Work done by kinetic frictional force

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the work done by kinetic friction when a refrigerator is pulled across a surface. The correct work done by the pulling force is confirmed as 3066.05 J. The initial calculations for the work done by kinetic friction were incorrect due to miscalculating the normal force, which must account for the vertical component of the applied force. The correct frictional force is determined to be 188.3 N, leading to a work done by friction of -1798 J. Understanding the relationship between the applied force components and the normal force is crucial for accurate calculations.
Jacque77
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Homework Statement


Answer
Chapter 6, Problem 73 Cutnell & Johnson 7th edition
A 356 N force is pulling an 90.2-kg refrigerator across a horizontal surface. The force acts at an angle of 25.6 ° above the surface. The coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.258, and the refrigerator moves a distance of 9.55 m. Find (a) the work done by the pulling force, and (b) the work done by the kinetic frictional force.
(a)
Number
3066.050223272106 Units J
(b)
Number
-1798.985720775539 Units J

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First : sig figs are turned off in my course. The listed answers have to be within 2%. Please no lectures about sig fig. In any other course I obey the rules. ;)

Incorrect.

(a) Number 3066.050223 Units J (is correct)

(b) Number -1964.181362 Units J (is incorrect)

The 3066.050223J work for the part (a) is correct. Part (b) is the incorrect part I need help with.
Wf = Ff*d*cos 25.6 where Ff = μ*m*g
so 0.258*90.2*-9.8*9.55*cos 180 = -2178 J
0.258*90.2*-9.8*9.55*cos 25.6 = -1964.181362
I've exceeded the 3 tries and can see the correct answer of -1798.985720775539, but have no idea how that was arrived at. The hint given with the problem says to set ΣFy = 0 before considering the Wf . ??
What am I doing wrong?






Homework Equations


W= F*D cos 25.6
Wf = Ff*d*cos 25.6 where Ff = μ*m*g
FN = mg = weight of the refrigerator


The Attempt at a Solution



W done by pulling force
W= F*D cos 25.6
W= 356N*9.55m*cos 25.6 = 3066.050223J

work done by the frictional force is
.258*90.2*9.8*9.55*cos 180 = -2178J

0.258*90.2*-9.8*9.55*cos 25.6 = -1964.181362 is incorrect. The correct answer is -1798.985720775539. ?How?
 
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Is there a y componet to the 356 N force as well as an x componet?
 
the 90.2 cos 25.6 considers the y. The 9.55 m moved is the x
 
Jacque77 said:
Wf = Ff*d*cos 25.6 where Ff = μ*m*g
This is incorrect:
(1) When using W = F*d*cos(theta), theta is the angle between the force and the displacement. In this case the force (friction) is horizontal and so is the displacement.
(2) Ff = μ*N, but N is not simply mg. You need to consider the effect of the vertical component of the applied force.
 
The normal reaction force exerted on the refrigerator,
FN = mg - F sin 25.6 = 90.2x9.8 - 356x0.432
= 884 - 154 = 730 N.
Force of friction,
f = μ FN = 0.258 x 730
=188.3 N
along the horizontal surface, but opposite to displacement.

Work done by the frictional force,
Wf = f.S = - f.S cos 180 = -f.S
= - 188.3 x9.55 = - 1798. J
 
Now you've got it.
 
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