How Much Power is Needed to Push a Lawnmower at a Constant Speed?

  • Thread starter Thread starter xangel31x
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Power
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the power required for a gardener to push a 12 kg lawnmower at a constant speed of 1.2 m/s, with the handle tilted at 37 degrees and a coefficient of rolling friction of 0.15. The correct formula derived is Power = (1.2 m/s) * (12 kg) * (9.81 m/s²) / (cos(37°) / 0.15 - sin(37°)), resulting in a power output of approximately 29.91 Watts. The participants clarified the relationship between the force exerted by the gardener and the frictional forces acting on the lawnmower.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts such as force, friction, and power.
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions and their application in physics.
  • Knowledge of Newton's laws of motion, particularly in relation to constant velocity.
  • Ability to perform calculations involving mass, gravity, and angles.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of friction in physics, particularly rolling friction.
  • Learn about the application of trigonometric functions in resolving forces.
  • Explore the concept of power in mechanical systems and its calculations.
  • Investigate the effects of angle and weight on the force required to move objects.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, mechanical engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of force and power in practical scenarios, such as gardening or landscaping equipment operation.

xangel31x
Messages
14
Reaction score
0
1)A gardener pushes a 12 kg lawnmower whose handle is tilted up 37 degrees above horizontal. The lawnmower's coefficient of rolling friction is 0.15. How much power does the gardener have to supply to push the lawnmower at a constant speed of 1.2 m/s?


ok so i have tried this problem and still can't seem to get it right..

i am taking power to be equal to the force*velocity so i have been doing this

mass*gravity*cos(37)*friction*velocity=power...i have no idea what else to try. i need some suggestions...

i have tried finding mass*gravity*cos(37) and subtracting if from mass*gravity*friction and then multiplying that number by the velocity and that was wrong to.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
xangel31x said:
1)A gardener pushes a 12 kg lawnmower whose handle is tilted up 37 degrees above horizontal. The lawnmower's coefficient of rolling friction is 0.15. How much power does the gardener have to supply to push the lawnmower at a constant speed of 1.2 m/s?
From the problem statement:
{Mower Mass} = M = (12 kg)
{Handle Angle} = θ = (37 deg)
{Coeff Friction} = μ = (0.15)
{Speed} = v = (1.2 m/s)
{Gardener's Force on Mower} = F

Since the mower is moving at constant speed, the horizontal component of the gardener's force must exactly balance the horizontal friction force:
{Friction Force} = F*cos(θ)

The friction force will be derived from the combination of mower's weight and gardener's vertical force component:
{Friction Force} = μ*(M*g + F*sin(θ))

Equating the 2 above equations:
F*cos(θ) = μ*(M*g + F*sin(θ))
::: ⇒ F*cos(θ) = μ*M*g + μ*F*sin(θ)
::: ⇒ F*(cos(θ) - μ*sin(θ)) = μ*M*g
::: ⇒ F = μ*M*g/(cos(θ) - μ*sin(θ))
::: ⇒ F = M*g/(cos(θ)/μ - sin(θ))
::: ⇒ {Power} = F*v = v*M*g/(cos(θ)/μ - sin(θ))
::: ⇒ {Power} = (1.2 m/s)*(12 kg)*(9.81 m/sec^2)/(cos(37 deg)/(0.15) - sin(37 deg))
::: ⇒ {Power} = (29.91 Watts)


~~~
 
Last edited:
thank you for the help
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
14K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K