Calculating Acceleration: Understanding Horizontal Forces on a 3kg Mass

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the acceleration of a 3kg mass subjected to two horizontal forces: one of 9.0 N due east and another of 8.0 N at an angle of 62 degrees north of west. Participants are questioning the provided answer of 2.9 m/s² from the textbook and exploring the components of the forces involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are discussing the decomposition of forces into components, specifically questioning whether all components of the forces have been accounted for, particularly the northward component of the second force. There is also mention of using trigonometry to add the force vectors.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants suggesting that the textbook's answer may be correct while others express confusion about the calculations. There is no explicit consensus, but guidance on considering all components of the forces has been provided.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the implications of missing components in their calculations and the potential for misunderstanding the problem setup. There is an emotional element present, with expressions of frustration regarding their understanding of the topic.

RadiationX
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only two horozontal forces act on a 3kg mass. one force is 9.0 N acting due east, and the other is 8.0 N acting 62 degrees north of west. what is the magintude of the body's acceleration.


The answer in the book is 2.9 m/s^2. but how can this be?

shouldn't the solution be (9 + 8cos(118))/3 = 1.74808 m/s^2 ?
 
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you are missing a component of the force

Sure you got that first part right but you're missing the fact that there is ANOTHER COMPONENT of force being appleid on this object. You decomposed that 8N force in 8cos 62 and 8sin62 what hapopened to the 8sin62?
 
What about the northward component of the second force?

The book's answer is correct.
 
damn is all i can say
 
You can deal with x and y components separately as you did, or you can use trigonometry to add the two force vectors.
 
"i can't be this dumb. can i? "

Don't ask questions like that! You might not like the answers!
 

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