Calculating Work Done on a Slope: Friction and KE

In summary, the conversation discusses whether the work done by friction can be assumed to be zero when a man is pushing a box up a slope with a constant speed. Some argue that it can only be assumed to be zero if the man is a neoconservative, while others mention that it depends on the frictional force and the distance traveled.
  • #1
disruptors
17
1
Hey ppl,

If you have a man pushing a box up a slope with a horizontal force at constant speed from distance a to b, can one assume the Work done by friction to be zero all the time since velocity is constant? or can one assume W(neoconservative)=change in U(gravitational PE) only, with change in KE=0...

Thanks
 
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  • #2
disruptors said:
can one assume W(neoconservative)=change in U(gravitational PE) only, with change in KE=0...

Yes, but only if the man is a neoconservative. :-p
 
  • #3
hahaha :smile:

disruptors said:
Hey ppl,

If you have a man pushing a box up a slope with a horizontal force at constant speed from distance a to b, can one assume the Work done by friction to be zero all the time since velocity is constant?

Well that would be true if the frictionnal force depended on the accelaration of the thing sliding on the surface. But it's usually not the case, and we can assume that the frictionnal force depends only on the weight of the box and on the coeficient of friction of the surface, such that f = Nµ = mgµ. So the work done by the fricton would have to be component of friction parallel to the surface times the distance b-a.
 

FAQ: Calculating Work Done on a Slope: Friction and KE

1. How do you calculate work done on a slope?

The work done on a slope is equal to the product of the applied force and the displacement of the object in the direction of the force. This can be represented by the equation W = Fd, where W is work, F is force, and d is displacement.

2. What is the role of friction in calculating work done on a slope?

Friction is a force that acts in the opposite direction of motion, resulting in a decrease in kinetic energy and an increase in thermal energy. In the context of calculating work done on a slope, friction must be taken into account as it is a force that resists the movement of an object and therefore affects the amount of work done.

3. How do you account for friction in work done on a slope?

To account for friction, the work done on a slope must be calculated using the net force acting on the object, which includes both the applied force and the force of friction. This can be represented by the equation W = (F + f)d, where f is the force of friction.

4. Can the work done on a slope ever be negative?

Yes, the work done on a slope can be negative if the net force acting on the object is in the opposite direction of the displacement. This means that the object is moving in the opposite direction of the applied force, resulting in a negative value for work.

5. How do you calculate the kinetic energy (KE) of an object on a slope?

The kinetic energy of an object on a slope can be calculated using the equation KE = 1/2mv^2, where m is the mass of the object and v is its velocity. This equation takes into account the object's mass and speed, both of which are affected by the slope and any forces acting on it.

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