Why is the acceleration in the same direction as the net force and friction?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on the relationship between friction, net force, and acceleration in a physics problem. The user questions why the equation -fk = ma is used when both friction and acceleration are in the negative direction. They clarify that the negative sign indicates the direction of friction, while the net force and acceleration are also negative, leading to confusion about the signs in the equation. The explanation emphasizes distinguishing between the magnitude of vectors and their components, ultimately confirming that the equation correctly represents the relationship under Newton's second law. Understanding vector components is crucial for accurately interpreting the forces at play in the scenario.
undividable
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My question is simple, in the problem on the picture that i uploaded, why is -fk =ma
I understand the friction is in the negative direction, só it is negative, but the netforce, and the aceleration, are also in the negative direction ,só why are they positive? Shouldt it be -fk=-ma ?
 

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If you follow the rule that taking off the arrowhead gives the magnitude, you can write:
##-f_k=m a_x## or ##-f_k=-ma##.
That is, distinguish the "magnitude of the vector" ##a=\left|\vec a\right|## from its x-component ##a_x##.

From the beginning...
In vector-form,
it's ##\vec f_k \stackrel{this\ problem}{=}\vec F_{net} \stackrel{Newton II}{=} m\vec a##.
In component-form,
it's ##(f_k)_x=F_{net,x}=ma_x##.

Based on the diagram, with the given friction force vector and the positive-x direction to the right,
this can be rewritten as
##-\left|\vec f_k\right|=ma_x##. ( So, since ##m>0##, we expect ##a_x<0##. )
The left-side is in terms of the magnitude of ##\vec f_k## and the right-side is in terms of the x-component of ##\vec a##.

We could also write both sides in magnitude-form.
##-\left|\vec f_k\right|=m(-\left|\vec a\right|)##, or ##-\left|\vec f_k\right|=-m\left|\vec a\right|##.
 
undividable said:
My question is simple, in the problem on the picture that i uploaded, why is -fk =ma
I understand the friction is in the negative direction, só it is negative, but the netforce, and the aceleration, are also in the negative direction ,só why are they positive? Shouldt it be -fk=-ma ?
Use the same process I explained last time.
 
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