it's weight it 9800 N. the buoyant force on it is 12 N. the downward force is stronger. what is the net force and in which direction? im confused :S. is it 9800-12N downward, or just 0 N?
2007-03-15 14:14:27 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
* its weight is 9800N
2007-03-15 14:16:31 · update #1
If the elephant isn't moving, the net force is zero.
It could have a weight on 9800 N and be standing in the water.
What HAS changed is the resistant force that is being exerted on the elephant by the ground. That has decreased by 12 N which is now being exerted as the force of bouyency.
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2007-03-15 14:28:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is 9800N-12N downward. Weight is the force of gravity on a mass, so the elephant's weight is a downward force. A buoyant force by definition is in the opposite direction of gravity, so it's pointed directly upward.
Since these vectors are 180 degrees apart, you can simply subtract the lesser from the greater to yield the net force. The net force will point in the direction of the greater force, in this case downward.
p.s. - the elephant would sink
2007-03-15 14:21:56 · answer #2 · answered by sythyril 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
9800N downward
12 N upward
that's 9800N - 12N = 9782 N downward.
In other words, the elephant is accelerating in the downward direction.
2007-03-15 16:47:29 · answer #3 · answered by Boozer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A net force causes acceleration according to Newton's 2nd:
F = m*a
If it's not accelerating, the net force on it is zero.
2007-03-15 15:39:15 · answer #4 · answered by sojsail 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
9800-12 downward.
(Okay, you got me; it's zero because there is no movement.)
2007-03-15 14:21:33 · answer #5 · answered by hznfrst 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In any direction; GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!
2007-03-15 14:16:25 · answer #6 · answered by enzo32ferrari 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋