Finding Work from Angle, Mass, and Displacement

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the work done by a flight attendant pulling a flight bag at a constant velocity. The force exerted is 42.4 N at an angle of 60.1° above the horizontal, and the bag is pulled 306 m. The initial attempt involved calculating the horizontal component of the force but did not correctly incorporate the total displacement. After clarification, the correct formula for work was applied, resulting in a total work of 6437 J. The conversation emphasizes the importance of using both the force component and the displacement in the work calculation.
Joel M
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Homework Statement


A flight attendant pulls her 73.8 N flight bag
a distance of 306 m along a level airport floor
at a constant velocity. The force she exerts is
42.4 N at an angle of 60.1◦ above the horizon-
tal.
a) Find the work she does on the flight bag.
Answer in units of J.

Homework Equations


W=Fx * ∆X

The Attempt at a Solution


42.2Cos60.1=Fx=21.036
21.036*42.2=Work?

I found the displacement in the X direction and multiplied by total displacement to get work. This doesn't seem right to me. Any help?
 
Last edited:
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Welcome to PF!

Hi Joel M! Welcome to PF! :smile:

(have a delta: ∆ and try using the X2 tag just above the Reply box :wink:)
Joel M said:
42.2Cos60.1=Fx=21.036
21.036*42.2=Work?
…
I found the displacement in the X direction and multiplied by total displacement to get work. This doesn't seem right to me.

hmmm … :confused:

and what happened to the 306? :wink:​
 


tiny-tim said:
Hi Joel M! Welcome to PF! :smile:

hmmm … :confused:

and what happened to the 306? :wink:​

Oh, thanks got it now. (42.2)Cos(60.1)(306) = 6437J
 

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