Calculate Magnitude of 2nd Force on 2.7 kg Mass - Answer in N

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a 2.7 kg mass accelerating at 7 m/s² at an angle of 28 degrees north of east, with one known force of 12.6 N directed north. The objective is to determine the magnitude of a second force acting on the mass.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore various formulas to calculate the second force, including attempts to apply vector components and the Pythagorean theorem.
  • Some participants question the assumptions regarding the direction and magnitude of the known force, suggesting that the given value may not align with the expected calculations.
  • There are discussions about the net force and its components, with some participants attempting to clarify the relationships between the forces involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with multiple interpretations of the problem being explored. Participants have provided various equations and methods, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or solution. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of vector components, but confusion remains about the assumptions made in the problem setup.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential discrepancies in the problem statement, particularly regarding the magnitude of the known force and its direction. There is also uncertainty about the relationship between the forces and the net force acting on the mass.

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A 2.7 kg mass accelerates at 7 m/s^2 in a
direction 28 degrees north of east. One of the two
forces acting on the mass has a magnitude of
12.6 N and is directed north.
Determine the magnitude of the second
force. Answer in units of N.

I did F2= sqr rt (ma^2+ F1^2)

= 22.715 N

This is apparently incorrect. This seems too easy and yet I cannot figure it out. I'm assuming F2 is in the positive "x" direction w/o a "y" component.

Any help appreciated.
 
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I think your formula should be [itex]F_2 = \sqrt{(ma)^2 - F_1^2}[/itex] (remember [tex]c^2 = a^2 + b^2[/tex]) to get 14.09 N.
 
cscott said:
I think your formula should be [itex]F_2 = \sqrt{(ma)^2 - F_1^2}[/itex] (remember [tex]c^2 = a^2 + b^2[/tex]) to get 14.09 N.

This is not the answer... tried it and got it wrong :(

I also tried splitting up the the acceleration into x and y components and trying to solve it F1x+F2x = MAx; F1y+F2y=MAy F1x=0 F1y=12.6N

I solved it and then did sqr rt(F2x^2+F2y^2)


= 16.2662N


I only have 1 try left so it would be great if someone can help me out, please.
 
How come the force acting north has a magnitude of 12.6N? It should be [tex]masin(\theta)=F_N[/tex] which is 8.87N. Was 12.6 given?
 
The force you're trying to find must also have an y-component, otherwise cscotts formula would've worked.
 
Mindscrape said:
How come the force acting north has a magnitude of 12.6N? It should be [tex]masin(\theta)=F_N[/tex] which is 8.87N. Was 12.6 given?

The question states (as found in the original post):

"One of the two forces acting on the mass has a magnitude of 12.6 N and is directed north."

So assume the sole direction of F1 is North, or in the positive y direction.

Any ideas as to an equation or problem-solving technique to solve this?
 
To make sure I have this right:

-The net force (magnitude) of the two components is the [tex]7 \frac{m}{s^2} * 2.7kg = 18.9N[/tex]

-This magnitude has an angle of 28º north of east

-The north acting component of the net force is 12.6N

Unless physics isn't allowed to use vectors anymore, this is wrong.
 
Mindscrape said:
To make sure I have this right:

-The net force (magnitude) of the two components is the [tex]7 \frac{m}{s^2} * 2.7kg = 18.9N[/tex]

-This magnitude has an angle of 28º north of east

-The north acting component of the net force is 12.6N

Unless physics isn't allowed to use vectors anymore, this is wrong.

hmm... i don't know. I cut and pasted the question -- maybe the question is wrong?
 
ma cos28 = (F2) cos@
ma sin28 = (F1) + (F2) sin@

@ is the angle F2 makes north of east

eliminate @ to get F2

M.P.
 
  • #10
mukundpa said:
ma cos28 = (F2) cos@
ma sin28 = (F1) + (F2) sin@

@ is the angle F2 makes north of east

eliminate @ to get F2

M.P.


ma cos28 / cos@ = ma sin28 - F1 / sin@

tan@ = ma sin28 - F1/ ma cos28

@ = tan -1 (ma sin28 - F1/ ma cos28)

F2x = 17.09883283
F2y = -17.09883283

F2 = sqr rt ( 17.09883283^2 * 2)

= 24.18140129 N?

This comes up as wrong. I don't know -- maybe I made a math mistake.

Thanks for the help though.
 
  • #11
solve in this way

F2 cos@ = macos28 = 16.688N
F2 sin@ = masin28 - F1 = -3.727 N

squaring and adding F2 = 17.1 N (please check the calculations)

Who told you that the two forces are perpendicular or F2 is towards east?

M.P.
 
  • #12
mukundpa said:
solve in this way

F2 cos@ = macos28 = 16.688N
F2 sin@ = masin28 - F1 = -3.727 N

squaring and adding F2 = 17.1 N (please check the calculations)

Who told you that the two forces are perpendicular or F2 is towards east?

M.P.


I think that's it. Thanks for the help!
 

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