How do I find the work and power if I have a mass in Newtons?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating work and power in the context of climbing stairs, specifically focusing on the conversion of weight from pounds to Newtons and the application of gravitational acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate work by converting their weight into Newtons and applying gravitational acceleration, but questions arise regarding the necessity of multiplying by 9.8 m/s² after conversion.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively questioning the original poster's calculations and assumptions, particularly regarding unit conversions and the application of gravitational acceleration. Some guidance has been offered about the correct interpretation of units and the relationship between force and work.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on ensuring all units are clearly stated, and confusion exists around the conversion factors used for weight and the implications of applying gravitational acceleration in the context of work calculation.

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Im trying to find my work when climbing up stairs. If I convert my weight into Newtons, do I still need to multiply it by 9.8? Since i weigh 135, I multiplied that by 4.5 to get my weight in Newtons. I then multiplied that by 9.8, after that I multiplied that by 3.0 m ( the distance of the stairs). I got a really big number

that okay?
 
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Why did you multiply by 4.5? 135 what?
 
135 pounds

1pound=4.45 Newtons
 
So then why did you multiply by 9.8 again if you already have your weight in Newtons?
 
No, it's not ok. You only put units on the height of the stairs. Put units on EVERYTHING. You weight 135? 135 what? I'm guessing lbs. Don't make me guess. So then 135lb*4.5N/lb=607N is already a force unit (Newtons=kg*m/sec^2). I'm guessing when you said 9.8 you mean 9.8m/sec^2. Work is force times distance. Is 607N*9.8m/sec^2 even a force unit? Can you answer your own question? "If I convert my weight into Newtons, do I still need to multiply it by 9.8?". Yes or no?
 
no, you dont..

okay, thanks

let me change my data

thanks
 

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