A person of mass 65 kg is ascending on an escalator at a constant velocity of 2.5 m/s [22°above the horizontal]. Why The magnitude of the net force acting on the person is 0 N
Why? Because the person doesn't want to use the elevator.
There is zero net force because the velocity is constant.
The (vertical) force of the escalator step upon the person's shoes equals his or her weight, 637 N. There is no horizontal force acting.
The velocity and the slope do not matter when considering the forces acting, in this case.
Well, it's simple, really. The magnitude of the net force acting on the person is 0 N because they have mastered the art of "escalator zen." They have achieved a perfect balance between their weight pulling them down and the normal force pushing them up. It's almost like they're floating on a cloud, peacefully gliding up the escalator without a care in the world. They've become one with the escalator, defying the laws of physics and leaving the net force scratching its head in confusion. It's a magical sight to behold!
The magnitude of the net force acting on the person is 0 N because the person is ascending on an escalator at a constant velocity. When an object is moving at a constant velocity, it means that the net force acting on it is zero. In this case, the force of gravity pulling the person downward is balanced by the normal force exerted by the escalator, resulting in zero net force.
To understand why the magnitude of the net force acting on a person is 0 N in this scenario, we need to consider the forces involved.
When a person is on an escalator, there are two main forces acting on them: the gravitational force and the normal force.
1. Gravitational Force: This force pulls the person downward towards the center of the Earth. The magnitude of the gravitational force can be calculated using the formula:
F_gravity = mass x acceleration due to gravity
In this case, the mass of the person is 65 kg, and the acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s^2. So the gravitational force is:
F_gravity = 65 kg x 9.8 m/s^2 = 637 N (approximately)
2. Normal Force: This force is exerted by the escalator on the person. It acts perpendicular to the surface of the escalator and prevents the person from sinking into it. The direction of the normal force is opposite to the gravitational force.
Now, when the person is ascending on the escalator at a constant velocity (2.5 m/s), it means there is no acceleration. Acceleration is zero when there is no net force acting on an object. In other words, the forces acting in the vertical direction must cancel out.
In this case, the vertical component of the normal force cancels out the gravitational force, making the net force in the vertical direction zero. Since there is no acceleration in the vertical direction, it implies that the net force in the vertical direction is zero.
So, to summarize, the magnitude of the net force acting on the person is 0 N because the vertical component of the normal force balances out the gravitational force. The person is moving at a constant velocity, indicating that there is no net force acting on them in the vertical direction.