If a 600kg helicopter is accelerating upwards at 3m/s/s what is the unbalanced force, the gravitational force, and the supporting force of the air?

Answer 1

Let

m = 600kg be the mass of the helicopter,

a = 3m/s/s be its acceleration,

g = -10m/s/s be gravitational acceleration.

We consider the downward direction negative, while upward is positive.

Therefore g is negative, while a is positive.

The unbalanced force is given by Newton's Second Law applied to the acceleration the helicopter is experiencing

F_unb = am = 3m/s/s x 600kg = 1800N

The gravitational force is given by Newton's Second Law applied to the gravitational acceleration

F_grav = gm = -10m/s/s x 600kg = -6000 N

The supporting force of the air is the difference between the two forces.

Namely, it is how much needs to be added the gravitation force to achieve

the observed unbalanced force.

F = F_unb - F_grav = 1800N - (-6000N) = 7800N