...boat problem

Question

A boat has a mass of  4040 kg. Its engines generate a drive force of  3510 N due west, while the wind exerts a force of  640 N due east and the water exerts a resistive force of  1710 N due east. Take west to be the positive direction. What is the boat's acceleration?

Answer 1

Solution:

The general Newton 2nd Law is ∑F = ma , the forces present are Drive force due west F_D = +3510 N, wind force due east F_wind = -640N , and water force due east F_w = -1710 N.

∑F = ma, F_D+ F_wind + F_w = ma , +3510 N -640 N -1710 N = 4040 kg (a) , 1160 N = 4040 kg ( a) and

a = 1160 N / 4040 kg = 1160 kg.m/s² / 4040 kg = 0.287 m/s²