196 N = 196 N
Work, energy and power · Inclined planes
Power up an inclined plane
Follow one load from the bottom to a fixed-height platform and watch the motor’s work enter the gravitational and thermal energy stores.
Model conditionThe motor maintains a constant speed, so the resultant force along the ramp is zero.
Run 1 · constant speed
The motor transfers energy at a steady rate
Mechanical power required—— J transferred each second
Load stateMoving
Latest run eventRun 1 started
Watch: motor work accumulates continuously while the load’s speed remains constant.
Live energy ledger
Every joule supplied by the motor is accounted for
Mechanical output only · start and stop transients are outside this constant-speed model.
Motor work0 J
=
GPE gained0 J
+
Thermal energy0 J
196 N × 1.0 m s⁻¹ = 196 W
196 W = 196 W + 0 W
Constant speed means balanced forces
The motor continually matches the total force acting down the ramp.
Power is a transfer rate
At constant values, the same number of joules is transferred during every second.
Energy is conserved
Motor work becomes gravitational potential energy and, when present, thermal energy.
What this model includes and excludes
The load is already moving at the selected constant speed when each measured run begins. The motor’s mechanical output exactly balances the downslope component of weight and kinetic friction. Air resistance, rolling resistance, motor inefficiency, cable mass and the energy changes during starting and stopping are not included.