Balanced and unbalanced forces

  • Thread starter pt20army
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In summary, the net force on the hockey puck is 49.15 N in the x direction and 52.82 N in the y direction.
  • #1
pt20army
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The following forces act on a hockey puck (round, rubber disk) sitting on a frictionless surface: F_1 = 15.5 N at 15 degrees; F_2 = 27.9 N at 125 degrees; and F_3 = 31.7 N at 235 degrees. All the forces are in the plane of the ice. Determine the net force on the puck.


Fnetx= F1x-F2x-F3x=max, Fnety= F1y+F2y-F3y=may



F1x=15.5Ncos15=14.97
F1y=15.5Nsin15=4.01
F2x=27.9Ncos125= -16
F2y=27.9Nsin125=22.85
F3x=31.7Ncos235=-18.18
F3y=31.7Nsin235= -25.96

Fnetx=14.97+16+18.18=49.15
Fnety=4.01+22.85+25.96=52.82

Im getting this problem wrong and I am not sure where I am messing up.
 
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  • #2
Don't ignore the signs of the components when you add them up.
 
  • #3
pt20army said:
Fnetx= F1x-F2x-F3x=max, Fnety= F1y+F2y-F3y=may

You should simply sum the forces with the values you've computed for the x and y components:

Fnetx = F1x + F2x + F3x and similarly for Fnety
 

What are balanced and unbalanced forces?

Balanced and unbalanced forces refer to the overall net forces acting on an object. Balanced forces occur when the net force is equal to zero, meaning there is no change in the object's motion. Unbalanced forces occur when the net force is not equal to zero, resulting in a change in the object's motion.

What is an example of balanced forces?

An example of balanced forces is a book sitting on a table. The weight of the book is balanced by the equal and opposite force of the table pushing up on the book, resulting in no net force and no change in the book's motion.

What is an example of unbalanced forces?

An example of unbalanced forces is a person pushing a box across the floor. The person exerts a force in one direction, while the friction of the floor exerts an equal and opposite force in the opposite direction. This results in a net force and a change in the box's motion.

How do you calculate net force?

Net force is calculated by adding together all of the individual forces acting on an object. Forces in the same direction are added together, while forces in opposite directions are subtracted. The resulting value is the net force acting on the object.

What is the relationship between balanced/unbalanced forces and Newton's Laws of Motion?

Balanced and unbalanced forces are essential concepts in understanding Newton's Laws of Motion. Newton's First Law states that an object at rest will remain at rest or an object in motion will continue in motion at a constant velocity unless acted upon by a net force. This concept is related to balanced forces. Newton's Second Law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force and inversely proportional to its mass. This concept is related to unbalanced forces.

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