# Tension force in a tow truck

1. Feb 1, 2015

### Calpalned

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A tow truck drags a stalled car along a road. The chain makes an angle of 30° 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?

2. Relevant equations
Work = Force * distance

3. The attempt at a solution
By drawing a free body diagram, I learn that the horizontal component of tension is 1500 * cos(30), which is apprx 1300 N. I then multiply by 1000 meters to get 1.3 million joules. Is this correct? Is joules always measured in meters or should I have multiplied by 1 instead? Thank You

2. Feb 1, 2015

### Calpalned

I put this question in math because it's from my Multivariate Calculus Late Transcendentalist book.

3. Feb 1, 2015

### SammyS

Staff Emeritus
... Is joules always measured in meters or should I have multiplied by 1 instead? Thank You[/QUOTE]

$1 \text{Joule} =1 \text{N}\cdot\text{m },$ so Joules are not in units of meters.

4. Feb 1, 2015

### haruspex

• Looks right. 1 J = 1 N m