Question

The force exerted by the wind on the sails of a sailboat is 400 N north. The water exerts a force of 190 N east. If the boat (including its crew) has a mass of 250 kg, what are the magnitude and direction of its acceleration?magnitude _____ m/s2direction _____ ° north of east

Answer 1

Given:

400 N (north)

190 N (east)

m = 250 kg

F ^2 = 400^2 + 190^2

F = √(400)^2 + (190)^2

F = 442.83 N

F = ma

a = F /m

a = 442.83 / 250 = 1.77 m/s^2 (Magnitude)

Tan (angle) = opposite / adjacent

angle = Arc Tan ( 400/190 ) = 64.6° North of east