How Do I Calculate the Net Force on Corner A in an Equilateral Triangle?

  • Thread starter Thread starter whyisad
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Assignment Forces
AI Thread Summary
To calculate the net force on corner A of an equilateral triangle with masses at each corner, first determine the gravitational force between the masses using F = G(m1*m2)/r^2. Since the triangle is equilateral, the angles between the forces acting on corner A from corners B and C are 60 degrees. Decompose these forces into their x and y components to account for direction. The net force can then be calculated by summing these components vectorially. This approach allows for an accurate determination of the net force experienced by corner A.
whyisad
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


There's an equilateral triangle with three objects on every corner. Corners named A, B, and C.
The mass of each:
A - 5.5 kg
B - 7.5 kg
C- 10.0 kg

The sides of the triangles are also 5.0 cm each.

There are no other forces acting on the corners. How do I calculate the net force experienced by A due to the other two objects, on corners B and C?

Homework Equations


Fnet = MA

The Attempt at a Solution


I couldn't really figure out the question... the only things I did were:
Used Fnet=MA to convert the mass of each corner into Newtons
I also realized it was an equilateral triangle, so each corner would be 60 degrees.. and therefore, we could find the exact direction that each corner is pulling towards... not sure if its relevant. They didn't give a mass for the entire triangle either, so I don't think I can find the total mass including the objects at the corners.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Are we talking about the force of gravity between the objects?
Or are the objects connected so there will be some tension force on one object due to the other two?
 
The forces of gravity between the objects, likely.
 
Draw the triangle first and look at it.
You should notice that point masses at either end of the base of the triangle have a force acting at 60 degrees from the top mass, and a parallel force coming from the opposing end of the base. Calculate the force of gravity between each mass, paying attention to the angle it's acting at, and split it into its components. (x)i +(y)j=Fg in vector form. Pay attention the direction and just add up the components that way. Magnitude of the vector is sqrt[(x)i^2+(y)j^2]
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top