A pile driver drives a post into the ground.The mass of the pile driver is 2,700 kg and it is dropped through a height of 8.0 m on each stroke.If the resisting force of the ground is 3.0 × 10⁶ N,how far is the post driven in on each stroke?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The potential energy of the pile driver is converted into work done against the resisting force. The potential energy is mgh = 2,700 kg * 9.8 m/s² * 8.0 m = 211,680 J. The work done is force * distance, so 3.0 × 10⁶ N * distance = 211,680 J. Solving for distance gives approximately 0.071 m or 7.1 cm.

A Pile Driver Drives a Post into the Ground