Question

The wind exerts a force of 452 N north on a sailboat while the water exerts a force of 325 N west on the sailboat. Find the magnitude and direction of the net force on the sailboat.

Answer 1

Answer

Stuart W.

Nov 8, 2015

Direction =

45

o

North of West (Due North-West)

Magnitude = 557 N

Explanation:

In this question you have a force (452N) due North and a force (325N) due West. Since these directions are

90

o

apart from one another the angle of the net force is

45

o

.

To calculate the magnitude you must reach WAAAAAY back in your math classes to the pythagorean theorem; since you can view these vectors as a triangle with the net force being the hypotenuse.

a

2

+

b

2

=

c

2

(

325

N

)

2

+

(

452

N

)

2

=

309929

N

2

You can then take the square root of your answer to find the magnitude in Newtons.

√

309929

N

2

=

557

N

Answer 2

Answer:

557 N

Explanation:

the net force=

$\sqrt((452)^{2}+ (325)^{2})$= 556.71 N

the direction is in the west of north