A 1.5 kg laboratory glider on an air track experiences three simultaneously applied…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A 1.5 kg laboratory glider on an air track experiences three simultaneously applied horizontal forces:
• F1=4.0N due east
• F2=2.5N due south
• F3=6.0N at 120∘ counter-clockwise from east (measured in the usual +x direction).
At the instant shown the glider is moving due west at 0.60 m/s.
(a) Calculate the vector components of the net external force acting on the glider.
(b) Determine the magnitude and direction of the glider’s acceleration.
(c) Based on your result, state whether the glider’s speed will initially increase, decrease, or remain the same, and explain your reasoning without numerical calculation of velocity.