Finding acceleration of 120kg asteroid pushed by three jetpacks

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
3 replies · 2K views
suspenc3
Messages
400
Reaction score
0
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?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
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.
 
the numerical answer is correct, but the unit is m/s^2.