Don't know where to start on this problem

[Warpedintellect]

Homework Statement

A 1.25-kg object is moving in the x direction at 17.4 m/s. Just 3.41 s later, it is moving at 26.8 m/s at 34° to the x axis. What are the magnitude and direction of the force applied during this time?

Homework Equations

F = ma = m(v/t)

The Attempt at a Solution

I know that the initial force is 6.378N and after that I don't know where to go.

 

[Avodyne]

Force, acceleration, and velocity are all vectors. And acceleration is the change in velocity over the time interval.

 

[Warpedintellect]

so v2 - v1/ t is the Fnet acceleration, then i don't understand how you get the force acting upon it

 

[Avodyne]

\vec{F} = m\vec{a}

But I don't think you get the vector part, which is key. You should start this problem by asking yourself these questions:

What is the x component of the initial velocity?
What is the y component of the initial velocity?
What is the x component of the final velocity?
What is the y component of the final velocity?

Given the answers, you should be able to compute the x component of the acceleration and the y component of the acceleration. Then, the x component of the force and the y component of the force. Then, the magnitude of the force and its direction (expressed as an angle relative to the positive x axis).