Solving Fun Ski Area Problem: 3.67x10^7 W

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the required motor power for a T-bar tow in a ski area, where multiple skiers are pulled up an inclined slope. The context includes parameters such as the number of skiers, slope length, angle, speed, and friction coefficient, along with the average mass of a skier.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of power using various equations and parameters, questioning the necessity of multiplying by the normal force and the implications of using the mass of one skier versus multiple skiers.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants expressing confusion about the application of certain calculations and the reasoning behind them. There is no clear consensus on the correct approach, and participants are exploring different interpretations of the problem setup.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework guidelines, which may limit the information they can use or the methods they can apply. There is also a mention of a discrepancy between the calculated answer and the expected result from a submission program.

Vanessa23
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[SOLVED] Fun ski area problem

Homework Statement



A T-bar tow is planned in a new ski area. At anyone time, it will be required, to pull a maximum of 82 skiers up a 609-m slope inclined at 14.1° above the horizontal at a speed of 2.37 m/s. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the skiers skis and the snow is typically 0.0600. As the manager of the facility, what motor power should you request of the construction contractor if the mass of the average skier is 66.0 kg. Assume you want to be ready for any emergency and will order a motor whose power rating is 54.0 percent larger than the bare minimum.

Homework Equations



N = mg cosθ
and
F = mg (sinθ + μcosθ)
and
Po = Fv

so solve for P in: P = (Po + .54 Po)N

The Attempt at a Solution



P=((66.0*82*g)*(sinΘ + .06cosΘ))*2.37) +
(.54)*((66.0*82*g)*(sinΘ + .06cosΘ))*2.37)

I then multiply the answer for P times (66.0*g*cosΘ)
Answer=3.67x10^7 W

The program we submit our answers to says that my answer is wrong. I don't know what I am doing wrong. Thank you for any help!
 
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Vanessa23 said:

The Attempt at a Solution



P=((66.0*82*g)*(sinΘ + .06cosΘ))*2.37) +
(.54)*((66.0*82*g)*(sinΘ + .06cosΘ))*2.37)
This seems reasonable.

I then multiply the answer for P times (66.0*g*cosΘ)
Why?? P is your answer.
 
Our professor went over the problem in class and said we should multiply it by N and N is mg*cos(theta). He said that when we figure out N we should use the mass of only one skier.
 
Sorry, but that makes no sense to me at all. It won't even have the correct units.
 

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