The problem involves calculating the minimum work done by a student who climbs an 8.0 m-high stairway, with a focus on the physics of work and force. The subject area includes concepts from mechanics, specifically relating to work-energy principles.
Some participants have provided hints and clarifications regarding the formulas for work and force, while others reflect on their understanding of the problem. There is an acknowledgment of a trick aspect to the question, but no explicit consensus on the final interpretation or solution.
Participants are navigating the implications of using different formulas and the role of distance in calculating work. There is a mention of the minimum work required being related to the force acting against gravity, but the discussion remains open-ended.
brentwoodbc said:I know
w=fd
f=ma
f=65x9.8
f=5096
but that doesn't have time or distance.
fluidistic said:It seems you got the answer!
The minimum work needed would be done by a force acting upward, in the opposite direction of the weight. Its magnitude would have to be greater than the weight, so >65 kg*9.8m/s^2 as you did.
You wrote w=fd, where w is the work, f is the force and d is the distance. Then you said that the formula doesn't have a distance?
Well you've done it :)