Calculating Acceleration: 3 Astronauts, 120kg Asteroid & Jetpacks

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the acceleration of a 120kg asteroid being pushed by three astronauts with jetpacks. The total force exerted by the astronauts is represented as F1, F2, and F3, with calculations involving trigonometric components based on their angles. The resulting acceleration is expressed in unit vector notation as 0.818 m/s² in the i direction and -0.163 m/s² in the j direction. Corrections were made regarding the direction of F2 and the angle for F3, confirming the numerical answer is correct but should be stated in m/s². The final consensus emphasizes the importance of accurate vector representation in the calculations.
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3 astronauts propelled by jetpacks are pushing a 120kg asteroid, exerting the forces shown:

http://img463.imageshack.us/img463/1194/phys39at.png

Find the acceleration in unit vectore notation!


So Far i have:

F1+F2+F3 = ma
F1=(32N)i(cos30) , (32N)j(sin30)

F2=(50N)i

F3=(41N)i(cos60) , (41N)i(sin60)

do the math and...

0.818m/s(i) - 0.163(j) = a

Is this correct?
 
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Assuming the directions of the forces are outward,
F2= 55 i according to your diagram.
For F3, you should use an angle of 360-60=300 degree.
 
sorry..typo
i meant it to be -60 degrees
 
the numerical answer is correct, but the unit is m/s^2.
 
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