An oceanographer uses a digital tension sensor to measure the force required to retrieve a deep-sea monitoring package along a horizontal guide rail. Before retrieval begins, when the cable is slack and no tension is applied, the sensor has a zero error and reads −3.5 N-3.5\text{ N}−3.5 N.
While pulling the package at a constant speed, the tension measured by the sensor is recorded as 141.5 N141.5\text{ N}141.5 N. The package is pulled a distance of 24.0 m24.0\text{ m}24.0 m along the guide rail.
Calculate the actual work done to retrieve the package, taking into account the zero error of the sensor.
Use the equation:
work done=force×distance \text{work done} = \text{force} \times \text{distance} work done=force×distance