The (nonconservative) force propelling a 1.50E3 kg car up a mountain road does 4.70E6 j of work on the car. The car starts from rest at sea level and has a speed of 27.0 m/s at an altitude of 2.00E2 m above sea level. Obtain the work done on the car by the combined forces of friction and air resitstance, both of which are nonconservative forces.
This is Chapter 6, Work and Energy, of Physics, 8th Edition, by Cutnell, #55.
I know it has something to do with initial and final energies being equal.
I also know that kinetic and gravitational potential are the only two energies involved.
I got this from Answers:
Total Energy (at end) = KE + PE
So set this equal to Wdone - Wdiss
Wdiss = Wdone - KE - PE
Wdone = 4.7e6 J
KE = (1/2)mv^2
PE = mgh
m = 1.5e3 kg
v = 27 m/s
h = 2e2 m
Wdiss = 4.7e6 - .5 * 1.5e3 * 27^2 - 1.5e3 * 9.8 * 2e2
But I'm not totally sure what all the symbols mean and how the answer was reached. Any help is appreciated!