Question

A box on a ramp is connected by a rope to a winch. The winch is turned so that the box moves down the ramp at a constant speed. The box experiences kinetic friction with the ramp. Which forces on the box do zero work as the box moves down the ramp?

a. Weight (gravitational force)
b. Normal force
c. Kinetic friction force
d. Tension force
e. None

Answer 1

Option B:

The normal force

Step-by-step explanation:

The normal force does no work as the box slides down the ramp.

Work can only be done when the force succeeds in moving the object in the direction of the force.

All the other forces involved have a component that is moving the box in their direction.

However, the normal force does not, as it points downwards into the ramp. Since the normal force is pointing into the ramp, and the box is sliding down the ramp, we can say that no work is being done by the normal force because the box is not moving in its direction (which would have been the box moving into the ramp)