Acceleration, a kid, a sled and frictionless surface

AI Thread Summary
A child on a sled weighing 214 N is being pulled by a horizontal force of 53 N on a frictionless surface, prompting a discussion on calculating acceleration. Participants are exploring the relationship between force and acceleration, as well as the implications of the sled's weight and the absence of friction. There is confusion over the calculations involving trigonometric functions and the significance of the weight in this context. The forum encourages showing work and including units in equations for clarity. The main goal is to determine the acceleration of the child and sled system.
Trigulus
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A child sitting on a sled is pulled by a rope along a frictionless surface. The child and the sled weigh 214 N and the horizontal force on the sled is 53 N. What is the acceleration of child and sled?






I am new and in the process of printing and posting the PDF flyer at my local community college. Kudos to the Admin here for putting together.

okay... I am trying to solve simply by going 214cos(53), 214sin(53) also trying to use the basic 4 kinematic equations but have hit a wall. A friend told me about this forum so here I am.

Thanks in advance !
 
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Trigulus said:
A child sitting on a sled is pulled by a rope along a frictionless surface. The child and the sled weigh 214 N and the horizontal force on the sled is 53 N. What is the acceleration of child and sled?






I am new and in the process of printing and posting the PDF flyer at my local community college. Kudos to the Admin here for putting together.

okay... I am trying to solve simply by going 214cos(53), 214sin(53) also trying to use the basic 4 kinematic equations but have hit a wall. A friend told me about this forum so here I am.

Thanks in advance !

What does the 214N actually represent? What direction does it act?
 
128.79 ?
 
Trigulus said:
128.79 ?

Please show all of your work that lead you to that number. Please also include units in your equations.
 
Things to consider:

1) How are force and acceleration related?
2) What does the "weight" represent?
3) What are the implications of the frictionless surface?
 
Hi Trigulus, http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5725/red5e5etimes5e5e45e5e25.gif

Trigulus said:
128.79 ?
What are the units associated with that number?
 
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