This Is So Much Work...

Snow Blowing A Driveway

How much work is it actually?

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Since my town got so much snow, no ordinary shovel could help my dad and I complete the arduous task of clearing our driveway. Therefore, we had no other option but to bring out the snow blower. Although it seems like considerably less work than having to shovel, there is work being done regardless, both by my dad on the snow blower, and the snow blower on the snow. 

1. Work Done by My Dad on the Snow Blower

Since the snow blower is on wheels, this approximation is way over the actual amount of work done by my dad. Also, this approximation only covers 1 strip of driveway, so the actual amount of work would be multiplied by 15 to cover the entire area. 

(Dimensions of my driveway are 25x30 ft, or 7.6x9.1 m)

2. Work Done by the Snow Blower on the Snow

This particular snow blower can clear 6 - 12 inches of snow at a time, and shoots it up to 12 meters away. By setting the snow in motion, it gives the snow kinetic energy, essentially doing work on it. 

To determine the change in kinetic energy (the work), I will have to approximate the weight of the snow being blown at any given moment, and determine its x-velocity by assuming that it is traveling the maximum 12 meters over the time it is in the air.

W = ΔKE = 1/2(m)(v^2) - 0

m ≅ 5.4 kg

v = 12m/1.5s = 8 m/s

W = 172.8 J (at any given instant)

Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE

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Sources:

https://www.toro.com/en/homeowner/snow-blowers/snowmaster-724-qxe-36002

https://socratic.org/physics/forces-and-newtons-laws/frictional-forces/determining-the-static-coefficient-of-friction-between-tires-and-snow