Question

The builders of the pyramids used a long ramp to lift 20000-kg (20.0-ton) blocks. If a block rose 0.840 m in height while traveling 20.0 m along the ramp surface, how much uphill force was needed to push it up the ramp at constant velocity

Answer 1

Given Information:  

Mass = m =  20000 kg

Height of ramp = h = 0.840 m

Length of ramp = L = 20 m

Required Information:  

Uphill Force = F = ?

Answer:

F = 8232 N

Explanation:

The force can be found using the equation

F = mgsinθ

Where m is the mass of block, g is the acceleration due to gravity

Since the ramp can be modeled as an inclined plane so it can formed into a triangle, recall that in right angle triangle sinθ is equal to opposite over hypotenuse. The opposite is the height and hypotenuse is the ramp surface.

sinθ = h/L = 0.840/20 = 0.042

F = 20000*9.8*0.042

F = 8232 N

Therefore, an uphill force of 8232 N would be needed.