Shopping Carts, Finding Horizontal Force

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the horizontal force required to accelerate a 6.1 kg shopping cart up a 13° incline at 1.51 m/s². The initial calculations using Newton's Second Law (F = ma) yielded a net force of 9.211 N. However, the correct approach involves adjusting the force equations to account for the incline, specifically using Fx = Fcos(13°) and incorporating gravitational forces. The final formula derived is F = [m(a + g sin(13°))] / cos(13°), which simplifies the calculation process.

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Correct? Please let me know if my logic is off.

Given Problem
A shopper pushes a 6.1 kg shopping cart up a 13° incline, as shown in the figure. Find the magnitude of the horizontal force, F, needed to give the cart an acceleration of 1.51 m/s2.
Shopping Cart Question.gif


Relevant equations
F = ma
Fy = F1cos13°
Fx = F1sin13°
Shopping Cart.jpg


Attempted Solution
Given acceleration as 1.51m/s2, I found the net force (?)

F = ma
F = (6.1kg) * (1.51m/s2)
F = 9.211 N

Since the problem is asking for the horizontal force, I would only be focusing on the F1,x direction. With this i would use the F`,x = F1sin13° formula (?)

Use this force found earlier with Newton's Second Law to find the force in the horizontal direction.

F1,x = F1sin13°
F1 = F1,x / sin13°
F1 = 9.211N / sin13°
F1 = 40.9467 N

ADJUSTMENT 1:
Calculated with Fx = Fcos13° instead of Fsin13°
F1 = (9.121 N) / (cos13°)
F1 = 9.35989N
Answer is still incorrect. The website tells me:
"Your response differs from the correct answer by more than 10%. Double check your calculations"
 
Last edited:
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Fx = Fcos(13) not Fsin(13)
 
This problem is easier if you rotate your axis 13 degrees. So draw the x-axis to be parallel with the acceleration. With your current axis ... Fx = F
and don't forget your normal force and force due to gravity.Now, if you redraw your axis along the direction of acceleration
Fx = Fcos(13) -mg sin(13) = ma

So now the answer is trivial algebra
F = [m(a+g sin(13))] / cos(13)
 
Last edited:

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