FIGURE 8-1
-You need to load a crate of mass m onto the bed of a truck. One possibility is to lift the crate straight up over a height h, equal to height of the truck's bed. The work done in this case is W₁. The other possibility is to slide the crate up the frictionless ramp of length L as shown in Fig. 8-1. In this case you perform work W₂. What statement is true?

Question

FIGURE 8-1

-You need to load a crate of mass m onto the bed of a truck. One possibility is to lift the crate straight up over a height h, equal to height of the truck's bed. The work done in this case is W₁. The other possibility is to slide the crate up the frictionless ramp of length L as shown in Fig. 8-1. In this case you perform work W₂. What statement is true?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The work done in lifting the crate straight up is equal to the work done in sliding the crate up the frictionless ramp. This is because the work done in lifting the crate is equal to the change in its gravitational potential energy, which is equal to mgh. The work done in sliding the crate up the ramp is equal to the change in its kinetic energy, which is also equal to mgh. Therefore, W₁ = W₂.

FIGURE 8-1 -You Need to Load a Crate of Mass M onto Mass