A dedicated physics student pulls his brand new shiny red wagon along a level road such that the handle makes an angle of 50 degrees with the horizontal road. if he pulls on the handle with a force of 85N, what is the horizontal component of the force he exerts along the handle?
Why is the horizontal component more useful information than the force he exerts along the handle? �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ �������������������������
To find the horizontal component of the force he exerts along the handle, we need to use trigonometry. The horizontal component can be determined using the formula:
Horizontal Component = Force * cos(angle)
In this case, the force exerted along the handle is 85N, and the angle of the handle with the horizontal road is 50 degrees. Therefore, the horizontal component can be calculated as:
Horizontal Component = 85N * cos(50 degrees)
To find the value of cos(50 degrees), you can use a scientific calculator or a trigonometric table.
Calculating this using a scientific calculator, you would enter 50 degrees, press the "cos" button, and then multiply the result by 85N.
Now, let's discuss why the horizontal component is more useful information than the force he exerts along the handle. The horizontal component of the force represents the effective force that is exerted in the forward direction of the wagon. This force is responsible for propelling the wagon forward along the level road. By knowing the horizontal component, you can determine the actual force that contributes to the motion of the wagon, which is important when analyzing the dynamics of the system.
On the other hand, the force he exerts along the handle alone does not provide information about the direction or effectiveness of the force in causing the wagon to move forward. The force along the handle can be decomposed into two components: the horizontal component and the vertical component. The vertical component of the force does not contribute to the forward motion of the wagon but may counteract other forces like gravity or friction.
Therefore, knowing the horizontal component of the force is essential for understanding the effectiveness of the force in causing motion and analyzing the physics of the situation.
force horiz=85cos50
the horizontal component is the actual pulling force.