How to Calculate Maximum Angle for Ramps in Supermarkets | Basic Physics Help

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the maximum angle for supermarket ramps, the force applied to push a 30kg grocery cart should not exceed 20N. The relevant equations involve gravitational force and the sine of the angle, leading to the equation mg*sin(theta) = Fapp. The expected answer for the maximum angle is 5.9 degrees, but some users are struggling to arrive at this result, with one participant calculating an angle of 3.9 degrees. Discussions focus on ensuring calculators are set correctly and verifying the equations used, as well as the assumption of ignoring friction. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly applying basic physics principles to achieve the desired outcome.
AfroQueen
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Homework Statement


in the design of a spermarket there are to be several ramps connecting different parts of the store. customers will have to push grocery cats up the ramps and it is obviously desirable that this is not be too difficult. The engineer has done a survey and found that almost no noe complains if the force directed up the ramp is no more than 20N. Ignoring friction at what maximum angle (theta) should the ramps be built assuming a full 30kg grocery cart.


Homework Equations


F=mg
mg sin(theta)= Fapp
Fapp= force applied=20N

The Attempt at a Solution


ok i understand this question or so i thought but every time i try to work it out i don't get the answer which is supposed to be 5.9 degrees... Here's my work
F=mg
F=30*9.8
F=294N

mg *sin(theta)=20N
294*sin(theta)=20N
sin(theta)=.068027
theta=3.9 ?
 
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How did you create your second equation?
 
The answer must be a mistake..
You're work appears fine to me.
 
hyemal.zephyr said:
How did you create your second equation?

the secondd equation comes because friction is ignored in this problem so in the equation mg*sin(theta)-(static kinetic energy)*cos(theta) the static kinetic energy doesn't apply so you can think of it as 0... so you're left with mg*sin(theta) and since you need to make sure that the customers don't exceed a certain force (because they will complain) i set that equation equal to that certain force and that would give you the maximum angle...
 
Maybe_Memorie said:
The answer must be a mistake..
You're work appears fine to me.

thats what i keep saying to myself but my friend said she was able to get the same answer as the one provided in the book...
 
is your calculator in the correct mode?
 
Chip90 said:
is your calculator in the correct mode?

yeahi tried it in degree mode and i tried just putting it into radian mode and then just converting but i still get the same wrong answer...
 
Chip90 said:
is your calculator in the correct mode?

also do you think its has anything to do with my work?
or equations?
 

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