Net work problem (attempted solution)

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the net work done on a 15.8 kg steamer trunk being dragged with a force of 90.9 N at an angle of 28.6 degrees over a distance of 22.8 m, with a coefficient of kinetic friction of 0.18. The initial calculations incorrectly assumed that the work done by gravity and the normal force was zero, which is not accurate since the trunk is moving horizontally. The correct approach involves considering the horizontal and vertical components of the pulling force and how they affect the frictional force. Participants emphasize the importance of calculating work as force multiplied by distance and accounting for the effects of the pulling angle on friction. The conversation highlights the need for clarity in understanding how different forces interact in this scenario.
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Homework Statement



You drag a(n) 15.8 kg steamer trunk over a rough surface by a constant force of 90.9 Nacting at an angle of 28.6? above the horizontal. You move the trunk over a distance of22.8 m in a straight line, and the coefficient ofkinetic friction is 0.18.
The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s2 .
How much is the work done on the block by the net force?

Homework Equations



Wnet=Wg+Wn+Wpull+Wfr
Wfr=Ffrxcosθ
Ffr=μFn

The Attempt at a Solution



Wg=mgxcos90=0
Wn=Fnxcos90=0

Wpull=Fpullxcosθ
=(90.9)(22.8)cos28.6
=1819.637276

Wfr=Ffrxcosθ Ffr=μFn=μmg
=(27.8712)(22.8)(cos180) =(.18)(15.8)(9.8)
=-635.46336 =27.8712

Wnet=Wg+Wn+Wpull+Wfr
=0+0+1819.637276-635.46336
=1184.173916

I have tried over and over and cannot get the right answer. If someone shows me where i went wrong...lifesaver
 
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The work done by gravity is not 0, it is only 0 if the direction of motion is horizontal. You need to find the component of gravity that is pulling the trunk down the slope.

Fg = mg is the force due to gravity, but the portion pulling it down the slope is small in comparison to the remainder of gravity pulling the trunk against the slope.
 
tyger_eyes said:

Homework Statement



You drag a(n) 15.8 kg steamer trunk over a rough surface by a constant force of 90.9 Nacting at an angle of 28.6? above the horizontal. You move the trunk over a distance of22.8 m in a straight line, and the coefficient ofkinetic friction is 0.18.
The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s2 .
How much is the work done on the block by the net force?

Homework Equations



Wnet=Wg+Wn+Wpull+Wfr
Wfr=Ffrxcosθ
Ffr=μFn

The Attempt at a Solution



Wg=mgxcos90=0
Wn=Fnxcos90=0

Wpull=Fpullxcosθ
=(90.9)(22.8)cos28.6
=1819.637276

Wfr=Ffrxcosθ Ffr=μFn=μmg
=(27.8712)(22.8)(cos180) =(.18)(15.8)(9.8)
=-635.46336 =27.8712

Wnet=Wg+Wn+Wpull+Wfr
=0+0+1819.637276-635.46336
=1184.173916

I have tried over and over and cannot get the right answer. If someone shows me where i went wrong...lifesaver

I'm not tracking how you are trying to solve it. Work = Force * Distance. So the work done is the force moving the trunk horizontally (the direction it is moving), multiplied by the distance it moves. The fact that the force is a vector acting up and sideways at an angle is significant for two reasons. What does the vertical component of the force do? What does the horizontal component do?
 
The trunk is on a horizontal surface, it is being pulled at an angle of 28.6 above the horizontal.

I am attempting to sum all the work and sum it together. The Wg and Wn are both zero since the trunk is only moving horizontally.
The work of the pull is:
Wpull=Fpullxcosθ
=(90.9N)(22.8m)cos28.6
=1819.637276 J
The work of friction is:
Wfr=Ffrxcosθ
=(27.8712N)(22.8m)(cos180)
=-635.46336
 
Last edited:
tyger_eyes said:
The trunk is on a horizontal surface, it is being pulled at an angle of 28.6 above the horizontal.

I am attempting to sum all the work and sum it together. The Wg and Wn are both zero since the trunk is only moving horizontally.
The work of the pull is:
Wpull=Fpullxcosθ
=(90.9N)(22.8kg)cos28.6
=1819.637276 J
The work of friction is:
Wfr=Ffrxcosθ
=(27.8712)(22.8)(cos180)
=-635.46336

You forgot distance in "Wpull=Fpullxcosθ"

Work is force * distance.

The force that is pulling horizontally is opposed by friction. I wouldn't call it work done be frition -- that's not generally how you think about it. Rather, you do work as you pull against the frictional force.

Also, remember that the upward component of your pulling force does something to change the frictional force...
 

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