Calculate Resultant Force and Angle of Object at Origin

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the resultant force and angle of an object located at the origin, subjected to four perpendicular forces: 18 N in the negative x direction, 10 N in the positive x direction, 8 N in the negative y direction, and 15 N in the positive y direction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss how to combine the forces, with some suggesting the addition of forces based on their components. Questions arise regarding the correct method for calculating the resultant force and angle, particularly whether to consider the forces as positive or negative based on their directions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of how to add the forces and questioning the assumptions about their components. Some guidance has been provided regarding vector addition, but no consensus has been reached on the final calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can share or the methods they can use. There is also a discussion about the nature of the forces being perpendicular and not at angles, which influences their approach to the problem.

zaga04
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Homework Statement


An object is at the origin. They're four perpendicular forces acting upon it. In the negative x axis, 18 N. positive x axis, 10 N. negative y axis, 8 N. and positive y-axis 15 N. calculate the resultant force. What angle is it at?


Homework Equations


F=Ma?


The Attempt at a Solution


Not really sure how to get the resultant force. Do you just add 8+10-15-18? (since 15 and 18 are negative)? For the angle, would it be 90 degrees?
 
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You add vectors/forces by adding their x components and their y components together.
 
So would it just be 8+10-15-18 since they are at 90? They wouldn't have any x and y components since they are not at an angle. Also what would the resultant angle be?
 
If a force of 10N is directed upwards on the y-axis it as a y compnent of 10N and an x component of 0N. Similarily if a force is directed to the right on the x-axis it has a y component of 0N and an x component of 10N.
 

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