Solving Physics Force Problems: Finding Resultant Force Components and Magnitude

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To solve the physics problem involving two forces, F_1 and F_2, it's essential to resolve each force into its x and y components. F_1, with a magnitude of 9.60 N at 61.0 degrees above the negative x-axis, and F_2, with a magnitude of 7.00 N at 53.7 degrees below the negative x-axis, must be analyzed using trigonometric functions. The resultant force components can be found by adding the respective x and y components of both forces. A common mistake is incorrectly multiplying the angles by the magnitudes instead of using sine and cosine functions for resolution. Properly calculating these components will lead to the correct magnitude of the resultant force.
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Homework Statement


Two forces, F_1 and F_2, act at a point. F_1 has a magnitude of 9.60 N and is directed at an angle of 61.0 degrees above the negative x-axis in the second quadrant. F_2_vec has a magnitude of 7.00 N and is directed at an angle of 53.7 degrees below the negative x-axis in the third quadrant.

1.) What is the x component F(x) of the resultant force?

2.) What is the y component F(y) of the resultant force?

3.) What is the magnitude F of the resultant force?

I have tried different methods but i think my approach is all wrong(mult. the degrees by the N) . does anyone know how to solve it?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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darealprince said:

Homework Statement


Two forces, F_1 and F_2, act at a point. F_1 has a magnitude of 9.60 N and is directed at an angle of 61.0 degrees above the negative x-axis in the second quadrant. F_2_vec has a magnitude of 7.00 N and is directed at an angle of 53.7 degrees below the negative x-axis in the third quadrant.

1.) What is the x component F(x) of the resultant force?

2.) What is the y component F(y) of the resultant force?

3.) What is the magnitude F of the resultant force?

I have tried different methods but i think my approach is all wrong(mult. the degrees by the N) . does anyone know how to solve it?

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


This is a vector addition problem.

Resolve the vector into its x,y components and add to find the Resultant vector components. Then just transfer the answers.

\vec{F_1} + \vec{F_2} = \vec{F_{Result}}
 
sorry but as i said before i have no clue as to how to solve this problem i added the two forces to find part 3 but i got 16.6 which turned out to be wrong. I have a problem in seperating the forces into an x and y component. How exactly do you go about doing that when you are given a problem like this?
 
darealprince said:
sorry but as i said before i have no clue as to how to solve this problem i added the two forces to find part 3 but i got 16.6 which turned out to be wrong. I have a problem in seperating the forces into an x and y component. How exactly do you go about doing that when you are given a problem like this?

OK. Here you go. This should be helpful:
http://id.mind.net/~zona/mstm/physics/mechanics/vectors/findingComponents/findingComponents.htm
 
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The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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