Solve Tension in Moving Speedboat w/o Mass?

[Balsam]

Homework Statement

Is it possible to solve for the magnitude of tension without using the mass of the object? : You use a string to suspend a cork ball with a mass of 22g from the ceiling of a moving speedboat. The ball and the string hang at an angle of 32.5degrees from the vertical. The acceleration of the speedboat is 6.2m/s^2. Determine the magnitude of tension in the string. Do you need to know the mass of the ball to make this calculation? Why or why not?

Homework Equations

Fnet=ma, (Fnet)x=ma=(Ft)x

The Attempt at a Solution

I solved this using the mass, but could not solve without using the mass. To solve, I just did

Fnetx=ma
ma=Ftx
ma=Ftsin32.5

I just subbed in m and a after that and solved for Ft. I got the right answer, which is 0.26N.

I wrote that you need the mass in order to solve for FT in this case.

Is this right?

 

[Chestermiller]

Does the question ask "Do you need to know the mass of the ball," or does it ask "Do you need to know the acceleration of the ball"?

 

[Balsam]

Does the question ask "Do you need to know the mass of the ball," or does it ask "Do you need to know the acceleration of the ball"?

Do you need the mass?

 

[Chestermiller]

Do you need the mass?

Yes.