How much work done by friction? (coefficient given)

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the work done by friction on a crate being pushed up an inclined plane. The crate's weight is given, along with the coefficient of friction, but the participant expresses uncertainty about how to apply this information, particularly regarding the concept of friction and its calculation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the formula for friction and the need to calculate the normal force. There are questions about the distance the crate is pushed and how to apply the given coefficient of friction in the context of the problem.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on calculating the force of friction and suggested using the known weight and coefficient. However, there remains a lack of clarity regarding the application of these concepts, particularly for the original poster, who has not been supplied with all necessary information.

Contextual Notes

The original poster has indicated that they have not learned about the coefficient of friction in class, which may impact their understanding of the problem. Additionally, there is a mention of a distance of 5m being relevant, but it is unclear how this integrates into the calculations being discussed.

Lothar
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Hello everyone,
I've been working on this problem for the last hour and a half. My teacher has asked us to calculate the work done by friction on an inclined plane. This is the problem:
A worker pushes a crate weighing W = 95 N up an inclined plane. The worker pushes the crate horizontally, parallel to the ground, as illustrated in Figure 10-21.
physics.gif

(c) The coefficient of friction is µ = 0.20. How much work is done by friction? (Be careful with the signs you use.)

How do I do this? We have not learned anything about coefficient of friction in my class.

Thank you
 
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I don't know why you continue in this thread, since I answered you in the other thread...

Friction = coefficient of friction * Normal force

So I would say, calculate the normal force, use the given coefficient of friction and there you have it. W=Fs, so multiply by s to find the work done by the force of friction.
 
Hi Lothar,

You first need to calculate the force exerted due to friction, the equation for this can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friction

Have you been supplied with a distance that the crate is pushed?
 
@ ImAnEngineer
I understand that that is the formula. I don't know how to use it though. And I moved this to a new topic because I new that people would back away from a long topic (my last one), and if they did click it, they would not spend the time reading all the way to my new question.

@ astrorob
No I was not supplied with a distance. I put all information known in the first post.
I do have the amount of work done by friction though, as well as the amount of work done if a man pushes at a certain force.
 
astrorob said:
Hi Lothar,
Have you been supplied with a distance that the crate is pushed?
It's in the figure; 5m.

Lothar said:
@ ImAnEngineer
I understand that that is the formula. I don't know how to use it though.
How could you not understand how to use it? Just fill it in... Or do you not know how to find the normal force? In that case, how about drawing the resultant vector of F and W first?
 

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