Net Force on Wagon: Solving for Unknowns

  • Thread starter jono240
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In summary, the net force acting on the wagon is 26N, calculated by subtracting the force of friction (78N) from the horizontal component of the applied force (104N*cos35).
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jono240
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So simple, what am I missing??

Homework Statement


A wagon is being pulled with a force of 104N so that the handle makes an angle of 35 degrees above the horizontal. The force of friction between the wheels of the wagon and the ground is 78N. What is the net force acting on the wagon?


Homework Equations


F=m*a


The Attempt at a Solution


Alright I've made my free-body diagram and I know you're supposed to break it into components. So I have

Fnetx = Fapplied(cos35) - Ffriction = m*a

Fnety = Fapplied(sin35) + Fnormal - Fgravity = m*a = 0

I've been trying to rearrange it to find at least one unknown but I can't figure out how to find any of them. I've been trying to rearrange them to find mass, Fnormal, μ but I can't seem to get it. What am I missing?

thanks guys
 
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  • #2


Since the problem is only asking for the net force acting on the wagon, you won't need to find the mass or μ or anything other than the forces. Presumably you simply need to resolve the force vectors into a single resultant.
 

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