Relating force, displacement, time and velocity

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
4 replies · 8K views
Ohoneo
Messages
22
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A duck has a mass of 2.7 kg. As the duck paddles, a force of 0.13 N acts on it in a direction due east. In addition, the current of the water exerts a force of 0.20 N in a direction of 54° south of east. When these forces begin to act, the velocity of the duck is 0.13 m/s in a direction due east. Find the magnitude and direction (relative to due east) of the displacement that the duck undergoes in 2.3 s while the forces are acting.


Homework Equations


F = ma
v2-v02 = 2a(x-x0)
x = x0+v0t+1/2 at2
v = vat


The Attempt at a Solution



First, I drew a diagram. The .13 N is a vector going from right to left. Then, the .20 N vector connects and heads south east. Because it is 54 degrees south of east, that means the interior angle where the two vectors join is 126 degrees.
I then found the results.
I found the resultant vector to be .293 N.
I then used the F=ma equation to find acceleration which I found to be .1096 m/s2.
I then plugged this into v = v a t (v = .13 + .1096 (2.3)) to find that final velocity was .38 m/s.
I then plugged all of this into the equation v2-v02 = 2a(x-x0).
I substituted: .382-.172 = 2(.1096)x
I solved for x to be .589
I then used my diagram to find tan-1(.2/.13) to get 59 degrees as an answer.

Unfortunately, all of this was wrong.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
try splitting up the .2oN force in a direction of 54 degrees south of east into vectors, and use those numbers to solve the rest.
 
Sniperman724 said:
try splitting up the .2oN force in a direction of 54 degrees south of east into vectors, and use those numbers to solve the rest.

Oops, sorry. I should have clarified that I did that. That's how I got the resultant vector; I found the components of the vector that had a force of .20 N. The vector in the x direction was .12 N and the vector in the y direction was -.16 N.
 
Ohoneo said:
As the duck paddles, a force of 0.13 N acts on it in a direction due east.
...
First, I drew a diagram. The .13 N is a vector going from right to left.

Right to left is due west.
 
vertigo said:
Right to left is due west.

Okay, apparently I'm terrible at explaining myself. I drew it left to right. Regardless, I made east the positive direction and south is the negative direction.