Work Required to Move a Piano Onto a Truck

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To calculate the work required to move a piano onto a truck using a frictionless ramp, the focus is on potential energy rather than kinetic energy, as the piano is pushed at a constant velocity. The relevant equation for potential energy is U = mgh, where m is the mass of the piano (1806.0 kg), g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s²), and h is the height of the truck bed (1.35 m). The work done is equal to the change in potential energy as the piano is raised to the height of the truck. The discussion clarifies that velocity is not a factor in this calculation since the piano is already moving at a constant speed. Therefore, the total work needed can be computed directly from the potential energy formula.
Aliyah Case
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Homework Statement


Movers must push a piano onto a truck, the bed of which is a height 1.35 m above the ground. To do this they will use a frictionless ramp. If the piano has a mass of 1806.0 kg and the movers push it up the slope at a constant velocity, how much work do they need to do on it to move it into the bed? Please provide your answer in kilo-Joules (kJ), as the amount of work should be quite large

Homework Equations


I know it involves kinetic and potential energy
K = (1/2)mv2
U = mgh

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm not sure how to calculate the velocity
 
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Aliyah Case said:
I'm not sure how to calculate the velocity
You do not need to worry about the velocity. The question is a little misleading: they mean how much more energy is needed assuming it starts up the ramp already at that velocity.
 
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