Power of a Force via Fixed Pulley

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Work and Energy Beginner power

Source: High school physics (Chinese)

Problem Sets:

work-energy 1018

Problem

As shown in Figure below, an object of mass $m$ is pulled by a fixed pulley, causing the object to accelerate upwards from rest at a constant acceleration $a$. The weight of the rope and friction on the pulley axle are negligible.

Find the instantaneous power of the pulling force at time $t$.
P0484-problem-1

P0484-problem-1

$P = m(g+a)at$

Applying Newton's second law to the mass $m$:

$$F - mg = ma$$

The required pulling force is $F = m(g+a)$.

The velocity of the object at time $t$ starting from rest is given by kinematics:

$$v = at$$

Since it is a fixed pulley, the velocity of the rope where the force is applied is equal to the velocity of the object, $v$.

The instantaneous power $P$ is the product of the force and the velocity:

$$P = Fv$$

Substituting the expressions for $F$ and $v$:

$$P = m(g+a)(at)$$