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
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around basic physics problems related to force and energy, specifically involving a block sliding down an incline and the motion of an object under the influence of a force. The problems require understanding of concepts such as kinetic energy, work, and acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the application of the work-energy theorem and question the definitions and calculations related to work and energy. There is discussion on the correct interpretation of forces and distances in the context of the problems.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the application of the work-energy theorem and the need to clarify the vertical distance in relation to the incline. There is ongoing exploration of the calculations and assumptions made in the attempts to solve the problems.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the correct application of physics principles, particularly in distinguishing between different types of work and the distances involved in the problems. There is a noted confusion regarding the interpretation of the incline's angle and the corresponding vertical height.

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).
 

Similar threads

Replies
29
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
6K
Replies
2
Views
2K