Find the magnitude and the direction of the resultant vector

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the magnitude and direction of resultant vectors in mechanics, specifically focusing on vector addition and the application of trigonometric functions to resolve components. Participants are analyzing various scenarios involving forces and their resultant vectors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants present calculations for resultant vectors using trigonometric identities and vector components. Some express confusion regarding the representation of results, while others suggest alternative methods for clarity. Questions about assumptions related to gravitational acceleration and the implications of negative directional results are raised.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights and corrections to each other's calculations. There is an ongoing exploration of different interpretations of the results, particularly regarding the direction of vectors and the use of specific values for gravitational acceleration. Some guidance has been offered on notation and representation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note discrepancies in the values used for gravitational acceleration, with references to both -10 m/s² and -9.8 m/s². There is also mention of homework constraints that may influence the calculations and assumptions being discussed.

chwala
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Homework Statement
See attached
Relevant Equations
Mechanics
Going through this ( Revision) A salways your insights are quite helpful.

1710413541299.png



I would like to go through all these questions; i will start with (5),


##\left( \dfrac {x} {y} \right)## = ##\left( \dfrac {10 \cos 40^0} {10 \sin 40^0} \right)## + ##\left( \dfrac {4 \cos 150^0} {4\sin 150^0} \right)## + ##\left( \dfrac {6 \cos 260^0} {6 \sin 260^0} \right) ## = ##\left( \dfrac {7.66} {6.43} \right) ## + ##\left( \dfrac {-3.464} {2} \right)## + ##\left( \dfrac {-1.042} {-5.91} \right) ## =


##\left( \dfrac {3.154} {2.52} \right)##


##R = \sqrt {3.154^2 + 2.52^2} = \sqrt {16.3} = 4.03## N

For direction,

##\tan^{-1} \dfrac{2.52}{3.154} = tan^{-1} 0.79898 = 38.6^0## anticlockwise from the x-axis.
 
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Looks fine.
 
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chwala said:
##\left( \dfrac {x} {y} \right)## = ##\left( \dfrac {10 \cos 40^0} {10 \sin 40^0} \right)## + ##\left( \dfrac {4 \cos 150^0} {4\sin 150^0} \right)## + ##\left( \dfrac {6 \cos 260^0} {6 \sin 260^0} \right) ## = ##\left( \dfrac {7.66} {6.43} \right) ## + ##\left( \dfrac {-3.464} {2} \right)## + ##\left( \dfrac {-1.042} {-5.91} \right) ## =
##\left( \dfrac {3.154} {2.52} \right)##
##R = \sqrt {3.154^2 + 2.52^2} = \sqrt {16.3} = 4.03## N

Expressing your results as fractions threw me off for a bit.
I would have used the LaTeX for matrices instead.
Here's your resultant as a column vector:
##\begin{bmatrix}3.154 \\ 2.52 \end{bmatrix}##
Click on what I wrote to see how I did this.
 
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I'll follow up on the rest of the questions as a bonus treat for the weekend. Cheers guys.
 
chwala said:
Homework Statement: See attached
Relevant Equations: Mechanics

Going through this ( Revision) A salways your insights are quite helpful.

View attachment 341764


I would like to go through all these questions; i will start with (5),

##\left( \dfrac {x} {y} \right)## = ##\left( \dfrac {10 \cos 40^0} {10 \sin 40^0} \right)## + ##\left( \dfrac {4 \cos 150^0} {4\sin 150^0} \right)## + ##\left( \dfrac {6 \cos 260^0} {6 \sin 260^0} \right) ## = ##\left( \dfrac {7.66} {6.43} \right) ## + ##\left( \dfrac {-3.464} {2} \right)## + ##\left( \dfrac {-1.042} {-5.91} \right) ## =


##\left( \dfrac {3.154} {2.52} \right)##
##R = \sqrt {3.154^2 + 2.52^2} = \sqrt {16.3} = 4.03## N
For direction,

##\tan^{-1} \dfrac{2.52}{3.154} = tan^{-1} 0.79898 = 38.6^0## anticlockwise from the x-axis.
Hey, I'm stuck in that labyrinth at the bottom of your post. Can you help me out??!!

Mentor note: Removed a bunch of HTML table tags
 
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For 6.
My lines are as follows,

##F_x = 24 + -19.2 = 4.8##

noting that ##g=-10## m/s^2.

##F_y = 7 + 14.8 + -20 = -1.8##

##F_{Resultant}=\sqrt {4.8^2 + (-1.8)^2}=\sqrt {26.28} = 5.126## to 3 decimal places.

##F = ma##

##a = \dfrac{5.126}{2} = 2.56## m/s^2.

For direction, i have ##\tan^{-1}\left[\dfrac{-1.8}{4.8}\right]=\tan^{-1} (-0.375)=- 20.6^0##.

Therefore the direction =##20.6^0## in the ##x## direction.
 
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chwala said:
For 6.
My lines are as follows,
##F_x = 24 + -19.2 = 4.8##
noting that ##g=-10## m/s^2.
That's a pretty rough approximation. A more precise value is -9.8 m/sec^2.
chwala said:
##F_y = 7 + 14.8 + -20 = -1.8##
I don't get a negative result, nor should you.
chwala said:
##F_{Resultant}=\sqrt {4.8^2 + (-1.8)^2}=\sqrt {26.28} = 5.126## to 3 decimal places.
It doesn't make sense to report a result to 3 decimal places when your value for g is so rough.
chwala said:
##F = ma##
##a = \dfrac{5.126}{2} = 2.56## m/s^2.
For direction, i have ##\tan^{-1}\left[\dfrac{-1.8}{4.8}\right]=\tan^{-1} (-0.375)=- 20.6^0##.
chwala said:
Therefore the direction =##20.6^0## in the ##x## direction.
???
Your previous result was -20.6°, which would mean that even with the engine running, the plane will not stay aloft very long. The resultant vector should have a direction that is positive relative to the x-axis, not one that is negative.

Also, in LaTeX you can write degrees using \circ rather than using 0 as an exponent. For example ##-20.6^{\circ}##. (Unrendered ##-20.6^{\circ} ##)
 
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Mark44 said:
That's a pretty rough approximation. A more precise value is -9.8 m/sec^2.

I don't get a negative result, nor should you.

It doesn't make sense to report a result to 3 decimal places when your value for g is so rough.


???
Your previous result was -20.6°, which would mean that even with the engine running, the plane will not stay aloft very long. The resultant vector should have a direction that is positive relative to the x-axis, not one that is negative.

Also, in LaTeX you can write degrees using \circ rather than using 0 as an exponent. For example ##-20.6^{\circ}##. (Unrendered ##-20.6^{\circ} ##)
Thanks @Mark44 , the cambridge textbook requires users to use ##g=10##m/s^2. Noted on the use of \circ ...also noted on my addition mistake...cheers
 
Last edited:
chwala said:
For 6.
My lines are as follows,

##F_x = 24 + -19.2 = 4.8##

noting that ##g=-10## m/s^2.

##F_y = 7 + 14.8 + -20 = -1.8##

##F_{Resultant}=\sqrt {4.8^2 + (-1.8)^2}=\sqrt {26.28} = 5.126## to 3 decimal places.

##F = ma##

##a = \dfrac{5.126}{2} = 2.56## m/s^2.

For direction, i have ##\tan^{-1}\left[\dfrac{-1.8}{4.8}\right]=\tan^{-1} (-0.375)=- 20.6^0##.

Therefore the direction =##20.6^0## in the ##x## direction.
correct @Mark44

##F_y =7_+14.8 -20 = 1.8## a positive value. Typo error... cheers.
 

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