Solve Friction Work Problem: Boy Pulls Wagon 25.0kg 20.0m 60.0N 0.214

  • Thread starter Thread starter Avis
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Friction Work
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
2 replies · 2K views
Avis
Messages
42
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A boy pulls his wagon of mass 25.0kg at a constant velocity a distance of 20.0m. the wagon's handle makes an angle of 40.0° with the ground while the boy is pulling on it with a force of 60.0N. The coefficient of friction is 0.214. how much work did the boy do on the wagon

Homework Equations



W=FdCos(theta)

The Attempt at a Solution



Not sure where to start. I am not sure where the friction fits in.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
As written, this is what's known as an "overspecified" problem. There is actually more information given than what is required.

Using F d cosθ, using the given 60.0 N force, will work just fine.

Alternatively you could balance the forces to find the normal and friction forces. The friction force should balance the horizontal pull from the boy ... though they turn out to be slightly different using the numbers given here (?).
 
Alright that makes scene. It worked out for me. I hate the extra stuff in problems.