Please explain the action of forces here

  • Thread starter Thread starter Asad Raza
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Explain Forces
AI Thread Summary
Two forces act on a 4.87-kg object accelerating at 5.47 m/s² in the positive y-direction, with one force of 12 N in the positive x-direction. The second force must have both x and y components to counteract the x-component of the first force and provide the necessary y-acceleration. Participants clarify that the first force only affects the x-direction, while the second force must compensate for this and ensure the object accelerates upward. The discussion emphasizes the need to analyze vector components to solve the problem correctly. Understanding the forces' directions is crucial for determining the magnitude of the second force.
Asad Raza
Messages
81
Reaction score
3

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?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
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?
 
  • Like
Likes CWatters
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.
 
Back
Top