How to find the net force, acceleration, and speed of Hovercraft?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a toy hovercraft with a specified mass and forces exerted by its fans. Participants are tasked with determining the net force, acceleration, and final speed of the hovercraft under the assumption of no friction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the orientation of the fans and its impact on the net force. Questions arise regarding the application of vector algebra and the relevant equations of motion.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants seeking clarification on the setup and suggesting the use of fundamental physics principles like F=ma and kinematic equations. There is no explicit consensus yet, but various interpretations of the problem are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of fan orientation and the absence of friction, which may affect their calculations and assumptions.

turtle4yj
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A toy hovercraft has a mass of 914g. Each of the two fans pushes back on the air with a force of 0.38 N.

a. If there's no friction acting on the hovercraft, what is the net force acting on it?
b. What is the acceleration of the hovercraft?
c. If you start with the hovercraft at rest, and operated the fans for 5.0 , what will the final speed of the hovercraft be?

I think I'm supposed to get an equation for the net force but I'm not sure how to find the equation. The rest of them, I'm not so sure.
 
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How are the fans oriented?
 
Both fans are pointing towards one side
 
Are they oriented at an angle? If so, use vector algebra to find the net horizontal force. Then remember F=ma and time-dependent kinematics for the other two.
 
So if the hovercraft was a box shape, the fans are both oriented at 90 degree angles in the same direction.
 

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