Question

Suppose three hockey sticks strike the puck simultaneously with two of them exerting the forces. The result of the three forces is that the hockey puck shows no acceleration. What must be the components of the third force?

Answer 1

The third force must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the sum of the forces exerted by the other two sticks, in order for the puck to show no acceleration.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Newton's second law of motion, the net force acting on an object is equal to the product of its mass and acceleration. In this case, since the hockey puck shows no acceleration, the net force must be zero. So the third force must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the sum of the forces exerted by the other two sticks. This ensures that the combined forces cancel each other out, resulting in no net force and no acceleration.

For example, if Stick 1 exerts a force of 10 N to the right, and Stick 2 exerts a force of 7 N to the left, the third force must be 10 N to the left, in order for the net force to be zero. The magnitudes of the forces exerted by the sticks must add up to be equal, but their directions must be opposite.

In summary, if the forces exerted by two sticks are in opposite directions and of equal magnitude, the third force must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the sum of those two forces, in order for the puck to show no acceleration.

Learn more about Newton's second law of motion