Net force acting on a ping-pong ball

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the net force acting on a ping-pong ball when a paddle exerts a force of 7.8 N at an angle of 29° above the horizontal, while the ball's weight is 0.50 N. The initial calculation of net force as 3.41 N was questioned, as it incorrectly multiplied forces without considering vector addition. Participants emphasized the importance of drawing a free body diagram and using trigonometric functions to resolve forces into components. A more accurate net force calculation yielded approximately 7.57 N at an angle of 25.7°. Proper vector addition is crucial for solving such physics problems accurately.
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Homework Statement
A ping-pong ball has a weight of 0.50 N. While in contact with a paddle the paddle exerts a force of 7.8 N at 29° above the horizontal.
Relevant Equations
Determine the net force acting on the ball at this instant.
w= 0.50N, Fn= 7.8N, angle= 29
Fnet= Fn*fd* costheta
= 7.8*0.50*cos(29
= 3.41
is my answer correct
 
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bbbbb said:
Homework Statement:: A ping-pong ball has a weight of 0.50 N. While in contact with a paddle the paddle exerts a force of 7.8 N at 29° above the horizontal.
Relevant Equations:: Determine the net force acting on the ball at this instant.

w= 0.50N, Fn= 7.8N, angle= 29
Fnet= Fn*fd* costheta
= 7.8*0.50*cos(29
= 3.41
is my answer correct
What's the logic behind your calculation?
 
bbbbb said:
Fnet= Fn*fd* costheta
= 7.8*0.50*cos(29
= 3.41
is my answer correct
3.41 cows? No, that's not even a force. How could it be correct?
 
what do I like the steps to get the answer to the question
 
bbbbb said:
Homework Statement:: A ping-pong ball has a weight of 0.50 N. While in contact with a paddle the paddle exerts a force of 7.8 N at 29° above the horizontal.
Relevant Equations:: Determine the net force acting on the ball at this instant.

w= 0.50N, Fn= 7.8N, angle= 29
Fnet= Fn*fd* costheta
= 7.8*0.50*cos(29
= 3.41
is my answer correct
I cannot think of any situation where it would make sense to multiply two forces.
Have you drawn a free body diagram? That should always be the first step.
Do you know how to add forces vectorially?
 
I do not know how to add forces vectorially?
Yes but I am not sure if it's correct.
 
bbbbb said:
I do not know how to add forces vectorially?
Yes but I am not sure if it's correct.
Is that yes you have drawn a FBD? If so, please try to post it.
You do not have any chance of solving this question if you do not know how to add forces. Have you not been taught? Any notes?
Plenty of resources on the net, just search for "how to add forces" or "how to add vectors".
 
We have two forces acting on the ball.
the force of gravity, there is no component is the x direction and all of the force is in the negative x direction
i will do the components of both using fcosθ for the x- component and fsinθ for the y-component
 
bbbbb said:
We have two forces acting on the ball.
the force of gravity, there is no component is the x direction and all of the force is in the negative x direction
i will do the components of both using fcosθ for the x- component and fsinθ for the y-component
Here's an approximate answer. We have a force of ##7.8N## and a force of ##0.5N##, which is small compared to the first. The answer should be close to ##7.8N## in a direction not much different from the direction of the larger force. The answer can't be ##3.41N## or anything like that.
 
  • #10
For the Fnet I got 7.57N and the angle has 25.7
 
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  • #11
bbbbb said:
For the Fnet I got 7.57N and the angle has 25.7
That looks a lot better!
 
  • #12
Thank you.
 
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