Does a Slowing Piano Exert More Force Than the Man Pushing It?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the forces acting on a piano being pushed by a man, particularly when the piano is slowing down. The subject area includes concepts from classical mechanics, specifically Newton's laws of motion.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between the forces acting on the piano and the man, questioning whether the force on the piano increases as it slows down. There are references to Newton's Third Law and the implications of a frictionless slope on the scenario.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants raising questions about the underlying physics principles and the assumptions made regarding the forces involved. Some guidance is offered regarding the use of free-body diagrams to analyze the situation, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a frictionless slope, which may affect the dynamics of the problem and the forces at play. The original poster expresses confusion about the correct interpretation of the forces involved.

mancity
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Homework Statement
A piano is rolling down a frictionless slope at an ever increasing speed. The piano tuner sees it, slowing it down to a constant speed. The magnitude of the force on the man by the piano is F_MP; the magnitude of the force on the man by the man is F_PM. If we compare these forces, we find
(A) F PM > F MP always.
(B) F PM > F MP while the piano slows down but F PM = F MP when the piano is moving at constant speed.
(C) F PM = F MP always.
(D) F PM = F MP while the piano slows down but F PM > F MP when the piano is moving at constant speed.
Relevant Equations
Newton's third law
Albeit the simple question, I am a bit confused on whether the correct answer choice is (B) or (C). When the piano is slowing down, shouldn't the force received by the piano be a bit greater than the force received by the man?
 
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Why do you think otherwise?
 
mancity said:
Homework Statement: A piano is rolling down a frictionless slope at an ever increasing speed. The piano tuner sees it, slowing it down to a constant speed.
If the slope is frictionless the piano tuner will slide and will be unable to slow down the piano.
 
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mancity said:
When the piano is slowing down, shouldn't the force received by the piano be a bit greater than the force received by the man?
Draw well-separated free-body diagrams of piano and the man. Note that the net force on both the man and the piano are nonzero.
 

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