If you're pushing 250kg up at 10% incline, how much weight are you pushing?

I'm pretty sure as mass is constant, the 250kg would stay the same.

1 Answer
Steve J.
Jan 29, 2018

You're pushing a weight of 425.4 N.

Explanation:

The weight of 250 kg is #w = 250 kg*9.8 m/s^2 = 2450 N#.

Assume there is no friction between the incline and the mass. The apparent weight is the component of the 2450 N weight, #w_"ds"#, that points down the slope. That weight, which is a force, would be

#w_"ds" = 2450 N*sin10^@ = 425.4 N#

So that is the portion of the weight that is exerted down the incline. To hold the mass stationery, would require an equal and opposite force up the incline.

If you increased your push up the incline just a bit, briefly, it would start going up the incline. Adjusting your push back to 425.4 N would keep it going up the incline at constant velocity.

I hope this helps,
Steve

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