Net Force on Wagon: Solving for Unknowns

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AI Thread Summary
To find the net force acting on the wagon, the key is to resolve the applied force into its components. The applied force of 104N at a 35-degree angle can be broken down into horizontal and vertical components using trigonometric functions. The net force in the horizontal direction is calculated by subtracting the frictional force of 78N from the horizontal component of the applied force. The vertical forces can be balanced without needing to find mass or the coefficient of friction, as the problem only requires the net force. Ultimately, the solution lies in correctly calculating the resultant force from these components.
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So simple, what am I missing??

Homework Statement


A wagon is being pulled with a force of 104N so that the handle makes an angle of 35 degrees above the horizontal. The force of friction between the wheels of the wagon and the ground is 78N. What is the net force acting on the wagon?


Homework Equations


F=m*a


The Attempt at a Solution


Alright I've made my free-body diagram and I know you're supposed to break it into components. So I have

Fnetx = Fapplied(cos35) - Ffriction = m*a

Fnety = Fapplied(sin35) + Fnormal - Fgravity = m*a = 0

I've been trying to rearrange it to find at least one unknown but I can't figure out how to find any of them. I've been trying to rearrange them to find mass, Fnormal, μ but I can't seem to get it. What am I missing?

thanks guys
 
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Since the problem is only asking for the net force acting on the wagon, you won't need to find the mass or μ or anything other than the forces. Presumably you simply need to resolve the force vectors into a single resultant.
 
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