Two forces, two angles; Net force = ?

In summary: Also, I think it would be helpful to have an explanation of what the error was for each step.Thank you for catching that! When you said sin(j/net), you were thinking of the sine of the angle between the two vectors, not the cosine of the angle. When you do sin(i/net), you're calculating the cosine of the angle between the vector and the origin, which is what you need to solve for in part (e). Finally, I would say it would be helpful to have an explanation of what the error was for each step.
  • #1
MaximaMan
10
0
Greetings everyone! Thanks in advance for the help!

Homework Statement



Two parts to the problem. For both parts it asks for the magnitude of the net force and the direction of angle from the X axis.

Part A:

Two forces, F1 and F2, act on an object at rest at a 90* angle. F1 = 30N, F2 = 11N, M = 9kg

|F1
|
|
|____F2___Part B:

F1/
./
/____ F2

Theta is 60*

The Attempt at a Solution



Part A:

For magnitude, I got 31.8N.
F-net = sqrt [ f1^2 + f2^2 ]

Angle: 24*Part B:

Magnitude:
F-net = F1 + F2
F1 = (30N) cos 0 + (30N) sin 0 => (30N) 1 + 0 => 30N
F2 = (11N) cos 60 + (11N) sin 60 => (11N) 1/2 + (11N) 0.8660 => 15N

Therefore, Fnet = 45N

Angle: 16*
I really don't think I came close to the answers...but someone let me know, please!
 
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  • #2
Part A:

The way you've calculated your magnitude is correct, so I suppose your answer is as well. (although I can't for my life figure out why on Earth you're given mass = 9kg.)

How did you calculate the angle? Because I don't get the angle to be 24 degrees.. (it's a bit because the y-component is larger than the x-component - how can the net force be closer to the x than the y, if you understand what I mean?)

Part B:

Here you need to find the x and y components of the force F1, first. This isn't what you've done. The x-component of it will work together with F2 in the horizontal, and the y-component will be alone in the vertical. The total x and y components will be at 90 degrees to one another and you find the net force from there.
 
  • #3
I agree with your magnitude in Part A, but like Hannisch said, I don't think your angle is right. Remember that [tex]arctan(\frac{opposite}{adjacent})=\theta[/tex]. Also, it is imperative that you define the reference point for your angle! Is it 24o above the horizontal, below the horizontal, or is it measured from the vertical? (24 doesn't work for any of these references, but I hope you see my point).
 
  • #4
Wow I am sorry. Somehow I mistyped. F1 is on the X-axis(0*) and F2 is the other Tangent at the angle, not the other way around. That is how I got 24* (though I still think it is probably wrong).Thanks for the help guys, I am trying to get this as best I can.

side note, void, the question itself from the HW states the reference point for the angle. When it asks to solve, it solely asks for the numerical value. But I agree, reference point is always a necessity!
 
  • #5
Okay, so I redid everything. This is what I got.

PART A:

Magnitude: 31.95
Angle: sin x = 11 / 31.95 => 20.1*Part B:

Magnitude: 36.7
Angle: sin x = 9.5/36.7 => 15*
 
  • #6
I say I agree with you on those values. Intuatively they make sense (net force should get greater in B, angle should get smaller since they're closer together, etc) and with my quick calculations it seems correct.
 
  • #7
Okay, I am done with workin on that section. I am onto a new question and I got all parts of the answer right so far, except the last part. The question is:

Consider two vectors by A = 5 i - 3 j and B = - i - 6 j.

(a) Calculate A + B

4i + -9j

(b) Calculate A - B

6i + 3j

(c) Calculate |A + B|

9.84

(d) Calculate |A - B|

6.7

(e) What is the direction of A + B? (from the +x axis)

156* - wrong answer

I did: sin x = 4/9.84 => x = 24 => 180 - 24 => 156*

(f) What is the direction of A - B? (from the +x axis)

63.5* - wrong answer

I did: sin x = 6/6.7 => x = 63.5Can someone fill me in on what I did wrong?
 
  • #8
j is the 'vertical', right? I'd say sin(j/net) is the correct way to go.. you've done sin(i/net) which I think should be cosine.
 

1. What is the definition of net force?

Net force is the overall force acting on an object, taking into account both magnitude and direction. It is determined by combining all the individual forces acting on an object.

2. How do you calculate net force?

To calculate net force, you must first determine the individual forces acting on an object and their respective magnitudes and directions. Then, you can use vector addition to combine these forces and determine the resulting net force.

3. Can net force be zero?

Yes, net force can be zero if all the individual forces acting on an object cancel each other out. This means that the object will either remain at rest or continue to move at a constant velocity.

4. What happens when net force is not zero?

If net force is not zero, it will cause a change in the motion of an object. This could result in the object accelerating, decelerating, or changing direction.

5. How are two forces at different angles combined to determine net force?

To combine two forces at different angles, you can use trigonometric functions such as sine and cosine to find the horizontal and vertical components of each force. Then, you can add these components together to determine the resulting net force.

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