Sue's brother is on a sled on top of ice (assume no friction). Sue is pulling her brother with 15 N of force at a 38 degree angle above the horizontal. Calculate the work done if she pulls him for 50 meters.

Using the equation W = F * d we know work is equal to the force in the same direction as the distance moved. To find the force in the same direction as the distance we must find the horizontal component. To find the x-component we need cos(38), remember to put your calculator in degree mode! Now multipy the answer by the 15N of force to find the magnitude. The force in the direction of the distance travled is then 11.82N. The question gives the distance to be 50m. Plugging our values into the equation gives W = 11.82 * 50 which is 591.0J 

EB
Answered by Emily B. Physics tutor

1895 Views

See similar Physics IB tutors

Related Physics IB answers

All answers ▸

A ball mass 2kg rests on a slope of angle 60 degrees. If it is stationary, calculate the coefficient of static friction


Explain the Lorenz force


A ball of mass m with initial velocity u rebounds from a wall, with final velocity v. Using Newton's laws of motion explain forces acting in the system.


What are elastic and inelastic collisions? After a head on elastic collision of two balls of mass m1 and m2, deduce an equation relating the final and initial velocities of both balls.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning