A block of mass 2.0 kg initially at rest on an inclined plane of inclination 37^ is pulled up the plane by a constant force of 20 N applied parallel to the incline. The force acts for one second. Determine the maximum possible work done by the applied force during this time. Take g = 10 m/s ^2 .

Step-by-step solution

The work done by the applied force is W = Fs , where F = 20 N and s is the displacement of the block along the incline in 1 s . To maximize the work done, the displacement s must be maximum, which requires the acceleration a of the block to be maximum. The forces acting on the block along the incline are the applied force F upwards, the gravitational component mg 37^ downwards, and the frictional force f downwards. The equation of motion is F - mg 37^ - f = ma . For maximum acceleration, the frictional force must b