Please explain the action of forces here

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves analyzing the forces acting on a 4.87-kg object that accelerates in the positive y-direction at 5.47 m/s². One of the forces is known to act in the positive x-direction with a magnitude of 12 N, prompting questions about the nature and direction of the second force required to achieve the observed acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the implications of the object's acceleration direction and the forces acting on it, questioning how a force in the positive x-direction can coexist with the observed acceleration in the positive y-direction. There are considerations about the components of the forces and the necessity of a second force to balance the x-component while providing the required y-acceleration.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the forces involved. Some suggest drawing vector diagrams to clarify the relationships between the forces, while others emphasize the need for both components in the second force to achieve the desired acceleration. There is no explicit consensus yet, but productive dialogue is occurring regarding the components of the forces.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of any mention of gravitational forces in the problem statement, leading to questions about the assumptions regarding the direction of the forces and the nature of the acceleration.

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Homework Statement



Two forces are acting on a 4.87-kg object that moves with acceleration 5.47 m/s^2 in the positive y-direction. If one of the forces acts in the positive x-direction and has magnitude of 12 N, what is the magnitude of the other force in N?

Homework Equations


F=ma

The Attempt at a Solution


I couldn't figure this out. If the object accelerates in positive y direction, then the resultant force must be in the same direction. Now, if one force is acting in positive x direction, how can another force act in such a way that the object moves in positive y direction. This is only possible when the second force acts to the north west direction. No?
 
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Yes, your ##\vec F## will have both an x-component and a y-component. There's also one other essential force that acts on the object in the y-direction. Try drawing a diagram of the vectors you will be adding. I don't believe you'll need the x-component for this calculation, but someone feel free to correct me if I am wrong.
 
Eclair_de_XII said:
There's also one other essential force that acts on the object in the y-direction
No. We are told two forces act, and there is no basis for assuming any gravity is present, nor that y is vertical.
Eclair_de_XII said:
I don't believe you'll need the x-component for this calculation
It will be needed.
 
Asad Raza said:
This is only possible when the second force acts to the north west direction. No?
It implies the second force has both x and y components, but necessarily exactly NW.
 
Does the positive y direction imply that it will have no x component--it goes straight up. If yes, how would we get to know the angle at which it acts?
Also, the force that acts in positive x direction only has one component or will it have an upward component too? If yes, what angle?
 
Asad Raza said:
Does the positive y direction imply that it will have no x component--it goes straight up. If yes, how would we get to know the angle at which it acts?
Also, the force that acts in positive x direction only has one component or will it have an upward component too? If yes, what angle?
The way I read the question, the first force has an x component only and the acceleration has a y component only.
 
haruspex said:
The way I read the question, the first force has an x component only and the acceleration has a y component only.
So the only force that remains is the second force that SHOULD have two components: one to cancel the x component of 12N and the other one to accelerate the mass in positive y direction. Correct?
 
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Asad Raza said:
So the only force that remains is the second force that SHOULD have two components: one to cancel the x component of 12N and the other one to accelerate the mass in positive y direction. Correct?
Right.
 
haruspex said:
Right.
Thank you so much.
 

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