Forces and vectors direction problem

AI Thread Summary
Two forces, F1 and F2, are acting on a particle, and the discussion revolves around calculating the particle's velocity, direction, displacement, and final coordinates after 10.3 seconds. The correct approach involves first calculating the net force by summing the forces, then determining acceleration by dividing the net force by the mass of the particle. The initial velocity is zero, so kinematic equations are used to find the final velocity and displacement. Participants emphasize that components of force do not equal components of velocity, and the velocity cannot be directly used to determine displacement over time due to its changing nature. Clarification on calculations and proper application of physics concepts is sought throughout the discussion.
nerdalert21
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Homework Statement



Two forces, vector F 1 = (4i+ 6j) N and vector F 2 = (4i+ 8j) N, act on a particle of mass 1.90 kg that is initially at rest at coordinates (+1.95 m, -3.95 m).

a)What are the components of the particle's velocity at t = 10.3 s?

b) In what direction is the particle moving at t = 10.3 s?

(c) What displacement does the particle undergo during the first 10.3 s?

(d) What are the coordinates of the particle at t = 10.3 s?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


For part a I tried dividing by the mass of the object to get Newtons to cancel to m/s^2
I also tried adding the two forces together, and adding -F2 to +F1 because in my textbook it says that once force is basically the opposite of the other
All of those were wrong
For part b, I took the arctan of 1.95 and -3.95 to get 63.7° but webassign said I was around 10% off on my answer
I haven't been able to do c or d yet
Any help or understanding as to what I did wrong would be greatly appreciated
 
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nerdalert21 said:
...
For part a I tried dividing by the mass of the object to get Newtons to cancel to m/s^2
I also tried adding the two forces together, and adding -F2 to +F1 because in my textbook it says that once force is basically the opposite of the other
The net force is always the sum of all forces acting on a body, you don't have to worry about the directions vectors will take care of that themselves.
Calculate the net force and use that to get acceleration and then the rest is easy just resolve everything into x and y components and use the kinematic equations.:wink:
 
Enigman said:
The net force is always the sum of all forces acting on a body, you don't have to worry about the directions vectors will take care of that themselves.
Calculate the net force and use that to get acceleration and then the rest is easy just resolve everything into x and y components and use the kinematic equations.:wink:

So your saying I just need to add the two forces together to get the components of the particles velocity?
So Final F= (4i+6j)N + (4i+8j)N and that is what would be the answer for part a?
I did that though. That was my first attempt at an answer
And it came out wrong
Maybe I am not understanding calculating the net force?
 
nerdalert21 said:
So your saying I just need to add the two forces together to get the components of the particles velocity?
Noooo...
Components of force ≠ Components of velocity.
When you add the forces you get the net force which when you divide by mass you get the acceleration. Now you already know initial velocity is zero and you now have the acceleration too. So just use the kinematic equations.
 
Enigman said:
Noooo...
Components of force ≠ Components of velocity.
When you add the forces you get the net force which when you divide by mass you get the acceleration. Now you already know initial velocity is zero and you now have the acceleration too. So just use the kinematic equations.

Ohhhh got it
Duh haha
Lets see if I can get it
 
Enigman said:
Noooo...
Components of force ≠ Components of velocity.
When you add the forces you get the net force which when you divide by mass you get the acceleration. Now you already know initial velocity is zero and you now have the acceleration too. So just use the kinematic equations.

No :/
Ok so I found the Final F to be (8.00i+16.00j)N
Acceleration is [(8i+16j)N]/1.90kg
Or [(8i+16j)m/s^2]/1.9

Then I used the kinematic equation where Vf=Vi+at
Because the Vi is 0 and I know the acceleration and time
But its still wrong
?
 
nerdalert21 said:
No :/
Ok so I found the Final F to be (8.00i+16.00j)N
...
But its still wrong
?

Check your net force.
 
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nerdalert21 said:
No :/
Ok so I found the Final F to be (8.00i+16.00j)N
Acceleration is [(8i+16j)N]/1.90kg
Or [(8i+16j)m/s^2]/1.9

Then I used the kinematic equation where Vf=Vi+at
Because the Vi is 0 and I know the acceleration and time
But its still wrong
?
Please show us the details of your calculations to get the components of the velocity at 10.3 seconds. In your equation for the acceleration, why didn't you divide the 8 and the 16 by 1.9? Anyhow, the 16 should be a 14.
 
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Enigman said:
Check your net force.

Yeah I messed up with the addition, so its (8.00i+14.00j) right?
 
  • #10
Chestermiller said:
Please show us the details of your calculations to get the components of the velocity at 10.3 seconds. In your equation for the acceleration, why didn't you divide the 8 and the 16 by 1.9? Anyhow, the 16 should be a 14.

In my calculations I did divide by 1.9
And yeah i fixed the 16 to a 14
 
  • #11
Oh nevermind I got it
Thanks for helping guys :)
 
  • #12
Actually quick question
For c and d

so c is asking for the displacement the particle undergoes during the first 10.3s?
Ive tried using the answer from part a for this part but every variation i use is wrong
The answer for a was (43.3i+75.9j) m/s
What am i doing wrong?
 
  • #13
nerdalert21 said:
Actually quick question
For c and d

so c is asking for the displacement the particle undergoes during the first 10.3s?
Ive tried using the answer from part a for this part but every variation i use is wrong
The answer for a was (43.3i+75.9j) m/s
What am i doing wrong?

You can't use the velocity after 10.3 seconds to get the displacement after 10.3 seconds. That is because the velocity is changing during those 10.3 seconds. The velocity at time zero was zero. Show us the equations you are using to get the velocity and displacement. Show us your calculations in detail.

Chet
 
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