When empty, a particular helicopter of mass 3770 kg can accelerate straight upward at a maximum acceleration of 1.43 m/s2. A careless crewman overloads the helicopter so that it is just unable to lift off. What is the mass of the cargo?
I have attempted to solve the problem in the following manner...
helicopter mass = m (3770 kg= 36971 N)
Apply Newton's 2nd Law net F=ma
F - mg = ma, solve for F
so... F= ma/(-mg)
Apply the equation again now with cargo M and a=0 (just unable to lift
off). Same F:
F - (m + M)g = (m + M)a, solve for M, the only unknown.
I ended up with 65.6 Kg... what am I doing wrong?
I have attempted to solve the problem in the following manner...
helicopter mass = m (3770 kg= 36971 N)
Apply Newton's 2nd Law net F=ma
F - mg = ma, solve for F
so... F= ma/(-mg)
Apply the equation again now with cargo M and a=0 (just unable to lift
off). Same F:
F - (m + M)g = (m + M)a, solve for M, the only unknown.
I ended up with 65.6 Kg... what am I doing wrong?