How Do Lifeguards' Forces Affect Raft Movement?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the forces exerted by lifeguards on a raft and their effects on the raft's movement. The problem involves determining the magnitudes of two forces based on given net external forces in different scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the magnitudes of two forces based on the net forces experienced by the raft. Some participants question the accuracy of the original poster's entries and suggest checking against external sources.

Discussion Status

Participants are engaged in clarifying the correctness of the original poster's calculations and addressing potential entry errors in an online tool. There is a focus on ensuring the correct identification of larger and smaller forces.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of potential confusion regarding the assignment to which the answers were submitted, indicating a possible constraint in the original poster's context.

anglum
Messages
275
Reaction score
0
Two lifeguards pull on ropes attached to a raft. If they pull in the same direction, the raft experiences a net external force of 357 N to the right. If they pull in opposite directions the raft experiences a net external force of 127N to the left.

A what is the magnitude of the larger of the two forces?

B what is the magnitude of the smaller of the two forces?

answer in units of N

I tried doing F1=F2 = 357 and F1-F2 = -127

and solved for F1 and F2

F1= 115
F2 = 242

however those answers were incorrect... please help
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What is one checking against - book or on-line?
 
Seems correct to me. Did you enter the answers with 242N as the larger and 115N as the smaller?
 
yeah they were correct I am dumb and entered them in for the wrong assignment GRRRR
 
learningphysics said:
Seems correct to me. Did you enter the answers with 242N as the larger and 115N as the smaller?
I was wondering about the order of the answers. One has to be careful with online tools.
 

Similar threads

How Do You Calculate the Forces Exerted by Each Lifeguard on a Raft?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Help with force question? i dont know how to get the right answer?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
How Should Forces Be Calculated in a Truck-Trailer System?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
6K
Tension, Angles, Forces Problem
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
How Do Velocity and Acceleration Change Under Unbalanced Forces?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
How Does Child Movement Affect Torque and Force Distribution on a Plank?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
6K
Solving Two-Horse Stump Pulling Problem: Find F2
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
Solving Cart Force Question: Magnitude & Direction
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
8K
Confusion about how to identify lever arm
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
8K
Newton's Second Law Homework: Forces, Accelerations, Angles
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K