Question

An eagle descends steeply onto its prey. Its weight (the gravitational force on the eagle), of magnitude 60.0 N, points downward in the -y-direction. The left force exerted on the eagle's wings by the air, also of magnitude 60.0 N, is at an angle of 20.0° from the vertical (the +y-direction) and 70.0° from the +x-direction. The drag force (air resistance) exerted on the eagle by the air has magnitude 15.0 N and is at an angle of 20.0° from the -x-direction and 70.0° from the +y-direction. Find the x- and y-components of the net external force F→ on the eagle.

Answer 1

To find the x- and y-components of the net external force on the eagle, break down each force into its x and y-components. The x-component of the net external force on the eagle is the sum of the x-components of the left force and the drag force. The y-component of the net external force on the eagle is the sum of the y-components of the weight, left force, and drag force.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the x- and y-components of the net external force on the eagle, we need to break down each force into its x and y-components.

The weight of the eagle is a vertical force, so its y-component is -60.0 N. The left force exerted on the wings can be broken down into its x and y-components using the given angles. The x-component of this force is (-60.0 N)(cos(70.0° - 90°)) and the y-component is (-60.0 N)(sin(70.0° - 90°)).

The drag force can also be broken down into its x and y-components using the given angles. The x-component of this force is (-15.0 N)(cos(20.0° - 180°)) and the y-component is (-15.0 N)(sin(20.0° - 180°)).

The x-component of the net external force on the eagle is the sum of the x-components of the left force and the drag force. The y-component of the net external force on the eagle is the sum of the y-components of the weight, left force, and drag force.