A child is pulling a sled of mass across level snow with a light rope that makes an…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A child is pulling a sled of mass ms across level snow with a light rope that makes an angle of 30∘ above the horizontal. The sled moves at constant speed. Ignore air resistance.
Answer the following questions about the interactions among the child, the rope, and the sled.
(1) Identify the action–reaction force pair that involves the sled and the rope. Use the format “force of ___ on ___.”
(2) Identify the action–reaction force pair that involves the child’s hand and the rope.
(3) Explain why none of the forces identified in parts (a) and (b) can cancel each other when you determine the net horizontal force acting on the sled.