Forces at Work: Solving for the Magnitude of Resistance

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lim
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Homework Statement



A 21.7 g arrow is shot through a 9.6 cm apple. If the arrow enters the apple at 38.5 m/s and emerges witha speed of 31.2 m/s in the same direction, what is the magnitude of the force with which the apple has resisted the arrow?

Homework Equations


vf^2 = vi^2 +2adeltax
f= ma

The Attempt at a Solution



31.2^2 = 38.5^2 +2(9.6)a
973.44 = 1482.25 + 19.2a
a = -26.5
ma=|-575|
f= 575 N
 
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lim said:

Homework Statement



A 21.7 g arrow is shot through a 9.6 cm apple. If the arrow enters the apple at 38.5 m/s and emerges witha speed of 31.2 m/s in the same direction, what is the magnitude of the force with which the apple has resisted the arrow?

Homework Equations


vf^2 = vi^2 +2adeltax
f= ma

The Attempt at a Solution



31.2^2 = 38.5^2 +2(9.6)a
973.44 = 1482.25 + 19.2a
a = -26.5
ma=|-575|
f= 575 N

Your method of calculation is correct. However, you need to watch out for the units. Convert them into proper units.
 
So mass should be in kg, so .0217(-26.5) = |-0.575| = 0.575 N, but it still said it was wrong. Am I forgetting something else?
 
lim said:
So mass should be in kg, so .0217(-26.5) = |-0.575| = 0.575 N, but it still said it was wrong. Am I forgetting something else?

Yes. The size of the apple. Convert that into m.