How Do You Solve These Basic Physics Problems on Force and Energy?

  • Thread starter Thread starter nns91
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Energy Force
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on solving physics problems involving force and energy. For the first problem, participants emphasize the importance of using the work-energy theorem correctly, noting that the normal force does not contribute to work and that gravitational work should be calculated based on the vertical height corresponding to the incline. In the second problem, the correct approach involves calculating acceleration from the applied force and using it to derive velocity as a function of time. Clarifications are made regarding the distinction between the distance slid along the incline and the vertical height. Overall, the conversation highlights common misconceptions and the need for precise application of physics principles.
nns91
Messages
301
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement



1.A 6kg block slides down a frictionless incline making an angle of 60 degree with the horizontal.(a) What is the speed of the block after it has slid 1.5 if it starts from rest. (b) What is its speed after 1.5m if it starts with an initial speed of 2 m/s ?

2. A single force of 5 N acts in the x direction on an 8kg object. (a) If the object starts from rest at x=0 at time t=0, find its velocity v as a function of time.(b) write an expression for the power input as a function of time.(c) What is the power input of the force at time t= 3s



Homework Equations



W=KE
F=ma

The Attempt at a Solution



1. I use W=Kinetic energy to find v. I found down that Wtotal= Wgravity + Wnormalforce=102N.

Then I set 102=1/2 mv^2. But I got marked wrong. Any opinion ??

2. I use F=ma to find the acceleration then use acceleration as the slope of V(t) but I am wrong again. How should I do this ?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
nns91 said:

Homework Statement



1.A 6kg block slides down a frictionless incline making an angle of 60 degree with the horizontal.(a) What is the speed of the block after it has slid 1.5 if it starts from rest. (b) What is its speed after 1.5m if it starts with an initial speed of 2 m/s ?

2. A single force of 5 N acts in the x direction on an 8kg object. (a) If the object starts from rest at x=0 at time t=0, find its velocity v as a function of time.(b) write an expression for the power input as a function of time.(c) What is the power input of the force at time t= 3s

Homework Equations



W=KE
F=ma

The Attempt at a Solution



1. I use W=Kinetic energy to find v. I found down that Wtotal= Wgravity + Wnormalforce=102N.

Then I set 102=1/2 mv^2. But I got marked wrong. Any opinion ??

2. I use F=ma to find the acceleration then use acceleration as the slope of V(t) but I am wrong again. How should I do this ?

For 1.
If by "W" you mean kinetic energy, then Wgravity and Wnormalforce are meaningless.
And the energy is not measured in N but in joules.
I suppose you mean to write conservation of energy or work-energy theorem.
Either one will work. The normal force does not do any work (it's normal, right? this means perpendicular)
So, for example the work-energy theorem:
KE_final = KE_initial +Work
Work=mgh (work done by gravity)

For 2.
It seems OK so far. Show your work so we can see where is the mistake.
I assume that by using the acceleration as the slope of V(t) you mean V(t)=a*t.
 
2. So here is my work:

F=ma so a=F/m=5/8=0.625 m/s^2

v(t)=0.625t

Is that right ?
 
1. That's what I meant to say. So did I do it right or wrong ?

I got W=KE so 102=(mv^2)/2 and solve for v
 
nns91 said:
2. So here is my work:

F=ma so a=F/m=5/8=0.625 m/s^2

v(t)=0.625t

Is that right ?

Yes, so far it seems OK to me.
 
nns91 said:
1. That's what I meant to say. So did I do it right or wrong ?

I got W=KE so 102=(mv^2)/2 and solve for v

What is 102? From where do you get it ?
 
It is the gravitational force's work
 
You mean m*g*h?
m=5kg, g=10m/s (aprrox); That will give h=about 2 m??
It slides 1.5 m along the plane. What is the vertical distance corresponding to this?
Use the angle of the incline. Cannot be MORE than 1.5 m.
 
no.

I got W=m*g*sin60*2.

2 is the distance it slides, not the vertical
 
  • #10
nns91 said:
no.

I got W=m*g*sin60*2.

2 is the distance it slides, not the vertical

In the problem it says 1.5 m. So why 2?

When you multiply by Sin(60) you get the vertical distance. But it should be 1.5*Sin60.
I think you mixed the distance with the speed (2m/s).
 
Back
Top