Finding the change in K.E. G.P.E ignored?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving the change in kinetic energy of a crate being pulled up an incline, with considerations of forces acting on it, including friction and gravitational effects.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between work done by forces and changes in kinetic and potential energy, questioning why gravitational potential energy is not explicitly accounted for in the solution key.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights into the relationship between work done and energy changes, suggesting that the work done against gravity should also be considered. There is an acknowledgment of confusion regarding the treatment of gravitational potential energy in the context of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing the implications of the problem's setup, including the forces acting on the crate and the assumptions made regarding energy changes. There is a focus on understanding the definitions and relationships between kinetic energy, potential energy, and work done.

Icetray
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Hi guys! Just a little confused on the solution provided.

Homework Statement



A crate of mass 10.0 kg is pulled up a rough incline with an initial speed of 1.50 m/s. The
pulling force is 100 N parallel to the incline, which makes an angle of 20.0° with the horizontal.
The coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.400, and the crate is pulled 5.00 m.

(d) What is the change in kinetic energy of the crate?

Homework Equations



Change in word done = Fs - mgsin[itex]\Theta[/itex]s - friction

I understand this part but I want to know why the solution key takes this change as the change in kinetic energy itself. Isn't there a gain in G.P.E. as well?

Thanks for the help!
 
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Icetray said:
Change in word done = Fs - mgsin[itex]\Theta[/itex]s - friction

I understand this part but I want to know why the solution key takes this change as the change in kinetic energy itself. Isn't there a gain in G.P.E. as well?

Thanks for the help!

The work done by all forces is

Fs - mgsin[itex]\Theta[/itex]s - (work of friction)=ΔKE

The term -mgsin[itex]\Theta[/itex]s is the work of gravity, and the opposite is the change of the gravitational potential energy, as
s*sin[itex]\Theta[/itex]=h, the height reached. You can rewrite the equation as ΔKE+ΔPE=Fs+(work of friction)
 
ehild said:
the work done by all forces is

fs - mgsin[itex]\theta[/itex]s - (work of friction)=Δke

the term -mgsin[itex]\theta[/itex]s is the work of gravity, and the opposite is the change of the gravitational potential energy, as
s*sin[itex]\theta[/itex]=h, the height reached. You can rewrite the equation as Δke+Δpe=fs+(work of friction)

Thanks! (: Haha I can't believe that I didn't realize that. :-X
 
Icetray said:
Thanks! (: Haha I can't believe that I didn't realize that. :-X

It is a pleasure if a student feels so:smile:.

ehild
 

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