Calculating the Work Done by Normal Force on a Sliding Piano

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the work done by the normal force on a piano sliding down an incline. The scenario includes a 330-kg piano on a 28º incline, with a coefficient of kinetic friction provided, and a person pushing against the piano to prevent acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of the normal force and its implications for work done. Questions arise regarding the definition of work and the relationship between force, distance, and movement direction.

Discussion Status

Participants have explored the concept of work done by the normal force, with some asserting that the distance is zero, leading to no work being done. There is an ongoing examination of the definitions and implications of work in this context, with no explicit consensus reached.

Contextual Notes

There is a discussion about the orientation of forces and movement, particularly how the normal force acts vertically while the piano moves horizontally along the incline. The implications of acceleration on net work are also considered.

tica86
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A 330-kg piano slides 3.6 m down a 28º incline and is kept from accelerating by a man who is pushing back on it parallel to the incline. The effective coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.40

what is the work done by the normal force?

If someone could let know how to find FN,

would it be mgcos28??
 
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Workdone is F * distance.

Normal force as you said is mgcos28. But the distance is zero!
So no work is done by the normal force.
 
your Fn is correct
 
venkatg said:
Workdone is F * distance.

Normal force as you said is mgcos28. But the distance is zero!
So no work is done by the normal force.

Ok, I understand the definition of Work done but how do you know that the distance is zero?

Since the piano is sliding in the horizontal direction the 3.6 distance is horizontal and since normal force is vertical there is no distance??

If there was acceleration the net work done on the piano would NOT be 0 right?
 
tica86 said:
Ok, I understand the definition of Work done but how do you know that the distance is zero?

Since the piano is sliding in the horizontal direction the 3.6 distance is horizontal and since normal force is vertical there is no distance??

If there was acceleration the net work done on the piano would NOT be 0 right?

Yes the the normal force does not cause any movement and so distance is zero.
This is the case even if there was acceleration in the horizontal direction (in this case along the incline)
 
venkatg said:
Yes the the normal force does not cause any movement and so distance is zero.
This is the case even if there was acceleration in the horizontal direction (in this case along the incline)

Ok,thanks.
 

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