Two forces applied to car, direction?

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
2 replies · 2K views
cbchapm2
Messages
24
Reaction score
0
Two forces applied to car, direction??

Homework Statement


Here is my given diagram and problem:
Screen Shot 2013-02-06 at 2.04.05 PM.png



Homework Equations


I'm stuck on finding the direction. I tried using the equation theta=tan^-1(Ay/Ax), and the answer was incorrect.


The Attempt at a Solution


As you can see, I have the acceleration and the magnitude of the vector correct. My value for Ay=0.2378 and my value for Ax=0.03487. I know these are the correct values because I had to use them to find the other parts of the question, which are marked correct. This is what I did:
theta=tan^-1(0.2378/0.03487)
=81.7* It was marked incorrect on Webassign.

Where did I go wrong?

Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org


You've given the angle with respect to the positive x-axis.
They ask for it "to the right of the forward direction"
 


Solve using vector analysis of the 'head to tail rule'. Which then should allow you to solve for resultant angle using trigonometry, probably will need to use one of either cosine or sine rule.