Finding Resultant Force and Equilibrant: Components Math Problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the resultant force and equilibrant from two forces of 40N and 50N acting at an angle of 60 degrees. The context is within vector addition and trigonometry.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss breaking down the forces into their x and y components, applying trigonometric functions to find resultant magnitudes and directions. Some participants suggest using the cosine law and sine law for a triangle formed by the forces.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of different methods to find the resultant force and equilibrant. Some participants have provided guidance on using components and trigonometric identities, while others have introduced alternative geometric approaches. The discussion reflects a mix of interpretations and methods without a clear consensus on the preferred approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of correctly substituting values into equations and question the assumptions made about the components of the forces. There is mention of potential confusion regarding the definitions of the forces involved.

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Homework Statement



two forces of 40N and 50N act at an angle of 60 degrees. determine the resultant force and the equilbrant

this is what i have so faar:
resultant=F1 + F2
let F1 be along the x axis
add x and y components:

F1x=40N
F1y= none since its along the x-axis.

F2x=F2cos60
F2y=F2sin60

add the forces in the y direction:=F2sin60
add the forces in the x direction:=40N+F2cos60

what would i do after this?
 
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F resultant = radical{(F2x)^2 + (F2y)^2}
that is the magnitude
as for the direstion find tan alpha where alpha is the angle between the x-axis and the resultant which is the division of F2y over F2x
 


menal said:

Homework Statement



two forces of 40N and 50N act at an angle of 60 degrees. determine the resultant force and the equilbrant

this is what i have so faar:
resultant=F1 + F2
let F1 be along the x axis
add x and y components:

F1x=40N
F1y= none since its along the x-axis.

F2x=F2cos60
F2y=F2sin60

add the forces in the y direction:=F2sin60
add the forces in the x direction:=40N+F2cos60

what would i do after this?
You are given that F2= 50 N. Why have you not put that in?
The x component is, as you said 40+ 50 cos(60) N and the y component is 50 sin(60).

Once you have found the components, Fx and Fy, its magnitude is
\sqrt{F_x^2+ F_y^2}
(NOT \sqrt{F_ {2X}^2+ F_{2y}^2} as elabed haidar has it. I think the fact that you did not put the value of F2 into the equation made him think F2 was the resultant)
and the angle the resultant makes with the F1 is
arctan\left(\frac{F_y}{F_x}\right).

Personally, I wouldn't have used "components" at all. If you attach the two vectors "end to end" you have a triangle with two sides having length 40 and 50 and angle between them 180- 60= 120 degrees. You can use the cosine law to find the length of the opposite side (the magnitude of the resultant force) and then the sine law to find the angle the resultant force makes with whichever force you used as the first side of the triangle.
 


alright, so i did what you said:
I used the cosine law: (40)^2+(50)^2-2(40)(50)cos120 and gt sqrt(6100)= 78.10N
then i used the sine law: (a(sinB))/b --> (40)(sin120)/78.10 and got 26.3 degrees.
is that it? i know i found the resultant force, and now i found the equilibrant too?
 

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