# What is the resultant force and what is its consequent acceleration?

1. May 14, 2008

### looi76

[SOLVED] What is the resultant force and what is its consequent acceleration?

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/4810/assignment503ij5.png [Broken]
What is the resultant force acting on the object in the figure, and what is its consequent acceleration?

2. Relevant equations
$$F = m.a$$
Vertical component $$= F\sin\theta$$
Horizontal component $$= F\cos\theta$$

3. The attempt at a solution

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/4963/assignment50301fq6.png [Broken]

Horizontal Component $$= \cos{45} \times 60 = 42.4N$$
Vertical Component $$= \sin{45} \times 60 = 42.4N$$

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/1580/assignment50302ns9.png [Broken]

Horizontal Component $$= \cos{30} \times 60 = 52.0N$$
Vertical Component $$= \sin{30} \times 60 = 30N$$

Total Horizontal Component $$= 52 - 42 = 10N$$
Total Vertical Component $$= 42 - (30 + 5) = 7N$$

$$c^2 = a^2 + b^2$$
$$x^2 = 7^2 + 10^2$$
$$x = \sqrt{7^2 + 10^2}$$
$$x = 12.2N$$

$$F = m.a$$

$$a = \frac{F}{m} = \frac{12.2}{5.0} = 2.4ms^{-2}$$

Last edited by a moderator: May 3, 2017
2. May 14, 2008

### Hootenanny

Staff Emeritus
You should be careful when applying these formulae, they are not universally valid. To use these formulae the angle must be measured from the horizontal. For example,
This is not correct, since the angle is measured from the vertical.
However, this solution is correct.

In general, it is better to understand how to resolve vectors rather than remembering specific formulae.

Last edited by a moderator: May 3, 2017
3. May 14, 2008

### looi76

Thnx Hootenanny, but if I measure it from the horizontal its the same because the angle is $$45^o$$ and is the final answer wrong?

4. May 14, 2008

### Hootenanny

Staff Emeritus
Your final answers look okay to me (but I haven't checked your arithmetic), just be careful of rounding errors since you round off early in your calculations. I just wanted to emphasise that it is better to know how to result vectors rather than remembering formulae.

Secondly, remember than force and acceleration are vectors. Therefore, you need to quote the direction is which they act.