How to Calculate Average Resultant Force?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the average resultant force, one must consider the difference between two orthogonal vectors. The formula used is average force equals the change in momentum divided by time. In this case, the truck's initial speed is 6 m/s in the x-direction and 4 m/s in the y-direction. By finding the resultant vector and dividing by time, the correct average force can be determined. The final answer is confirmed to be correct using the magnitude of the vector.
jack1234
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[SOLVED] Average Resultant Force

Hi for this question
http://tinyurl.com/3cbxlq

What I try is
Average Force
=(mv-mu)/t
=2000(6-4)/4
=1000
but this is not one of the answers. Meaning it is wrong.

May I know how to do this question?
 
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Well one has to take the difference between two vectors which are orthogonal (90°). So find the resultant vector and divide by the time to obtain the average acceleration.

\frac{\Delta\vec{F}}{\Delta{t}}\,=\,m\frac{\vec{v_f}-\vec{v_i}}{\Delta{t}}

Assume the truck's initial speed is 6 i m/s and it takes a right turn and has speed 4 j m/s, where i and j are unit vectors in the x and y directions
 
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Got it, thanks :) Using magnitude of vector to get the answer, it is c.
 
Correct! :cool:
 
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