Final answer:
The work done on the 600 N sack of flour raised to a height of 0.50 m is 300 Joules. The 150 N force must be applied over a distance of 2 meters to lift the sack, illustrating the mechanical advantage of using a lever to make lifting heavy objects more manageable.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking to calculate the work done on a 600 N sack of flour using a lever which is raised to a height of 0.50 m by a 150 N force. To calculate the work done (in Joules), we use the formula work = force x displacement, which in this case, the force is the weight of the sack of flour, and the displacement is the height it's been lifted to.
a. The work done on the sack of flour is work = force x displacement = 600 N x 0.50 m = 300 Joules.
b. To find the distance the 150 N force needs to be applied, we use the principle of moments for levers. Since work done is equal on both sides of the lever, 300 J of work with the 150 N force must also equal 300 J. Thus, the distance is work/force = 300 J / 150 N = 2 meters.
c. The benefit of using a lever is that it allows you to lift heavy objects with less force. By applying force over a greater distance on one side, you can lift a heavier load over a shorter distance on the other side, due to the law of conservation of energy and the principle of moments. This mechanical advantage makes lifting heavy objects more manageable and efficient.