Question

I am having a lot of trouble with this problem and I'm not sure why.
A gust of wind blows an apple from a tree. As the apple falls, the force of gravity is 12.75N downward, and the wind blows it 2.45N to the right. Find the direction and magnitude of the net external force on the apple.
A. 25N at 19.23 degrees counterclockwise from straight down
B. 9.31N at 79 degrees counterclockwise from straight down
C. 15.20N at 79 degrees counterclockwise from straight down
D. 12.98N at 11 degrees counterclockwise from the positive x-axis

Answer 1

As far as I understand.. this should be solved using vectors. However, the angle should be 45 degrees downward (from start point to right down) and I don't see that between the answers so calculation the force with vectors seems pointless..

Answer 2

actually, that's not right.. the angle could be something else.. Calculate the force with the Pythagoras (the net force can be seen as the diagonal side of a rectangular triangle).

Answer 3

I did that and got 11.98N, but I did not think that 11 degrees counterclockwise from the x axis would be right, because that would be up, wouldn"t it?

Answer 4

yes is seems like it but words are so inaccurate compared to numbers that I'd go with D anyway..

Answer 5

Ok, thanks!