Work done by man pushing a crate up a ramp, includin done on

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the work done by a man pushing a crate up a ramp, specifically focusing on the forces involved and the work done on both the crate and the man himself. The problem involves concepts from mechanics, particularly work and energy in the context of inclined planes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the appropriate strategy for resolving forces into x and y components and question whether to include the force of the crate on the man. There is also discussion about the work required to move the man alone up the ramp and the forces he is working against.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active with participants questioning the angle used in calculations and the implications of force direction. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between the applied force and the angle of the ramp, but no consensus has been reached on the correct approach to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of the work-energy theorem and the implications of different angles in their calculations. There is an emphasis on understanding the forces at play without definitive conclusions being drawn.

SDTK
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Homework Statement


Calculate work done by an 85 kg man who pushes a crate 4.00 m up a ramp at an angle 20 degrees to horizontal.
He exerts a force of 500N on the crate parallel to the ramp, and moves at constant speed.
Include the work that he does on the crate and on his body to get up the ramp.

Homework Equations


I need to find the Force with which he moves himself up the ramp in other to determine the work he does on his body.
I set up x and y components of the forces acting on the man to find the Force, and have come up with a negative magnitude.

--Is setting the x and y components for the forces acting on the man the appropriate strategy?
-- do I include the force of the crate on the man?

The Attempt at a Solution


file attached
 

Attachments

Physics news on Phys.org
Suppose for a moment that it was only the man on the ramp (no crate). What work is required to move him 4 meters up the ramp? What force is he working against? Hint: work-energy theorem.
 
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gneill said:
Suppose for a moment that it was only the man on the ramp (no crate). What work is required to move him 4 meters up the ramp? What force is he working against? Hint: work-energy theorem.

thank you
 
In your attached work you had this portion:
upload_2016-11-25_6-22-46.png


In the indicated equation what does the angle θ represent? Why did you set θ = 20° in the next line?
 
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Should angle θ be "0"
because the force applied is parallel to the angle of the ramp?

W =F d cos(θ) = 500 kg 4 m cos(0) = 2000 J , work done on crate
 
SDTK said:
Should angle θ be "0"
because the force applied is parallel to the angle of the ramp?

W =F d cos(θ) = 500 kg 4 m cos(0) = 2000 J , work done on crate
Yes. The force is applied in the same direction as the motion.
 

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