Calculate the angle between the displacement vector and the force vector

AI Thread Summary
To find the angle between the force vector F = 8i - 3j N and the displacement vector Δr = 2i + j m, the dot product is calculated as 13, and the magnitudes of the vectors are determined to be approximately 8.6 and 2.24, respectively. Using the formula for the angle, cos-1(13/19) yields an angle of about 46.4 degrees. However, discrepancies arise in calculations, with some participants reporting angles around 47.12 degrees due to rounding or different interpretations of conditions. It is advised to verify if the answer needs to be in radians and ensure all initial conditions are correct. Accurate calculations and attention to detail are crucial for obtaining the correct angle.
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Homework Statement



A force F = 8i-3i N acts on a particle that undergoes a displacement Δr = 2i + j m.
(b) What is the angle between F and Δr? (state your answer to three significant figures)

Homework Equations



Angle = cos-1 (A.B/ AB)

The Attempt at a Solution



W=13.1 J
AB= 8.5*2.23= 19
cos-1 (13.1/19)= 46.4
 
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I will assume that the force is F=8\hat{i}-3\hat{j}

the dot product between F and delta-r:
(8,-3)\cdot (2,1) = 8\cdot 2 + (-3)\cdot 1 = 13
the norm of F:
||F||=\sqrt{8^2 +3^2}
norm of delta-r :
||\Delta r|| =\sqrt{1^2+2^2}
I got 47.12 degrees but it seems you have used different conditions :/
 
I got 47.121 another time when I did not round, but even that gave me a wrong answer L: I am not sure what's wrong
 
If you are sending it to some kind of online checking system:
a. Check to see if they want it in radians.
b. Check if all of the starting conditions are correct.
c. Take into consideration that they make mistakes too.
 
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