What is the work done by a horse that exerts an applied force of 100 N on a sleigh, if the harness makes an angle of 30° with the ground, and the sleigh moves 30 m across a flat level ice surface?

1 Answer
Jun 1, 2018

I get approximately #2598.1# joules.

Explanation:

Work done is given by the equation,

#W=F*d*costheta#

where:

  • #W# is the work done in joules

  • #F# is the force in newtons

  • #d# is the distance moved in meters

  • #theta# is the angle of incline in degrees

So, we get:

#W=100 \ "N"*30 \ "m"*cos 30^@#

#=3000 \ "N m"*sqrt3/2#

#=1500sqrt3 \ "N m"#

#~~2598.1 \ "N m"#

#=2598.1 \ "J" \ (because 1 \ "J"=1 \ "N m")#