snuffer112
Dec 11, 2006, 08:07 PM
Find the magnitude and direction of the force produced by a vertically upward force of 60 N and a horizontal force of 50 N?
Formula and answer please?
kaka
Dec 11, 2006, 10:22 PM
Well, I think your question is regarding 2D motion (i.e. two ways simultaneously). So it should be solved like the pythagoras theoram.
Therefore, the force is to the North East (assuming Horizontal is Eastward) by using the following formula:
a^2 + b^2 = c^2 , where a = 60, b = 50, c = P which is unknown
60^2 + 50^2 = P^2
P = (60^2 + 50^2)^0.5 (0.5 = 1/2 = Half, is another way of writing squar root)
P = 78.102496759066543941297227357591
P = 78.1 N (NE = North East) Well it's a little to the east. I haven't done Physics for almost five years, but I think this answer is the closest.
Capuchin
Dec 12, 2006, 12:34 AM
It's a little clearer if you show the force triangle in vectors, so that the hypotenuse is the resultant vector :)
You can work out the angle by using tan A = opp/adj
so this works out as A = tan^-1 60/50 = 50.19 degrees.