How Do You Calculate the Force a Tractor Exerts on a Trailer on an Incline?

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SUMMARY

The force exerted by a tractor on a 3900kg trailer being pulled up a 16-degree incline at a steady speed of 3.0 m/s is calculated using the formula F = W * sin(θ), where W is the weight of the trailer and θ is the incline angle. Since the trailer is not accelerating, the only force the tractor needs to overcome is the gravitational component acting down the slope. This confirms that the calculated force aligns with the expected result in the textbook, validating the approach taken.

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owenhigdon
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The problem states that a 3900kg trailer is pulled by a tractor up a 16 degree incline with a steady speed of 3.0m\s.

I am asked what force the tractor exerts on the trailer.

I said that the force was equal to the (W)(sin)16degrees, i get the right answer in the back of the book but i think its a coincidence...any help on this one would be much appreciated
 
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me again! Your answer is right. Because you're not accelerating the trailer up the incline, there is no additional force required. All you need to do to maintain the speed of 3ms-1 is to overcome the backward force down the slope.
 

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