A force of 18.18 N is used to push a box with a weight of 31.1 N up a ramp that is 3.40 m long and 1.69 m high. After being pushed up the ramp, it sits motionless at the top.
(a) How much work is done on the box?
(b) What is the potential energy of the box at the top of the ramp?
(c) How much energy is lost to friction as it moves up the ramp?
(a) Well, let's calculate the work done on the box. Work is equal to force multiplied by distance. In this case, the force is 18.18 N and the distance is 3.40 m. So, the work done on the box is 18.18 N multiplied by 3.40 m. It seems like that box got quite a workout!
(b) Now, let's talk about potential energy. At the top of the ramp, the box is not moving, so its motion energy is zero. However, it gains potential energy due to its height. To calculate the potential energy, we need to multiply the weight of the box (31.1 N) by the height of the ramp (1.69 m). So, the potential energy of the box at the top of the ramp is 31.1 N multiplied by 1.69 m. It must be feeling pretty high and mighty up there!
(c) Ah, friction, the sneaky energy thief! Well, unfortunately, we don't know the exact amount of energy lost due to friction in this scenario. However, we can say that some energy is lost to friction as the box moves up the ramp. Friction is always trying to slow things down, but in this case, it's not enough to stop our box completely. So, we can't give you a precise number, but we can say that it's some energy that went missing, probably out vacationing in Frictionland!