Question

Three huskies are pulling a dog sled. The mass of the driver, sled and supplies is 145 kg. Snowy is pulling with a force of 83 N and 15.5degrees to the left of forward. Buster is pulling with a force of 75 N at 9degrees right of forward and Prince is pulling with a force of 77N at 12 degrees right of forward. The sled is moving forward at a constant velocity. What is the coefficient of kinetic friction between the sled and the snow?

Any help with this questions, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

Ws = mg = 145kg * 9.8N/kg = 1421 N. = Wt of sled incl. load.

Forward = 0 Deg.
Fs = 1421N @ 0 Deg. =Force of sled incl. load.
Fp=1421*sin(0)=0=Force parallel to gnd.
Fv = 1421*cos(0) = 1421 N. = Force perpendicular to gnd.

F1 = 83N @ 15.5 Deg.,CCW.
F2 = 75N @ 351 Deg.,CCW.
F3 = 77N @ 348 Deg.,CCW.

X=hor.=83*cos15.5+75*cos351+77*cos348=
229.4 N.
Y = 83*sin15.5+75*sin351+77*sin348=-5.56 N.

tanA = Y/X=(-5.56) / 229.4 = =0.024237
A = -1.39 Deg.,CW. = -1.39 + 369=358.6
Deg.,CCW.

Fap = X/cosA = 229.4 / cos358.6 = 229.5 N. @ 358.6 Deg. = Force applied.

Fn = Fap - Fp -Fk = ma = 0. a = 0.
229.5*cos358.6 - 0 - 1421u = 0.
1421u = 229.5*cos358.6 = 229.43.
u = 229.43 / 1421 = 0.161 = Coefficient of kinetic friction.

Answer 2

Thank you so much for your help! But just one question what does CCW mean? And once again, I appreciate your help immensly!