How Much Work Does a Tow Truck Perform When Pulling a Car?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the work done by a tow truck pulling a car, the correct formula to use is W = Fd cos(θ), where θ is the angle of the chain with the road. Given a tension of 1500 N and an angle of 30 degrees, the horizontal component of the force is F = 1500 cos(30), which equals approximately 1299 N. The distance pulled is 1 km, so the work done is W = (1299 N)(1000 m) = 1299000 J. The confusion regarding whether to use the cosine function again is clarified; only the horizontal component of the force should be used in the work calculation. Thus, the correct approach confirms that the work done is approximately 1299000 Joules.
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Homework Statement


A tow truck drags a stalled car along a road. The chain makes an angle of 30 deg with the road and the tension in the chain is 1500 N. How much work is done by the truck in pulling the car 1 km?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


What I'm confused about is whether we use W = FD or W=FDcos30
What I did was find the horizontal component of force (though I don't know if we use this or the tension given) F = 1500cos30=750*sqrt(3)
then i did W = FDcos30 = 750*sqrt(3)(1000)(cos30) = 1125000

Do i even put cosine again to find work?
Or can i just do W=FD
W=750*sqrt(3)(1000) = 1299038
 
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No the component of the force in the direction of motion is Fcosθ, so the work done is W=(Fcosθ)d, which is what you first did.
 
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