Work Done by Water on Skier: Solving a Physics Problem

[soul5]

Homework Statement

A water skier is moving at 14m/s. The rope makes a 35 degree angle with the centre line of the boat. If the tension in the rope is 90.0N, how much work does the resistive force of the water do on the skier while traveling 50 meters.

Homework Equations

W=FD

The Attempt at a Solution

I tried finding F in the x?

 

[Dick]

I don't think you tried hard enough. Can you show us what you did? Since the skier is not accelerating the resistive force balances the x component of the tension force.

 

[silvashadow]

There is no acceleration so draw the force diagram. x-part of the tension is equal to the resistance.

 

[Dick]

There is no acceleration so draw the force diagram. x-part of the tension is equal to the resistance.

In what way does that differ from what I said? Or are you just reinforcing the point?

 

[soul5]

I don't think you tried hard enough. Can you show us what you did? Since the skier is not accelerating the resistive force balances the x component of the tension force.

lol what does that mean?

 

[Dick]

You quoted equations, I thought you knew how to use them. W=F*D where F is the component of the force in the direction of the displacement. Compute the component of the tension in the direction of motion, lol.

 

[silvashadow]

In what way does that differ from what I said? Or are you just reinforcing the point?

Sorry Dick, I guess second opinions are not welcome here.

 

[Dick]

Sorry, silvashadow. I always regret writing negative stuff like that. I know you were just trying to help.