A 300-slug plane is initially traveling at 200 mph directly south. Ten minutes later, it slowed to 150 mph, still traveling directly south. What was the magnitude and direction of the net force that acted on the plane to change its speed?

Explanation:

The solution is found in the attachment below

The magnitude of the net force is 163.09N and it is acting in opposite direction of the plane

Explanation:

Step 1:

Data obtained from the question include:

Mass (m) = 300 slug

Initial velocity (U) = 200 mph

Final velocity (V) = 150 mph

Time (t) = 10 mins

Force (F) =?

Step 2:

Conversion of the units given for each variable to the appropriate unit.

This is so essential because, it will help us to obtain the desired answer in the appropriate unit. This illustrated below:

For Mass:

1 slug = 14.594 kg

Therefore, 300 slug = 300 x 14.594 = 4378.2 Kg

For the velocity:

1 mph = 0.447 m/s

Therefore,

Initial velocity (U) = 200 x 0.447 = 89.4 m/s

Final velocity (V) = 150 x 0.447 = 67.05 m/s

For time:

1 min = 60 secs.

Therefore, 10 mins = 10 x 60 = 600 secs

Step 3:

Determination of the magnitude of the force. This is illustrated below:

F = m(V - U) /t

F = 4378.2 ( 67.05 - 89.4) /600

F = 4378.2 ( - 22.35) /600

F = - 163.09N

The negative sign indicate that the force is acting in opposite direction of the plane

Therefore, the magnitude of the net force is 163.09N and it is acting in opposite direction of the plane

see earlier