In a short paragraph, describe how you would determine the
amount of work needed to pull a toboggan the length of a
football field. Be sure to include the equipment list and
describe the measurements that you will take.
To determine the amount of work needed to pull a toboggan the length of a football field, I would follow a systematic approach. First, I would equip myself with a stopwatch or a timer to measure the time it takes to complete the task. Additionally, I would need a weighing scale to measure the mass of the toboggan, a measuring tape or a ruler to measure the length of the football field, and a force gauge or a dynamometer to measure the force applied to pull the toboggan.
Next, I would proceed with the measurements. I would measure the length of the football field from one end to the other using the measuring tape or ruler. This measurement will provide the distance that needs to be covered. Then, I would measure the mass of the toboggan using the weighing scale, ensuring that any additional items on the toboggan, such as bags or equipment, are also accounted for in the measurement.
After acquiring the necessary measurements, I would begin pulling the toboggan across the football field, applying a consistent force. Using the stopwatch or timer, I would measure the time it takes to complete the task. To ensure accuracy, I would repeat this process multiple times and calculate the average time taken.
With the distance, force, and time measurements at hand, I can determine the amount of work needed using the formula:
Work = Force × Distance
By multiplying the force required to pull the toboggan (measured by the force gauge or dynamometer) by the distance traveled (measured by the length of the football field), I can quantify the amount of work required to pull the toboggan the entire length of the football field.