405 kg penguin sits on a 100 kg sled as seen in the figure b
Solution
A] We know that,
F = ma
where,F = the sum of all forces acting on the object
m = mass of the object
a = acceleration of the object.
The tension in the cord and the force of friction (Ffr1) between the sled and the penguin, are the only two forces acting along the x-axis. So by modifying the above equation:
Fx = mp(ap)
where, Fx = sum of all forces acting on the penguin along the x-axis = -Tension + Ffr1
mp = mass of the penguin = 4.9 kg
ap = acceleration of penguin = 0
Ffr1 = (coefficient of friction)(Normal Force)
Normal Force = Weight of the penguin
Weight of the penguin = mp(g)
g = gravity = 9.8 m/s^2
You find that the tension equals the force of friction in the opposite direction:
-T = -(0.175)*(4.05kg)*(-9.8 m/s^2)
T = - 6.945 N
B] By using the equation
Fx = mt(as)
where, Fx = sum of all forces acting on the sled along the x-axis
mt = total mass of the sled and the penguin = 10+4.05 = 14.05 kg
as = acceleration of the sled = unknown
A sum of all the forces gives you
F + Ffr1 + Ffr2 = mt(as)
where, F = applied force = 56.9 N
Ffr1 = force of friction between penguin and sled = - 6.945 N
Ffr2 = force of friction between sled and snow
Ffr2 = (coeff of friction)(Normal Force)
Normal Force = mt(g) = 14.05*9.8 = - 137.69 N
So,
56.9 N - 6.945 N – (137.69 N)*(0.175) = 14.05 kg * (as)
as = {56.9 N - 6.945 N – (137.69 N)*(0.175) }/14.05
= 1.84 m/s^2 answer