Question How much work, in foot-pounds, is done when a 50 -foot long cable with a weight-density of 8 pounds per foot is wound 14 feet? Do not include any units in your answer.
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To calculate the work done in winding the cable, you first need the total weight of the cable being wound. The weight of the entire cable is 50 feet * 8 pounds/foot = 400 pounds. When you wind 14 feet of the cable, you are effectively lifting each segment upwards. The average height lifted for the 14 feet is 14 feet / 2 = 7 feet. Therefore, the work done is 400 pounds * 7 feet = 2800 foot-pounds. When tackling these types of physics problems, be sure to visualize the scenario. Draw a diagram to help conceptualize the forces at play. Common mistakes include forgetting to consider the average height from which the weight is lifted or inaccurately calculating the total weight if the dimensions or weight-density change. Always double-check your figures!