[tech16753]

A parent pulling a four-wheeled wagon at a constant speed uses 2200 joules of energy to move it 60 meters. The total mass of the wagon is 50kg and the coefficient of friction between the contact surfaces is 0.26. *Hint the road surface may not be level

I need to know the magnitude of the applied force by the parent
I need to know the angle at which the parent is applying this force

Please help!

[Capuchin]

Hi, while I'm happy to help you with your work, you'll have to put some work in yourself. If you know about coefficient of friction then I can't see how the first part of the question is very hard for you. So can you give that part a go?

Show me how far you can get, then we can work from there.

[tech16753]

?? The coefficient of friction is 0.26. So the total friction force is the 0.26x Fnormal. The problem I'm having is; because there is not enough work done to move the wagon 60m on a level surface, there must be gravity helping the parent out. Another factor is that the wagon is moving at a constant speed [no acceleration], therefore the Net force on the wagon is zero. That means that mgsin@ gravity force + the parents applied force has to equal= total friction force. The question is harder than it looks, and the ambiguity is making me pull my hair out. Anybody who knows what I'm talking about... please help!