Laws of Motion-magnitude/accel-Gerry has mass issues

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the acceleration of Gerry's sailboat under the influence of two forces: 420 N south from the wind and 160 N west from the water. The total force acting on the boat is determined to be approximately 449.44 N using the Pythagorean theorem. To find the acceleration, Newton's second law (F=ma) is applied, given the combined mass of the boat and Gerry is 320 kg. Additionally, participants suggest visualizing the forces by drawing the resultant vector to determine the direction of acceleration. The conversation emphasizes the importance of both magnitude and direction in solving the problem.
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Homework Statement


The wind exerts a force of 420 N toward the south on the sails of Gerry’s sailboat, while the water exerts a force on the sailboat of 160 N west.The boat and Gerry have a combined mass of 320 kg, what are the magnitude and direction of the sailboat’s acceleration?

Homework Equations


f= sqrt(Force 1^2+Force 2^2)

The Attempt at a Solution


I need to find the total force of the boat.

F=sqrt((420)^2+(160)^2))

F=sqrt(202000)

F=449.44 N

I would appreciate some guidance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Since you found the magnitude of the net force on the boat, to get the magnitude of the acceleration now you can apply Newton's second law, F=ma.

To find the direction of the force and the acceleration try drawing the resultant vector of the two force vectors.
 

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