Calculating Force of Asteroid Slowing Down

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The discussion centers on calculating the force exerted on an asteroid with a mass of 4.10 x 10^4 kg as it slows from 7100 m/s to 5700 m/s over a distance of 1.50 x 10^6 m. The work done on the asteroid is given as -3.6736e11 J, and the force is calculated using the equation F = W/(s(cos(theta))). Participants clarify that the angle theta is assumed to be zero since no angles are mentioned, indicating the force acts in the direction of movement. The conversation also touches on the nature of work as a vector quantity and the urgency of completing the homework assignment. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between work, force, and distance in physics problems.
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Homework Statement




The asteroid has a mass of 4.10 x 10^4 kg, and the force causes its speed to change from 7100 m/s to 5700 m/s.

If the asteroid slows down over a distance of 1.50 x 10^6 m, determine the magnitude F of the force.


Homework Equations



w = -3.6736e11 J (I figured this out from a question before it that I didn't post)
F = W/(s(cos(theta)))

The Attempt at a Solution



F = (-3.6736e11) / ((1.50 x 10^6)(cos(theta)))

I was just wondering how you would find theta for this problem.
 
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Your s=distance? also since when was work a vector quantity? and theta should be zero since the problem never mentions any angles.
 
Yes. Sorry I didn't make that clear.
 
check my edit
 
I got it. Thanks for your help.
 
No problem just curious is this high school physics?
 
it seems that you have the right formulas. maybe you just complicated the question in high school.it wants us to find out the force in a giving distance, assuming that the force must be a constant of vector in the same direction of movement.

but for physics, i quite agree with you. we can't figure it out without theta.
conclusion is that:don't take too much time for the question in the books.
 
badreligion said:
No problem just curious is this high school physics?

Actually, yes. It was a webassign problem and the only one I had left so I was pretty anxious to get it done before it was time for me to submit it (hence why I ended up here after a few seconds on google lol).
 
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