A barge of mass 5.00 * 104 kg is pulled along the Erie Canal by two mules, walking along towpaths parallel to the canal on either side of it. The ropes harnessed to the mules make angles of 45.0° to the canal. Each mule is pulling on its rope with a force of 1.10 kN. How much work is done on the barge by both of these mules together as they pull the barge 141.0 m along the canal?

Question

Physics

Xander Gates

20 April, 05:27

A barge of mass 5.00 * 104 kg is pulled along the Erie Canal by two mules, walking along towpaths parallel to the canal on either side of it. The ropes harnessed to the mules make angles of 45.0° to the canal. Each mule is pulling on its rope with a force of 1.10 kN. How much work is done on the barge by both of these mules together as they pull the barge 141.0 m along the canal?

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Answers (1)

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Cesar Callahan · Answer 1

Answer: 219,344.5 j

Explanation:

from the question we have the following parameters

mass of barge (m) = 5 x 10^4 kg

angle of ropes (θ) = 45 degrees

force by each mule (F1) = 1.10 kN = 1100 N

force by each mule (F2) = 1.10 kN = 1100 N

distance (s) = 141 m

work done by the mules = force x cos θ x distance

since we are calculating the force of both mules we have to both mules before we can use in the equation

force = 1100 + 1100 = 2200 N

work done = 2200 x cos (45) x 141

work done = 219,344.5 j