Where should I begin with this problem?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the work done by a person pushing a crate and the work done by friction while moving the crate at constant speed. The context includes concepts from mechanics, specifically relating to forces, friction, and work-energy principles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between force, displacement, and work, with one participant attempting to calculate the work done using the frictional force. Questions arise regarding the accuracy of the calculations and the significance of the results.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the calculations related to work done by both the person and friction. Some guidance has been offered regarding the interpretation of the results and the importance of significant figures, but no consensus has been reached on the correct approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may include specific requirements for significant figures and the interpretation of work done in different contexts.

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Homework Statement



You are pushing a 150-kg wooden crate in a straight line a distance of 4.5 m across a wooden floor at constant speed. The static and kinetic coefficients of friction are 0.42 and 0.30, respectively. What is the work done by you on the crate? and What is the work done by friction on the crate?

I understand that with constant speed meas that my acceleration is zero, but after that I am lost.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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Show your work.
 
ok here's what I did work is W=F*s.

I multiply 0.30(kinetic energy) because the crate is in motion by 150kg by 9.81m/s^2 which gave me 441.45N as my frictional force. Now I have my force I will multiply it by my displacement to give me my work.

441.45N*4.5m= 1986.525J.

I did it and submitted the answer and received a 1/10 from this problem. What did I do wrong?
 
jimmyboykun said:
ok here's what I did work is W=F*s.

I multiply 0.30(kinetic energy) because the crate is in motion by 150kg by 9.81m/s^2 which gave me 441.45N as my frictional force. Now I have my force I will multiply it by my displacement to give me my work.

441.45N*4.5m= 1986.525J.

I did it and submitted the answer and received a 1/10 from this problem. What did I do ##wrong?
Your solution seems fine for "work done by you". "work done by friction" would be negative of the calculated value. Also note that your answer should have only two significant figures. That means answer should have been ##2.0~kJ##. This could be the reason you were marked down.
 

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