Calculating Work and Friction on a Crate on an Incline

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating work done by gravitational force and the increase in internal energy due to friction for a crate being pulled up an incline. The context includes forces acting on the crate, friction, and energy transformations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to solve part (b) of the problem but expresses uncertainty about what is being asked. Some participants suggest considering the relationship between work done by friction and internal energy.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the concept of work and its implications for internal energy. There is no explicit consensus, but some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between work done by friction and internal energy increase.

Contextual Notes

The original poster has provided a specific numerical answer for part (a) but is seeking clarification for part (b). The discussion includes a focus on definitions and interpretations of work and energy in the context of the problem.

Sheneron
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Homework Statement


A crate of mass 10.6 kg is pulled up a rough incline with an initial speed of 1.48 m/s. The pulling force is 104 N parallel to the incline, which makes an angle of 20.1° with the horizontal. The coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.400, and the crate is pulled 5.05 m.

(a) How much work is done by the gravitational force on the crate?
(b) Determine the increase in internal energy of the crate-incline system due friction.

The Attempt at a Solution



I have solved part A, and I got -180 J. I need help on B. I really don't know what the question is looking for. Thanks
 
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Increase in internal energy is decrease in kinetic energy.
 
It may be easier to think about it in terms of the definition of work done by a force. That is,

[tex]W = \int Fds[/tex]

where the work done by friction rubs the molecules beneath the crate and heats it up, hence an increase in internal energy.
 
So do I need to find the Work that is done by friction?
 

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