A supertanker (mass = 1.90E+8 kg) is moving with a constant velocity. Its engines generate a forward thrust of 7.34E+5 N. Determine the magnitude of the resistive force exerted on the tanker by the water.

would it not be opposite but equal in magnitude?

If not so, there would be an acceleration.

To determine the magnitude of the resistive force exerted on the tanker by the water, we can use Newton's second law of motion. Newton's second law states that the net force acting on an object is equal to the product of its mass and its acceleration.

Given:
Mass of the tanker (m) = 1.90E+8 kg
Forward thrust generated by the engines (F) = 7.34E+5 N

Since the tanker is moving with a constant velocity, we know that the net force acting on it is zero. Therefore, the resistive force exerted by the water must be equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the forward thrust.

We can calculate the magnitude of the resistive force using the formula:

Resistive Force (Fr) = - Forward Thrust (F)

Substituting the given values, we have:

Fr = - 7.34E+5 N

Therefore, the magnitude of the resistive force exerted on the tanker by the water is 7.34E+5 N.