Calculating Net Force: Solving for Unknowns in Vector Addition

Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the net force from two force vectors using the law of cosines and trigonometric principles. The initial calculations incorrectly focused on the difference between the vectors rather than their vector sum, which is essential for determining the net force. Participants emphasized the importance of resolving forces into their x and y components to simplify vector addition. A parallelogram method was suggested to visualize the problem, leading to a correct calculation of the net force magnitude and direction. Ultimately, the correct approach involves using the cosine rule and sine rule to find both the magnitude and angle of the net force accurately.
  • #31
helium4 said:
Yes, that's correct, but you need to say that ##F_{net}## points to the left with 40° angle between the vector and the horizontal (i.e. points in the NW direction), otherwise it may seem as though it would point to the right (NE direction), which would be incorrect.

Ok, thanks for mentioning that. Thank you for all of your help! Now I actually understand how work with these equations!
 

Similar threads

Confirmation of a net force calculation from a diagram
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Calculating the net force acting on an object from a diagram
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Calculating the net force acting on object in diagram
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Calculating Net Force Using Vector Addition
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
How to Calculate Net Force for an Object
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Net force of object indicated in following diagram
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Forces - calculating the net force
  • · Replies 41 ·
2
Replies
41
Views
5K
Calculate the net force acting on the object
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Calculating net force from a diagram
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
How to Calculate the Bird's Net Displacement Using Vector Addition?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K