Calculate force from wind on kite

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the x-component of the wind force acting on a kite with a mass of 3.8 kg, experiencing a tension of 8.7 N at an angle of 33.7 degrees and an acceleration of 6.28 m/s² at an angle of 38.7 degrees. The equation used is ƩF=ma, specifically for the x-direction, leading to the formula Fx,WK=[-m(a)+FTsinθ]/cosΦ. Participants highlight the importance of correctly interpreting angles and components in the calculations, emphasizing that the x-component of acceleration should include a negative sign due to its direction.

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Homework Statement



A large kite of mass 3.8kg is flying through the air on a windy day. Currently, the tension from the string on the kite has a magnitude of 8.7N at an angle θ=33.7 degrees. The current acceleration of the kite has a magnitude of a=6.28m/s/s at an angle \Phi=38.7 degrees. The only forces felt by the kite are its own weight, the tension from the string, and a foce from the wind. Find x-component of the force from the wind on the kite. The components of a are acos\Phi in the negative x-direction, and asin\Phi in the positive y-direction.

Homework Equations


ƩF=ma for the x and y directions


The Attempt at a Solution


ƩFx=m(acos\Phi)
FTsinθ-Fx,WKcos\Phi=m(acos\Phi))
Fx,WK=[-m(a)+FTsinθ]/cos\Phi

This doesn't seem to be working
 
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FTsinθ-Fx,WKcosΦ=m(acosΦ))

Here, you don't need to multiply Fx,WK by cosΦ because the fact that it is the x component 'takes into account' the angle of the wind force, if you see what I mean. Also, the angle wouldn't be the same as the angle of the acceleration of the kite anyway.

Also, you wrote: ƩFx=m(acosΦ) But it says in the question that the component of a in the negative x direction is acosΦ, so shouldn't there be a negative sign here?

Another possible reason that you might have the wrong answer is that you might have interpreted the angles wrong. I can't tell, because I don't know where the angles are being measured from / what direction, since I don't have the diagram.
 

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