A gust of wind blows an apple from a tree. As the apple falls, the gravitational force on the apple is 2.25N downward and the force of the wind on the apple is 1.05N to the right. Find the magnitude and the direction of the net force on the apple.

The magnitude of net force = c. Since the downwards force and force of wind are acting perpendicular to each other, the net force will be at angle between them and can be calculated using hypotenuse formula,

where c = net force, a = 2.25 N and b = 1.05 N

c² = a²+b² = 2.25²+1.05²=

c = 2.483 N

the angle will be

sin (x) = 2.25/1.05 =, x = sin⁻¹ (2.25/1.05), this will be the direction

Vertical component = 2.25 N downward

Horizontal component = 1.05 N to the right

Magnitude of the net force = √ (2.25² + 1.05²)

= √6.165 = 2.483 N (rounded)

Direction of the net force = tan⁻¹ (1.05/2.25) to the right of downward

= tan⁻¹ (7/15) to the right of downward

= 25° to the right of downward (rounded)