What are the forces acting on a child pulling a wagon up an inclined hill?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the forces acting on a child pulling a wagon up an inclined hill, specifically focusing on the calculations of the applied force and the normal force on the wagon. The problem involves concepts from dynamics and forces on inclined planes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Newton's second law and the decomposition of forces into components. There is an exploration of the calculations for the net force, gravitational components, and the normal force.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided feedback on the calculations, particularly regarding the use of trigonometric functions and the mode of the calculator. There is acknowledgment of a correction made by the original poster after checking their calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of ensuring the calculator is set to the correct mode (degrees vs. radians) for accurate calculations. The original poster initially provided incorrect values, which were later corrected.

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Homework Statement


A child is pulling a wagon of mass 7.38 kg up a hill inclined at an angle of 14.3 degrees to the horizontal. The child applies a force parallel to the hill. The acceleration of the wagon is 6.45 cm/s^2 up the hill. Friction is negligible. Determine the magnitude of (a) the force applied by the child, and (b) the normal force on the wagon.

FBD Diagram I drew:
hShKWw8.jpg


Correct Answers on book:
(a) 18.3 N
(b) 70.1 N

Homework Equations


Fnet = ma

(a) Fnet = -Fgx + Fa
(b) Fn = -Fgy

The Attempt at a Solution


(a)
Fnet = (-Fgx) + Fa
ma = m(-g)(cos14.3) + Fa
(7.38)(0.0645) = (7.38)(-9.8)(cos14.3) + Fa
71.9 N = Fa

(b)
Fn = Fgy
Fn = (7.38)(-9.8)(cos14.3)
Fn = 11.7 N


 
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Welcome to PF!

Note that you've used the cosine function for getting both Fgx and Fgy.

Make sure your calculator is in "degree mode".
 
TSny said:
Welcome to PF!

Note that you've used the cosine function for getting both Fgx and Fgy.

Make sure your calculator is in "degree mode".

I literally just checked it now, its was on radians. I redid the calculations and they are correct.
Thank you so much.
 
Good work!
 

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