Final answer:
To calculate the acceleration of a wheelbarrow being eased down a hill by a landscaper, one must consider the gravitational forces, the normal forces, the force exerted by the landscaper, frictional forces, and potentially air resistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Finding the Forces Acting on a Wheelbarrow: When analyzing a landscaper easing a wheelbarrow full of soil down a hill, one would define the system to include all interacting objects, which in this case are the wheelbarrow, the soil within it, and the landscaper herself.
To calculate the acceleration of the wheelbarrow, you need to consider various forces. The important forces to include in this system are: The gravitational force acting on the wheelbarrow and its contents, also known as weight. The gravitational force acting on the landscaper. The normal forces exerted by the ground on the wheelbarrow and the landscaper, which are perpendicular to the surface of the hill.
The force of the landscaper pushing or pulling on the wheelbarrow as well as the equal and opposite reaction force according to Newton's third law. Any possible frictional force that resists the motion of the wheelbarrow's wheels. Additionally, if there is resistance due to the air (air resistance), or if the hill has an uneven surface that could cause additional friction, these should be considered as well.