Questions: When an automobile travels uphill or downhill on a highway, it experiences a force due to gravity. This force in pounds is called grade resistance and is modeled by the following equation, where θ is the grade and W is the weight of the automobile.
F=W sin θ
What is the grade resistance of a 2000-pound car traveling on a 1.7° uphill grade?
The grade resistance is pounds.
Transcript text: When an automobile travels uphill or downhill on a highway, it experiences a force due to gravity. This force in pounds is called grade resistance and is modeled by the following equation, where $\theta$ is the grade and $W$ is the weight of the automobile.
\[
F=W \sin \theta
\]
What is the grade resistance of a 2000-pound car traveling on a $1.7^{\circ}$ uphill grade?
The grade resistance is $\square$ pounds.
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify the Given Values
We are given the weight of the car, \( W = 2000 \) pounds, and the angle of the uphill grade, \( \theta = 1.7^\circ \).
Step 2: Use the Grade Resistance Formula
The formula for grade resistance is given by:
\[
F = W \sin \theta
\]
Substitute the given values into the formula:
\[
F = 2000 \sin(1.7^\circ)
\]
Step 3: Calculate the Sine of the Angle
Calculate \(\sin(1.7^\circ)\) using a calculator:
\[
\sin(1.7^\circ) \approx 0.0297
\]
Step 4: Calculate the Grade Resistance
Substitute \(\sin(1.7^\circ)\) into the formula:
\[
F = 2000 \times 0.0297 = 59.4
\]
Final Answer
The grade resistance of the car is \(\boxed{59.4}\) pounds.