Find the power of a man running (work and potential energy)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the power of a man running, focusing on concepts of work and potential energy. Participants explore the relationship between work done, force, and kinetic energy in the context of a physics problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of the work-energy theorem and the relationship between work and kinetic energy. There are attempts to clarify the calculation of force and distance, with some questioning the assumptions made regarding the man's weight and running speed.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various approaches being explored. Some participants have offered guidance on using the work-energy theorem, while others are questioning the initial assumptions and calculations regarding distance and force.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of potential misinterpretations regarding the man's weight, with references to both 10 kg and a possible misreading of 70 kg. Additionally, the specification of "work" in the problem is questioned.

Jujubee37
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Homework Statement
A man that weighs 10 kg starts at rest and takes 5 seconds to achieve a a speed of 3 m/s. how much power did the man produce?
Relevant Equations
W=(f)(d)
p=w/t
I started of by trying to find the work for I got stuck because I did not know how to solve for the Force. I solved for the distance by doing 3=d/5s which gave me 15m. but then I couldn't figure out where to go next in the problem because I don't know how to solve for (f) so an explanation would be greatly appreciated thanks.
 
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Use the work energy theorem, the total work will be equal to the final kinetic energy.
 
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Delta2 said:
Use the work energy theorem, the total work will be equal to the final kinetic energy.
would that be FD=1/2mv^2 ?
 
i suppose by FD you mean the work W=Fd? then yes.
 
10 kg is a very small man, weighs or not.
 
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Delta2 said:
i suppose by FD you mean the work W=Fd? then yes.
Okay thank you I got it I think. 9 W
 
Your original approach will also work, ie by looking for the force (find the acceleration first) BUT only if you calculate the dstance correctly - what you've done there assumes that he was running at 3 ms⁻1 for the whole time.
 
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Jujubee37 said:
Okay thank you I got it I think. 9 W
Yes, but finding distance and work is more than a little roundabout. Was "work" specified in the problem ?
 
Last edited:
rsk said:
10 kg is a very small man, weighs or not.
Perhaps a misreading of 70kg?
 

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