Calculating Normal Force on a Snow Sled with Newton's Laws

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To calculate the normal force on a snow sled with a total mass of 56.0 kg descending a 35.0° slope at a constant speed, it is crucial to incorporate the coefficient of kinetic friction, which is 0.13. The sled's weight creates a gravitational force that can be resolved into components parallel and perpendicular to the slope. Since the sled is moving at constant speed, the net force in the direction perpendicular to the slope is zero, allowing for the calculation of the normal force. The frictional force can be determined using the normal force, leading to the correct magnitude of the reactive force being 450.0 N. Properly incorporating these factors is essential for an accurate solution.
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(a) A snow sled with a child secured safely to it has a total mass of 56.0 kg. It is lowered at a constant speed of 1.1 m s−1 down a slope of angle 35.0 ° with respect to the horizontal (as shown above) for a distance d = 18.0 m. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the sled and the snow is 0.13.

Note: g = 9.8 m s–2. Air resistance is negligible at these speeds.

Find the magnitude of the reactive force, N, on the sled.




The correct answer should be 450.0 but my answer is different. I don't know how to solve this question but here's my attemp:



ΣFx = 1.1 cos 35.0° = 0.90
ΣFy = 1.1 sin 35.0 = 0.63



a = \frac{\sum F}{m}

ax = 0.90 ÷ 56.0 = 0.01
ay = 0.63 ÷ 56.0 = 0.01

Now to find the magnitude:

\sqrt{0.01^2 + 0.01^2} = 0.01 "?"

≠ 450.0 N

Thanks.
 
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roam said:
The coefficient of kinetic friction between the sled and the snow is 0.13.

You failed to incorporate this into your solution. Taking this into consideration should help ^^
 
Nabeshin said:
You failed to incorporate this into your solution. Taking this into consideration should help ^^

How can I incorporate that in my solution?

ƒk = μkn
ƒ = 0.13 \times n

So, what should I use for the n, the magnitude of the normal force?
 
Well, you had no problem resolving the gravity force into it's down-the-hill component. Seeing as the object seems not to be accelerating in the new "y" direction, what can we say about the forces there? This should help you solve for normal force.
 
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