Two forces and are applied to an object whose mass is 5.75 kg. The larger force is . When both forces point due east, the object's acceleration has a magnitude of 0.979 m/s2. However, when points due east and points due west, the acceleration is 0.639 m/s2, due east. Find (a) the magnitude of and (b) the magnitude of .

Question

Two forces  and  are applied to an object whose mass is 5.75 kg. The larger force is . When both forces point due east, the object's acceleration has a magnitude of 0.979 m/s2. However, when  points due east and  points due west, the acceleration is 0.639 m/s2, due east. Find (a) the magnitude of  and (b) the magnitude of .

Henry · Answer

Find?. F1+F2= M*a. Eq1: F1+F2 = 5.75 * 0.979 = 5.63 N. F1-F2 = M*a. Eq2: F1-F2 = 5.75*0.639 = 3.67 N. F1+F2 = 5.63 F1-F2 = 3.67 Sum: 2F1 = 9.30, F1 = 4.65 N. F1-F2 = 3.67, 4.65-F2 = 3.67, F2 = 0.98 N.