Question

A toboggan with two riders has a total mass of 87.0 kg. A third person is pushing the toboggan with a force of 42.5 N at the top of a hill with an angle of 16°. The force of friction on the toboggan is 36.0 N. Which statement describes an accurate free-body diagram to represent the situation? (Choose one of the forces acting on the system with correct magnitude and direction.)

Answer 1

Options:

a) An arrow of magnitude 852.6 N points perpendicular to the slope of the hill.

b) An arrow of magnitude 6.50 N points down the slope of the hill.

c) An arrow of magnitude 78.5 N points down the slope of the hill.

d) An arrow of magnitude 852.6 N points straight down.

Answer:

d) An arrow of magnitude 852.6 N points straight down.

Step-by-step explanation:

The total mass of the two riders, m = 87.0 kg

The free body diagrams of the situation described are drawn and contained in the files attached to this solution.

Note that the weight of the toboggan will act directly downwards.

Therefore, the weight of the toboggan, W = mg

W = 87 * 9.8

W = 852.6 N

Since the arrow representing the weight of the toboggan points straight down, the correct answer is that an arrow of magnitude 852.6 N points straight down.