Amount of force to pull a sled up an icy slope

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the force required to pull a sled loaded with physics books up a slope of 30 degrees, considering the coefficient of kinetic friction of 0.050. The total mass of the sled is 19 kg. Key equations include F = μ * n for friction and the normal force calculation, which is affected by the slope. Participants emphasize the importance of drawing a free body diagram (FBD) to visualize forces, including tension, normal force, and gravitational force, to accurately determine the applied force needed.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with friction concepts, specifically kinetic friction
  • Ability to draw and interpret free body diagrams (FBD)
  • Basic knowledge of trigonometric functions in physics
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  • Learn how to calculate normal force on inclined planes
  • Study the role of tension in systems involving pulleys and slopes
  • Explore advanced friction concepts, including static vs. kinetic friction
  • Practice solving problems involving forces on inclined surfaces using FBDs
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics, as well as educators looking for examples of force calculations on inclined planes.

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Homework Statement



You're using a rope to pull a sled at constant velocity across level snow,with coefficient of kinetic friction 0.050 between sled and the snow. The sled is loaded with physics books, giving a total mass of 19 {\rm kg}.

Homework Equations



F=\mu*n

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried solving for the force and the force of friction separately then subtracting between them... Not sure if that's correct.
EDIT: I'm sorry I'm on the second part of this question which asks for the same force but at a slope of 30 degrees above horizontal.
 
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Okay, a free body diagram (FBD) would be useful here, if you haven't yet drawn it.

Remember the equation for friction involves the normal force, not the weight. What would be the normal force when the sled is on a slope?

When you have the friction force, what other force is there that you need to overcome if you are pulling the sled up a hill?
 
The normal force would just be cos30*g right? Since weights not a factor in the friction...?

The other force beside the frictional is the tension of the rope being pulled which would factor in m*g and cos30?
 
Capncanada said:
The normal force would just be cos30*g right? Since weights not a factor in the friction...?

The other force beside the frictional is the tension of the rope being pulled which would factor in m*g and cos30?

I guess my statement came out a little confusing. Weight is a factor in friction only to the point that it contributes to the normal force. So the normal force would be

F_N = m g\cos{(30)}

Remember to check your units - g is an acceleration. It needs a mass to become a force.

And you are applying the tension, but what force are you overcoming? The tension you provided would overcome this force.

Take a look at your FBD. You should have the friction, the normal force, the tension on the rope and one other force.
 
The final force being gravity
 
hi

if the applied force is 30 degrees above the horizontal then the upward component would be
F_{app}\sin(30). now in FBD , in the vertical direction there are 3 forces, normal force N is acting on the sled upward , F_{app}\sin(30) is acting on the sled upward and force due to gravity , mg , is acting on the sled downwards. since there is no net force in vertical direction,

F_{y-net}=0

use this to solve for the normal force N.
 

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