Question

A sled passenger with a mass of 55 kg is pushed 21 m across the snow at a constant velocity by a force directed 31° below the horizontal. What is the force of friction acting on the sled?

A. 171.15 N
B. 210.83 N
C. 240.46 N
D. 292.13 N

Answer 1

To find the force of friction acting on the sled, we need to first determine the horizontal component of the applied force and then use that to calculate the force of friction. The horizontal component of the applied force can be found using the formula F_h = F * cos(theta), where F is the magnitude of the applied force and theta is the angle between the applied force and the horizontal.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the force of friction acting on the sled, we need to first determine the horizontal component of the applied force and then use that to calculate the force of friction.

The horizontal component of the applied force can be found using the formula: F_h = F * cos(theta)

where F is the magnitude of the applied force and theta is the angle between the applied force and the horizontal.

In this case, the angle is given as 31 degrees below the horizontal.

Substituting the values into the formula, we have: F_h = 33 N * cos(31 degrees)

Calculating this, we find: F_h ≈ 28.2 N

The horizontal component of the applied force is equal to the force of friction. Therefore, the force of friction acting on the sled is approximately 28.2 N.