A copper cube of mass 1 kg slides down on a rough inclined plane of inclination 37∘ at a constant speed. Assume that any loss in mechanical energy goes into the copper block as thermal energy. Find the increases in the temperature of the block as it slides down through 60 cm. Specific heat capacity of copper Cc= 420 J kg−1K−1. Take sin37∘ = 35
As block slides along x only mgsinθ and friction F do work, let them be mglsinθ or wF.
Now, speed is constant
∴ All the loss in potential energy is dissipated as heat, no. kinetic energy being gained.
(s is the specific heat) ⇒ mglsinθ = wF = Heat lost = mCcΔT
⇒ΔT = gl sinθmCc = 10 × 60100 × 35420
= 8.6 × 10−3 ∘C