Question

A truck is dragging a 500 kg mass along a rough surface where the coefficient of kinetic friction between the mass and the surface is 0.4. The tow cable makes an angle of 37° above the horizontal. If the mass’ state of motion is changing at a rate of 2 m/s/s, how much force is the tow cable exerting on the 500 kg mass?

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Assuming the surface is horizontal

F = ma

Fcos37 - (0.4)[500(9.8) - Fsin37] = 500(2)

F(cos37 + (0.4)sin37) = 500(2) + (0.4)500(9.8)

F = 2,847.902...

F = 2850 N