Calculating Unknown Forces in a Vector Diagram

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
1 reply · 3K views
Xiomara

Homework Statement


Hi, I'm having trouble with my first mechanics assignment and I'd appreciate some help.
So, an object is being pulled using two ropes (Fa and Fb) with a resultant force of 970 N along the x axis. Angle from Fa to the axis is 20 degrees, angle from fb to the axis is 51 degrees. I need to calculate Fa and Fb.

Homework Equations


I think that I need to use either law of sines or cosines but am not sure.
c^2=a^2+b^2-2abcos(c)
sin(A)/a=sin(B)/b=sin(C)/c

The Attempt at a Solution


I made a vector diagram (triangle). I then tried to find F a and b by plugging all my knowns into the law of sines and solving. sin(C)/c=sin(51)/970=8.0118, but when I try to calculate the others based on this I get very small numbers, less than one. What am I doing wrong??
 
Physics news on Phys.org
One thing that the problem does not specifically state, is the direction (above or below) the x axis. So think about this. It is being pulled along the x axis. What does this tell you about the y-component of the resultant vector? Intuitively, one vector will be above the x-axis, and the other below the x-axis.