Mover Pushes 700 kg Piano up 9° Ramp - Force Calculation

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the force exerted by a mover on a 700 kg piano being pushed up a 9° ramp. The piano reaches a height of 3 m and a speed of 2 m/s. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the difference between net force and the force exerted by the mover, particularly in relation to gravitational forces.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use the work-energy principle to relate net force and the force exerted by the mover, questioning the validity of their calculations and the role of gravitational force.
  • Some participants discuss the concept of potential energy and its relation to the work done by gravity, suggesting that gravitational work cancels out with potential energy.
  • There is a recurring question about whether the mover must overcome the parallel component of gravitational force in addition to applying force for acceleration.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the forces involved. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between work done by the mover and gravitational potential energy, but no consensus has been reached on the correct interpretation of the forces at play.

Contextual Notes

The original poster is working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may impose specific methods or approaches to be used in the calculations. There is also an indication that the textbook provides a different answer, adding to the confusion regarding the problem setup.

Mr Davis 97
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Homework Statement


[/B]
A mover pushes a 700 kg piano from rest up a ramp with a 9° slope. The piano is traveling at 2 m/s when it is 3 m above the ground. How much force does the mover exert on the piano?

Homework Equations


[/B]
##W = \Delta K##

The Attempt at a Solution



I started with the equation ##F_{net}d\cos\theta = \frac{1}{2}mv^{2}##Then I solved for the net force: ##F_{net} = \displaystyle\frac{mv^{2}}{2d\cos\theta}##I then solved for displacement: ##d = \displaystyle\frac{3}{\sin9^{\circ}} = 19.2##Next, I found the net force: ##F_{net} = 73~N##This is the net force on the body, so I found the force that the mover exerted against gravity to find what he exerted, which came out to me ##1150~N##. However, this is this the incorrect answer. My textbook says that the correct answer is 73 N. But isn't this the net force on the body, and not the force that the mover exerts? Please explain what I am doing wrong.
 
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Even though gravity also does work, this work gets stored as potential energy in the system. So the work done by gravity simply cancels out with this potential energy.
 
paisiello2 said:
Even though gravity also does work, this work gets stored as potential energy in the system. So the work done by gravity simply cancels out with this potential energy.
I still don't understand why I am wrong. Doesn't the mover have to overcome the parallel force of gravity in addition to applying his own force to accelerate the piano?
 
Yes, but this is stored as potential energy in the system.

PEi + KEi +Work done by mover + Work done by gravity = PEf + KEf
0 + 0 + Work done by mover + (mgsinθ)(h/sinθ) = mgh + 1/2mv2
Work done by mover = 1/2mv2
 
Last edited:
Mr Davis 97 said:
I still don't understand why I am wrong. Doesn't the mover have to overcome the parallel force of gravity in addition to applying his own force to accelerate the piano?
For the initial acceleration more than 73N will need to be applied but that is not the question. You are only asked about the force needed when acceleration is zero.
 

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