Is c) the correct answer for this Mechanical Energy problem?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on a Mechanical Energy problem where the correct answer is debated. The main argument is that as the object moves up the ramp, it slows down due to friction and gravity while gaining potential energy. Participants note that the net force direction is unclear, affecting whether kinetic energy is increasing or decreasing. The conclusion emphasizes that the mechanical energy's change depends on the object's movement direction on the ramp. Overall, the problem illustrates the complexities of energy dynamics in the presence of opposing forces.
temaire
Messages
275
Reaction score
0
[SOLVED] Mechanical Energy problem

Homework Statement


http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/7201/dynamics3oi8.jpg


Homework Equations


E_{m}=E_k + E_p


The Attempt at a Solution


I think that the answer to the problem is c), because as the object is moving up, it is slowing down because it has to work against friction and gravity. Also, as the object moves up, it gains height, and therefore gains potential energy. Am I right?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Can anyone help?
 
If there's a net force up the ramp then it has to be accelerating, and therefore KE is increasing.
 
we don't know where the net force is pointing though, because we don't know the magnitude of all the forces.

the answer depends on whether the forces cause the ball to move up or down the ramp. either way the kinetic energy will be increasing since it was motionless a moment before.

the mechanical energy will be increasing/decreasing depending which way the ball moves.
 
Thanks dylan.
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top