How Much Work Does a Mover Do to Push a Refrigerator Up a Ramp?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the work done by a mover using a dolly to push a refrigerator up a ramp. The refrigerator has a mass of 110 kg, and the ramp measures 2.1 m in length with a height of 0.42 m. The mover applies a constant force of 445 N. The correct formula for work in this context is W = F * d, where d is the distance along the ramp, which is 2.1 m, leading to a total work of 934.5 J, not the initially calculated 953.007 J.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts such as work and force.
  • Familiarity with the formula W = F * d for calculating work.
  • Knowledge of the Pythagorean theorem for determining distances in right triangles.
  • Basic grasp of Newton's laws of motion.
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the concept of work in physics, specifically in the context of inclined planes.
  • Study the application of the Pythagorean theorem in real-world scenarios.
  • Learn about the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration in Newtonian physics.
  • Explore examples of calculating work done by various machines, including ramps and pulleys.
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Students studying physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of work and energy in practical applications.

glasshut137
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Homework Statement



A mover's dolly is used to deliver a refrigerator up a ramp into a house. The refrigerator has a mass of 110 kg. The ramp is 2.1 m long and rises 0.42 m. THe mover pulls the dolly with constant velocity and with a steady force of 445 N up the ramp. The dolly and ramp constitute a machine. g=9.81/s^2

What work does the mover do?


The attempt at a solution

well i thought that this was a simple question. I used W=F*x using 445 N as F and 2.14 M as x which i got from using the pythagorean theorem. My final answer was 953.007 J but it was incorrect. Can someone help me understand what I'm doing wrong?
 
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You are told that the ramp is 2.1 m long. The ramp is not lying on the ground! The ramp is the hypotenuse of the right triangle. Looks to me like you should just have 445*2.1!
 

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