Finding work from an inclined plane, basic question

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the work done on a 1.54 kg toy car accelerating down a 3.38 m ramp with a friction force of 1.31 N. The correct calculation of work involves considering the net force acting on the car, which includes both gravitational force and friction. The final answer for the work done is established as 13.3 J, correcting the initial miscalculation of 8.848 J. The user successfully resolves the issue by recognizing the importance of net force in the work calculation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Second Law (F=ma)
  • Knowledge of work-energy principles (W=Fd)
  • Familiarity with gravitational potential energy (Ep=mgh)
  • Basic concepts of friction (Fr=u*Fn)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of net force and its impact on work calculations
  • Learn about the relationship between acceleration, distance, and height in inclined planes
  • Explore advanced friction models and their effects on motion
  • Investigate energy conservation principles in mechanical systems
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding work and energy on inclined planes.

Curious&TheNon
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
A 1.54 kg green toy car accelerates at 1.70 m/s² down a ramp 3.38 m long. If the force of friction acting on the toy car is 1.31 N, how much work is done on the toy car to get it to the bottom of the ramp?

Formulas:
Ep=mgh
W=fd
F=ma
a=gh/d
Fr=u*Fn

I know the acceleration, mass, and distance. Using the formulas Ep=Fd I can do 1.54 * 1.7 * 3.38 which is 8.848 J but it isn't correct. I also tried finding the height of the ramp by using the formula a= gh/d and by getting height i can use the formula Ep= mgh but still 8.84. The right answer is 13.3 J but i don't see how. Help? please as soon as possible thanks guys!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Never mind totally forgot about net force! Problem solved (:
 

Similar threads

Calculating Work and Kinetic Energy on an Inclined Plane
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Inclined Planes, finding time from acceleration at an angle
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Determining Work Done by a Person on a Luggage
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Conservation of energy problem: Ball rolling down inclined plane and then through a loop-the-loop
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Questions Regarding a Cat Going Up a Ramp
  • · Replies 56 ·
2
Replies
56
Views
4K
How to find the work on an object on an inclined plane pulled with a rope
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Effects of changing the angle on an inclined plane
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
How is the minimum work needed to push a car up an inclined plane calculated?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Stopping Distance affected by Mass of Cart on Inclined Plane
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Finding the work done by a block
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K