Scribd
Upload
47 views3 pages

A Level Math Paper 2 Resultant of Forces

The document discusses the concept of resultant forces, detailing how to calculate the resultant of two forces at various angles (right, acute, and obtuse). It provides formulas for calculating the magnitude and direction of the resultant, along with several examples and revision exercises to reinforce understanding. The document concludes with specific problems for practice, illustrating the application of the concepts presented.

Uploaded by

Jesse
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
47 views3 pages

A Level Math Paper 2 Resultant of Forces

The document discusses the concept of resultant forces, detailing how to calculate the resultant of two forces at various angles (right, acute, and obtuse). It provides formulas for calculating the magnitude and direction of the resultant, along with several examples and revision exercises to reinforce understanding. The document concludes with specific problems for practice, illustrating the application of the concepts presented.

Uploaded by

Jesse
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Resultant of forces

A force is anything which change a body’s state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line. Examples
are weight, tension, reaction, friction, resistance force.

Resultant of two forces

Consider two forces A and B inclined to each other at an angle θ

(i) θ is right angle (θ =900)


Resultant, R = √𝐴2 + 𝐵2
𝐴
Direction of resultant, β =tan−1 ( )
𝐵

(ii) θ is acute (00 ≤ θ ≤ 900)


sin 𝛼 sin(180−𝜃)
Direction of resultant, =
𝐴 𝑅

Asin(180−𝜃)
𝛼 = sin−1 ( )
𝑅

Resultant, R =√[𝐴2 + 𝐵2 − 2𝐴𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠 (180 − 𝜃)]

(iii) θ is obtuse (900 ≤ θ ≤ 1800)

sin 𝛼 sin(180−𝜃)
Direction of resultant, =
𝐴 𝑅

Asin(180−𝜃)
𝛼 = sin−1 ( )
𝑅

Resultant, R =√[𝐴2 + 𝐵2 − 2𝐴𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠 (180 − 𝜃)]


Example 1

Two forces of magnitude 5N and 12N act on a particle with their direction inclined at 900. Find the
magnitude and direction of the resultant
5
𝑅 = √52 + 122 = 13N α =tan−1 ( ) = 22.60
12

The resultant = 13N at 22.60 to 12N force

Example 2

Forces of magnitude 7N and 9N act on a particle at an angle of 600 between them. Find the
magnitude and direction of the resultant.

sin 𝛼 sin(180−𝜃)
Direction of resultant, =
9 13.89

9sin(180−60)
𝛼 = sin−1 ( ) = 34.130
13.89

Resultant, R =√[𝐴2 + 𝐵2 − 2𝐴𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠 (180 − 𝜃)]

=√[72 + 92 − 2𝑥7 𝑥 9𝑐𝑜𝑠 (180 − 60)]

= 13.89N

Example 3

Find the angle between a force of 7N and 4N their resultant has a magnitude of 9N

Solution
2
𝛼 = cos −1 (− ) = 106.60
7

the angle θ between the forces = 180 – 106.6

= 73.40

92 = 72 + 42 – 2 x 7 x 4 x cosα

Example 4

Forces of 3N and 2N act on a particle at an angle of 1500 between them. Find the magnitude and
direction of the resultant.

sin 𝛼 sin(30)
Direction of resultant, =
2 1.61

2sin(180−60)
𝛼 = sin−1 ( ) = 38.30
1.61

R2 = 22 + 32 – 2 x 2 x 2 x cos(30)

R = 1.61N
Revision exercise

1. Two forces of magnitude 7N and 24N act on a particle with their direction at 900. Find the
magnitude and direction of the resultant. [25N, 16.260 with 24N force]
2. Forces of 5N and 8N act on a particle at an angle of 500 between them. Find the magnitude and
direction of the resultant. [11.9N at 190 with 8N force]
3. Forces of 4N and 6N act on a particle at angle 600 between them. Find the magnitude and the
direction of the resultant. [5.29N, at 40.90 with 6N force]
4. Forces of 9N and 10N act on a particle at angle 400 between them. Find the magnitude and the
direction of the resultant. [17.9N, at 18.90 with 10N force]
5. Forces of 12N and 10N act on a particle at angle 1050 between them. Find the magnitude and
the direction of the resultant. [13.5N, at 45.70 with 12N force]
6. Forces of 8N and 3N act on a particle at angle 1600 between them. Find the magnitude and the
direction of the resultant. [5.28N, at 11.20 with 8N force]
7. Find the angle between a force of 10N and 4N their resultant has a magnitude of 8N. [130.50]
8. The angle between a force αN and a force of 3N is 1200. If the resultant of the two forces has
magnitude 7N, find the value of α. [8N]
9. The angle between a force βN and a force of 8N is 450. If the resultant of the two forces has a
magnitude 15N, find the value of β. [8.24N]

Thank you
Dr. Bbosa Science

You might also like