Works with coefficient of friction

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To calculate the minimum work needed to push a 1000 kg car up a 45-meter incline at a 12.5-degree angle, the work done against gravity can be determined using the formula W = mgh, where h is the vertical height. The vertical height can be found using trigonometry, and the effective coefficient of friction of 0.30 must be considered for the total work calculation. The discussion emphasizes that the work done by friction is calculated using the normal force and displacement. It is clarified that the change in potential energy equals the work done, as work in a gravitational field is independent of the path taken.
Echoeric666
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What is the minimum work needed to push a 1000 kg car up 45.0 meters up a 12.5 \circ degree incline?
a. Ignore Friction
b. Assume the effective coefficient of friction is 0.30.


Work: W = (F*d)cos\theta
Coefficient of friction: W = \muN(d)


What I did: W = (m*g)(d)cos\theta. (1000kg)(9.8m / s^2)(45.0m)cos(102.5)
= -95449.9 J = 9.5 X 10^4 J work done to push the car up.

Then, the work friction is doing to car:
W = 0.30(1000kg*sin(12.5)*9.8 m/s^2)(45m)? This is where I get stuck because I know work done by friction on ramp is \mu*normal force*displacement...
 
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Echoeric666 said:
What I did: W = (m*g)(d)cos\theta. (1000kg)(9.8m / s^2)(45.0m)cos(102.5)
= -95449.9 J = 9.5 X 10^4 J work done to push the car up.

The vertical distance the car must move is not 45cosθ. Recheck this component. When you get the vertical height 'h', it just becomes W=mgh

Echoeric666 said:
Then, the work friction is doing to car:
W = 0.30(1000kg*sin(12.5)*9.8 m/s^2)(45m)? This is where I get stuck because I know work done by friction on ramp is \mu*normal force*displacement...

What is the normal force at the angle θ ?
 
Sorry, I meant 45 meters up as displacement. So I used that displacement in W = (F*d)cos\theta as shown in post.

Also...you're saying if I find the height, I can use mgh to find works? (That potential energy is equal to work)?
 
Echoeric666 said:
Sorry, I meant 45 meters up as displacement. So I used that displacement in W = (F*d)cos\theta as shown in post.

Also...you're saying if I find the height, I can use mgh to find works? (That potential energy is equal to work)?

Yes since at the bottom there is only PE and at the top there will be only PE (since the mass will not be moving then), hence the change in PE will be the same as the work done. (This is because work done in a gravitational field in independent of path)
 
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