Acceleration in 2 component directions

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the acceleration of a 100kg ship using component analysis in both x and y directions. The net force equations are established, with the x component yielding an acceleration of 4.01 m/s² and the y component initially miscalculated but corrected to reflect a negative acceleration. The negative y acceleration indicates that the ship is accelerating downward, while the positive x acceleration suggests movement in the positive x direction. Participants clarify that the negative acceleration in the y direction does not imply a change in the ship's overall direction but rather a decrease in velocity in that component. Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes understanding how the components of acceleration affect the ship's motion over time.
get_physical
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Homework Statement



Find acceleration of 100kg ship using a component solution.

Homework Equations



Fnet = ma

The Attempt at a Solution


break into x and y components? so that Fnet for x = 150cos20 + 300cos30 = 100a and so a = 4.01 in x direction.

Fnet for y = 150sin20+ 300sin30 = 100a and so a = 2.01 in y direction.

And the mg = buoyant force?

Not sure if I'm doing this right..
 

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You did the x direction correctly, but not the y direction. The second term should be -300 sin 30. There is no need to do the z direction, since the problem statement is implicitly not asking for that.

Chet
 
If i do -300 then I get a negative force in the y component... does that mean the boat is moving in the south direction (south east direction?)
 
get_physical said:
If i do -300 then I get a negative force in the y component... does that mean the boat is moving in the south direction (south east direction?)
No. It means it's accelerating in that direction.
 
oh yes a negative acceleration in the y component and a positive in the x component. does that mean it is going to get straigther and straighter in the x direction?
 
get_physical said:
oh yes a negative acceleration in the y component and a positive in the x component. does that mean it is going to get straigther and straighter in the x direction?
What makes you think that?
 
because the acceleration is decreasing in the y component. Doesn't that mean velocity is going to become 0 in the y component? And since it's + in the x component, then it will be eventually only have velocity in the x component?
 
No. It just means that the velocity in the y direction will become zero and then negative. As time progresses, it will become even more negative.
 
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