Calculating Work Done by a Child Pulling a Toy Car

In summary, a child pulled a toy car for 10 meters with a force of 123 N at a 25 degree angle from the horizon. The work done by the child was calculated to be 1114.8 J using the equation work = force x displacement. The child's height and the car's mass were not relevant to the problem.
  • #1
j doe
37
2

Homework Statement


A child 1.52 meters tall pulled a 2.54 kg toy car for 10 meters. The car has a string attached to it, and when pulled creates a 25 degree angle from the horizon. If the string has a force of 123 N on it while being pulled, how much work did the child do?

Homework Equations


work = force x displacement

The Attempt at a Solution


W = (123 N)(10 m) cos(25 degrees) = 1114.8 J

is this correct? does the child's height have anything to do with the problem?
 
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  • #2
j doe said:
W = (123 N)(10 m) cos(25 degrees) = 1114.8 J

is this correct?
Yep! Good!

j doe said:
does the child's height have anything to do with the problem?
Nope. (Neither does the car's mass.)
 
  • #3
Seems okay to me and no, the child's height is irrelevant.
 

1. How do I calculate the work done by a child pulling a toy car?

To calculate the work done by a child pulling a toy car, you will need to know the force applied by the child, the distance the toy car was pulled, and the angle between the direction of the force and the direction of the displacement. Use the equation W = Fd cosθ, where W is the work done, F is the force, d is the distance, and θ is the angle.

2. What is the unit of measurement for work done?

The unit of measurement for work done is joules (J). This is equivalent to a force of one newton (N) acting over a distance of one meter (m).

3. How does the angle between the force and displacement affect the work done?

The angle between the force and displacement affects the work done by changing the amount of force that is applied in the direction of the displacement. When the force and displacement are in the same direction (θ = 0°), all of the force is used to move the object and the work done is maximized. When the force and displacement are perpendicular to each other (θ = 90°), no work is done as the force is not contributing to the displacement.

4. Can the work done by a child pulling a toy car ever be negative?

Yes, the work done by a child pulling a toy car can be negative if the force applied by the child is in the opposite direction of the displacement of the toy car. This means that the child is actually doing work to slow down or stop the toy car's movement.

5. What are some real-life applications of calculating work done by a child pulling a toy car?

Calculating work done by a child pulling a toy car can be applicable in various fields such as physics, engineering, and biomechanics. In physics, it can be used to understand the basic concepts of work and energy. In engineering, it can be useful in designing structures and machines that require the use of human force. In biomechanics, it can be used to assess and improve human performance in activities involving pulling or pushing objects.

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