Mechanics Problem: Pushing a heavy desk across a floor

[naushaan]

Homework Statement

hey guys, I'm a bit stuck on this question for my assignment:

Relevant Equations

Two students are trying to move a heavy desk, mass = 48 kg, across a smooth floor by applying forces
F1 = 20.4 N and F2 = 14.7 N in a horizontal direction. They have put smooth cloth under the feet of the desk to stop it scratching the highly polished timber floor. Initially they apply the forces at right angles to each other. (Assume the desk moves in the xy-plane.) (Assume F1 lies along the positive x-axis and F2 lies in the positive y direction.)

(a) Find the acceleration of the desk. Write the acceleration as a vector. (Assume F1 lies along the positive x-axis and F2 lies in the positive y direction.)
(b) If they push so that the angle between the direction of the forces is 60°, what is the acceleration of the desk? (Assume F1 lies along the positive x-axis and F2 lies in the positive y direction.)
(c) If the forces are parallel, what is the acceleration of the desk? (Assume F1 lies along the positive x-axis.)
(d)If they are anti-parallel, what is the acceleration of the desk? (Assume F1 lies along the positive x-axis.)

Would really appreciate any help!

.

 

[Lnewqban]

What work have you done so far?
Any schematic with magnitudes and directions of forces as described in the problem?
What are you studying now?

 

[naushaan]

i'm not sure where to start!

 

[Lnewqban]

What are you studying now?

 

[naushaan]

First year physics at university

 

[jbriggs444]

First year physics at university

In this course, can you provide an example of something that they have taught you?

 

[Lnewqban]

First year physics at university

Congratulations!
The problem is asking you about the acceleration the desk reaches under the influence of several combinations of forces.
You know that the magnitude of that acceleration is directly proportional to the vector force that results from adding the vector force exerted by each person pushing the desk.
In order to facilitate that vectorial addition (or subtraction), you should create an imaginary system of x-y coordinates.

 

[haruspex]

i'm not sure where to start!

Where you should always start with mechanics problems: free body diagrams.

 

[naushaan]

thank you for your help!

 

[Lnewqban]

thank you for your help!

You are welcome.
Could you solve the problem?
If still working on it, please see:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/vect.html#veccon