Solve a Simple Work Problem and Find Out Why You're Wrong

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the work done on a bucket being raised in a well, with a focus on understanding the forces involved and the resulting work calculation. The subject area includes concepts of mechanics, specifically work and energy in the context of gravitational forces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the work done by considering the gravitational force acting on the bucket and the distance it is raised. Some participants affirm the original poster's calculation while questioning the validity of an alternative answer provided.

Discussion Status

The discussion reflects a mix of affirmation regarding the original poster's approach and skepticism towards the alternative answer of 3.6 J. Participants are engaging in verifying the correctness of the calculations without reaching a definitive consensus.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted discrepancy between the original poster's calculated work and the alternative answer presented, leading to confusion about the correct interpretation of the problem.

Laban
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Hello :)
I must have missed something. This problem is extremely simple and yet I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. Really frustrating!

The problem:
A bucket of mass 6.75 kg hangs in a well at the end of a rope. The rope passes over a frictionless pulley at the top of the well, and you pull horizontally on the end of the rope to raise the bucket slowly a distance of 4 m.

How much work do you do on the bucket in pulling it up?

My Guess
Since you need to raise the bucket, you need to pull with a force that equals the downwards gravitational force on the bucket. This is 6.75*9.8 = 66.15 N.
Now you pull it a distance of 4 m. This is 66.15*4 = 264.6 J.

But this is wrong! It's supposed to be 3.6 J


What am I supposed to do, and more importantly, why is what I'm doing wrong? This is supposed to be so simple >.<
 
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It is simple and you're doing it correctly. That 3.6 J answer is bogus.
 
You have solved the problem correctly. 3.6 J is incorrect.
 
I sure hope you're both right. Thanks!
 

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