Work of a object moving across surfaces with different friction

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The discussion centers on calculating the work required to move a 12 metric ton stone block either along a road with a lower coefficient of kinetic friction (0.12) or directly across fields with a higher friction (0.22). The total work along the road is calculated to be approximately 39.7 million joules, while the work for the direct route is about 28.3 million joules. Participants clarify that the initial calculations include work against gravity and that the frictional force must be subtracted to determine the net work needed. The conversation emphasizes understanding the role of friction in calculating work done on the block. Ultimately, the calculations highlight that the direct route, despite higher friction, requires less total work.
ac7597
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Homework Statement
Hetsut is the foreman of a construction project in ancient Egypt. He needs to move a giant block of stone, of mass 12 metric tons, from the docks to the temple grounds. He can go along the roads by travelling 295 meters east, then 89 meters north. Along the roads, the coefficient of kinetic friction between block and ground is 0.12.

"Excuse me, honored foreman," says one of the workmen, "but would it be better to take a short cut along a direct route, across the fields?" The foreman thinks for a moment -- he knows that the coefficient of kinetic friction between stone and dirt in the fields is higher, about 0.22.

How much work would the team have to do on the block to move it from rest at the docks to a position at rest at the temple grounds, if they go along the roads?

How much work would the team have to do on the block to move it from rest at the docks to a position at rest at the temple grounds, if they go straight across the fields?
Relevant Equations
work of gravity=mgH
12 metric ton=12000kg
straight length=(295^2+89^2)^(1/2)=308.13m
Homework Statement: Hetsut is the foreman of a construction project in ancient Egypt. He needs to move a giant block of stone, of mass 12 metric tons, from the docks to the temple grounds. He can go along the roads by traveling 295 meters east, then 89 meters north. Along the roads, the coefficient of kinetic friction between block and ground is 0.12.

"Excuse me, honored foreman," says one of the workmen, "but would it be better to take a short cut along a direct route, across the fields?" The foreman thinks for a moment -- he knows that the coefficient of kinetic friction between stone and dirt in the fields is higher, about 0.22.

How much work would the team have to do on the block to move it from rest at the docks to a position at rest at the temple grounds, if they go along the roads?

How much work would the team have to do on the block to move it from rest at the docks to a position at rest at the temple grounds, if they go straight across the fields?
Homework Equations: work of gravity=mgH
12 metric ton=12000kg
straight length=(295^2+89^2)^(1/2)=308.13m

work=mgH-u(mgH).
work to east=(12000kg)(9.8m/s^2)(295m)-(0.12)(12000kg)(9.8m/s^2)(295m)=30.5E6 J
work to north=(12000kg)(9.8m/s^2)(89m)-(0.12)(12000kg)(9.8m/s^2)(89m)=9.21E6 J
total work= 30.5E6 J+ 9.21E6 J= 39.7E6 J

work to straight=(12000kg)(9.8m/s^2)(308.13m)-(0.22)(12000kg)(9.8m/s^2)(308.13m)=28.3E6 J
 
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ac7597 said:
work to east=(12000kg)(9.8m/s^2)(295m)-(0.12)(12000kg)(9.8m/s^2)(295m)
I do not understand this calculation. Is the first term work against gravity? The block is not being hoisted up 295m. And why subtract work against friction?
 
Is it just the work of friction that the foreman will have to overcome?
(0.12)(12000kg)(9.8m/s^2)(295m) + (0.12)(12000kg)(9.8m/s^2)(89m)=work on the road

(0.22)(12000kg)(9.8m/s^2)(308.13m)=work straight to the temple
 
ac7597 said:
Is it just the work of friction that the foreman will have to overcome?
(0.12)(12000kg)(9.8m/s^2)(295m) + (0.12)(12000kg)(9.8m/s^2)(89m)=work on the road

(0.22)(12000kg)(9.8m/s^2)(308.13m)=work straight to the temple
Yes.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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