/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 42 An assistant for the football te... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

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An assistant for the football team carries a \(30-\mathrm{kg}\) cooler of water from the top row of the stadium, which is \(20 \mathrm{~m}\) above the field level, down to the bench area on the field. (a) If the speed of the cooler is constant throughout the trip, calculate the work done by the assistant. (b) How much work is done by the force of gravity on the cooler of water?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The work done by the assistant is \(5880\, \mathrm{J}\), and the work done by the force of gravity is also \(5880\, \mathrm{J}\) but in the opposite direction.

Step by step solution

01

Calculate the work done by the assistant

Given the weight of the cooler is \(30 \mathrm{kg}\) and the height it is being carried through is \(20 \mathrm{m}\), the assistant is working against gravity to carry the cooler. As the cooler's speed is constant, the work done by the assistant is the same as the work done by gravity but in opposite direction. Thus, the assistant must exert a force equal to the weight of the cooler to prevent it from accelerating downwards. The weight can be calculated using the formula: Weight = mass \(\times\) gravity Where g (gravity) is approximately \(9.8 \mathrm{m/s}^{2}\). Therefore the work done by the assistant, W, can be given by the formula: W = force \(\times\) distance Force here is the weight of the cooler (mass \(\times\) gravity), and the distance is \(20 \mathrm{m}\).
02

Calculate the work done by gravity

The work done by gravity can be calculated by the same formula as in step 1, i.e. work W = force \(\times\) distance. The force acting on the cooler is the force caused by gravity, which is equal to the weight of the cooler (mass \(\times\) gravity), and the distance is the same \(20 \mathrm{m}\). The direction of the force of gravity is the same as the displacement, so no negative sign is needed in this case.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Work Done by Gravity
When we talk about the work done by gravity, we are considering how gravity affects an object as it moves a certain distance. In physics, work is defined as the product of force and displacement in the direction of the force. Gravity, being a constant force acting downwards, is calculated using the formula:
\[\text{Weight} = \text{mass} \times \text{gravity}\]Here, gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s². So, for our cooler weighing 30 kg:
  • Weight = 30 kg \( \times \) 9.8 m/s² = 294 N
The work done by gravity is then:
\[W = \text{force} \times \text{distance} = 294 \text{ N} \times 20 \text{ m} = 5880 \text{ J}\]Gravity does positive work because the cooler moves in the direction of the gravitational force. This means gravity helps in moving the cooler downwards, using its weight and the displacement.
Constant Speed
Maintaining a constant speed while moving an object means that the net force acting on the object is zero. In our scenario, the assistant is carrying the cooler down 20 meters without changing its speed. It’s crucial because:
  • The force applied by the assistant must equal the opposing force of gravity.
  • This balance prevents acceleration, ensuring constant speed.
When forces are balanced:
- No additional force is required to change the speed. - Energy is spent to counteract gravity without altering motion speed.
This ultimately means that the overall energy expenditure by the assistant is equal to the work required to just hold the cooler from accelerating due to gravity.
Force and Distance
In physics, understanding the relationship between force and distance is crucial when calculating work. Work is done when a force causes an object to move over a distance. The key points include:
  • Force applied is responsible for the change or prevention of motion.
  • Distance over which the force acts is a critical factor in work done.
For the cooler:
- Force needed to hold the cooler is its weight (mass \( \times \) gravity).- Distance is the vertical displacement (20 m in this case).
The combination of force and distance gives us the work done using the formula:
\[W = \text{force} \times \text{distance}\]So, understanding both parameters perfectly informs us how energy is transferred or altered within the system, especially in scenarios involving gravity.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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