Question

PART ONE: A gust of wind blows an apple from a tree.

As the apple falls, the force of gravity on the

apple is 9.39 N downward, and the force of

the wind on the apple is 1.50 N to the right.

What is the magnitude of the net external

force on the apple?

Answer in units of N.


PART TWO:What is the direction of the net external force

on the apple (measured from the downward

vertical, so that the angle to the right of

downward is positive)?

Answer in units of ◦

Answer 1

Explanation:

Part 1.

The force of gravity on the apple, $F_1=9.39\ N$ (downward)

The force of the wind on the apple, $F_2=1.5\ N$ (right)

Let F is the magnitude of the net force acting on it. The resultant of two vectors is given by :

$F=\sqrt{F_1^2+F_2^2}$

$F=\sqrt{9.39^2+1.5^2}$

F = 9.509 N

Part 2.

$tan\theta=\dfrac{F_2}{F_1}$

$tan\theta=\dfrac{1.5}{9.39}$

$\theta=9.07^{\circ}$

So, the direction of the net external force is 9.07 degrees wrt vertical. Hence, this is the required solution.