Finding magnitude of vector without direction (kite problem)

AI Thread Summary
A child is flying a 6.8 kg kite experiencing a tension of 17.0 N at a 32.6° angle from the vertical, with an acceleration of 7.72 m/s² at a 37.6° angle. The discussion revolves around applying Newton's second law to determine the wind force acting on the kite. The user attempted to solve for the angle and magnitude of the wind force using a free body diagram and component equations but initially arrived at an incorrect answer. Ultimately, they resolved the issue by suggesting the use of a tilted coordinate axis aligned with the acceleration direction for similar problems. The thread emphasizes the importance of proper coordinate systems in physics problems involving vectors.
Lorelei42
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Homework Statement


A child is flying a large kite of mass 6.8 kg on a windy day. At the moment shown the tension from the string on the kite has a magnitude of 17.0 N and makes an angle of
char12.png
= 32.6° from the vertical, and the acceleration of the kite has a magnitude of ak = 7.72 m/s2 and makes an angle of
char1E.png
=37
char3A.png
6° from the vertical as shown in the figure below. The only forces felt by the kite are its own weight, the tension from the string, and a force from the wind.
(picture of problem, shows angles)
upload_2018-2-7_15-40-48.png

Homework Equations


Newton's second Law F(net)=m*a

The Attempt at a Solution



Knowns[/B]: m(kite)=6.8kg, θ(1)=32.6°(vertical angle between y-axis and string), Tension=T(yk)=17N, Φ=37.6°(angle between direction of acceleration and y-axis), a(k)=7.72m/s/s, a(g)=9.81m/s/s
Unknowns: F(wk), θ(2)(angle between wind and y-axis)(see FBD if unclear)

Free Body Diagram:
Free body diagram, apologies for poor handwriting/picture quality)
upload_2018-2-7_15-57-13.png


Equations in Component Form:
X: a*sinΦ*m(k)=F(wk)*sin(θ2)-T(yk)*sin(θ1)
Solved for F(wk) becomes: F(wk)=(a*sinΦ*m(k)+T(yk)*sin(θ1))/sin(θ2)

Y:a*cosΦ*m(k)=F(wk)*cos(θ2)-T(yk)*cos(θ1)-m*g
Solved for F(wk)=(a*cosΦ*m(k)+T(yk)*cos(θ1)+mg)/(cos(θ2))

Solve for θ2
Since both equations are set equal to F(wk) they can be set equal to each other:
(a*cosΦ*m(k)+T(yk)*cos(θ1)+mg)/(cos(θ2))=(a*sinΦ*m(k)+T(yk)*sin(θ1))/sin(θ2)
Add in the given knowns
(7.72*cos(37.6)*6.8+17*cos(32.6)+6.8*9.81)/(cos(θ2))=(7.72*sin(37.6)*6.8+17*sin(32.6))/sin(θ2)
Simplify
122.554/(cos(θ2)=41.189/sin(θ2)
Solve for (θ2)
sin(θ2)/cos(θ2)=41.189/122.554
tan(θ2)=0.336
(θ2)=arctan(.336)=18.57°

Substitute (θ2) back into equation to find F(wk)

xeq. F(wk)=122.554/cos(θ2)=122.554/cos(18.570=129.29N
yeq. F(wk)=41.189/sin(θ2)=41.189/sin(18.57)=129.29N

But apparently this is not the correct answer, so somewhere I went wrong in my process. Any friendly people care to show me where that "somewhere" was.
 

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Nevermind, I solved it.

For anyone else who has a similar problem I recommend using a tilted coordinate axis where the positive x direction is parallel to the direction of acceleration.
 
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