A snowmobile is pulling a large sled across a snow-covered field. The weight of the sled is 3560 N. If the coefficient of friction of the sled is 0.12, what is the pulling force supplied by the snowmobile?
To calculate the pulling force supplied by the snowmobile, we'll need to consider the force of friction acting on the sled.
The force of friction can be calculated using the equation:
Frictional Force = Coefficient of Friction × Normal Force
In this case, the weight of the sled acts as the normal force since the sled is being pulled horizontally across a flat surface. The weight of the sled is given as 3560 N.
Frictional Force = 0.12 × 3560 N
Now, we can calculate the pulling force supplied by the snowmobile. Since the pulling force is opposite to the direction of friction, it must be equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the frictional force.
Therefore, the pulling force supplied by the snowmobile is:
Pulling Force = - Frictional Force
Substituting the value of the frictional force:
Pulling Force = - (0.12 × 3560 N)
Calculating this value gives us the magnitude of the pulling force supplied by the snowmobile. Note that the negative sign indicates that the force is acting in the opposite direction of motion.