How to Calculate Average Resultant Force?

Click For Summary
To calculate the average resultant force, one must consider the difference between two orthogonal vectors. The formula used is average force equals the change in momentum divided by time. In this case, the truck's initial speed is 6 m/s in the x-direction and 4 m/s in the y-direction. By finding the resultant vector and dividing by time, the correct average force can be determined. The final answer is confirmed to be correct using the magnitude of the vector.
jack1234
Messages
132
Reaction score
0
[SOLVED] Average Resultant Force

Hi for this question
http://tinyurl.com/3cbxlq

What I try is
Average Force
=(mv-mu)/t
=2000(6-4)/4
=1000
but this is not one of the answers. Meaning it is wrong.

May I know how to do this question?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Well one has to take the difference between two vectors which are orthogonal (90°). So find the resultant vector and divide by the time to obtain the average acceleration.

\frac{\Delta\vec{F}}{\Delta{t}}\,=\,m\frac{\vec{v_f}-\vec{v_i}}{\Delta{t}}

Assume the truck's initial speed is 6 i m/s and it takes a right turn and has speed 4 j m/s, where i and j are unit vectors in the x and y directions
 
Last edited:
Got it, thanks :) Using magnitude of vector to get the answer, it is c.
 
Correct! :cool:
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
1K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K