The force exerted by the wind on the sails of a sailboat is 500 N north. The water exerts a force of 150 N east. If the boat (including its crew) has a mass of 290 kg, what are the magnitude and direction of its acceleration?

Answer 1

Forces North = 500
Force East = 150

acceleration North = 500/290 = 1.72 m/s^2
acceleration East = 150/290 = .517 m/s^2

magnitude = sqrt(1.72^2+.517^2)
= 1.80 m/s^2

tan of angle north of east = 1.72/.517
so direction = 73.3 deg N of E
or
16.7 deg East of North