Question

Two men decide to use their cars to pull a truck stuck in the mud. They attach ropes and one pulls with a force of 615 N at an angle of 31◦with respect to the direction in which the truck is headed, while the other car pulls with a force of 961 N at an angle of 25◦with respect to the same direction. What is the net forward force exerted on the truck in the direction it is headed? Answer in units of N.

Answer 1

Answer:

1398.12 N

Explanation:

We define the x-axis in the direction parallel to the movement of the truck  on and the y-axis in the direction perpendicular to it.

x-components  of the ropes forces

T₁x = 615N*cos31°=527.1579 N  :Tension in direction x of the rope of the car 1

T₂x= 961 N*cos25°=870.96 N  :Tension in direction x of the rope of the car 2

Net forward force exerted on the truck in the direction it is headed (Fnx)

Fnx = T₁x  + T₂x

Fnx = 527.1579 N  + 870.96 N

Fnx = 1398.12 N