# Work, energy and forces in a horizontal plane

1. Mar 11, 2009

### The Liberator

Thanks in advance guys, and it does not need to be treated as a high priority question.

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
This is not so much a homework question, as it is a query about a question that I am getting a wrong answer for (that is to the book's answer).

This is the straight question that the book gives me:

"A student supplies a constant force of 200 N at an angle of 60 degrees to the horizontal to pull a 50 kg object, initially at rest across a flat surface for 10 s. A constant frictional force acts on the mat, and the velocity after the 10 s is 3 ms-1"

The question asks how much work is done on the mat by the student?

2. Relevant equations
$$W = F * x * cosine (theta)$$

3. The attempt at a solution
I have substituted the values for cosine theta as 0.5, and F is 200 N, I tried to find the value for x, by using v * t = x, and substituted it as 3 * 10 = 30 m.

The answer that I found was 6 * 103 joules, and the book gave the answer as 1.28 * 103.

Last edited: Mar 11, 2009
2. Mar 11, 2009

### tiny-tim

Welcome to PF!

Hi The Liberator! Welcome to PF!
Nope … v is only the final velocity …

try one of the constant acceleration equations

3. Mar 11, 2009

### The Liberator

Ahhh, okay. thanks. I will do, then report back to see answers.

By the way, thanks for welcoming me here. :)

Edit:I looked at the links, and I am sorry, but I don't follow.

Last edited: Mar 11, 2009
4. Mar 11, 2009

### tiny-tim

The object starts at rest, and after t = 10s is moving at v =3 ms-1.

Its acceleration, a, is constant.

You should be able to find an equation connecting v t and a, so you can find the value of a, and then an equation connecting x and a, so you can find the value of x

5. Mar 11, 2009

### The Liberator

Oh, okay thanks. I understand now. :D

I think this one will do… $$v = u + at$$

I substituted the numbers and have it as 3 = 0 + 10a

I found a = 0.3 ms-2

and therefore [v2 = u2+ 2ax

Substituted the numbers and have it as 9 = 0 + 2 * 0.3 x

I found x = 15 m.

The only thing is my final answer is different to what the book says.

Thanks.

6. Mar 11, 2009

### tiny-tim

ah … got it … i wondered why they gave you the mass

the question asks for the work done on the mat, not on the object

(I assume the mat is fixed to the floor, and the object is moving across it)

so you have to calculate the friction force between the mat and the object (use good ol' Newton's second law, with the acceleration you found), and the work done by that

alternatively, use the work-energy theorem, and just subtract the energy gained by the object from the work done by the student

7. Mar 12, 2009

### The Liberator

Oh, I am very sorry, I miss-read the answer in the book. I actually do have the right answer now…

My working out:

$$W = F * x * cosine(theta)$$

W = 200 * 15 * 0.5

W = 1500 joules.

Thanks very much Tim.

Also, sorry for confusing you, but I also miss-used the wording, as the object is also the mat.

By the way, this is a solved problem. It can now have the solved icon thing on it.