Understanding Vector Addition: 2 Forces with Same Magnitude F

In summary, vector addition is the process of combining two or more vectors to determine a resultant vector that represents the combined effect of the individual vectors. A vector is a mathematical quantity that has both magnitude and direction, represented by an arrow. To add two vectors with the same magnitude, the parallelogram method can be used to find the resultant vector. The magnitude of the resultant vector will be equal to the magnitude of the individual vectors multiplied by the square root of 2. The direction of the resultant vector can be different from the individual vectors, depending on the angles at which the individual vectors are added.
  • #1
cb
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I need help getting in the right direction...

Two forces have the same magnitude F. What is the angle between the two vectors if their sum has a magnitude of 2*F? sqrt(2)*F? zero?
 
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  • #2
How about using the triangle vector adition method? and then applying cosine law to it to find the angle between F and F? or better yet use the paralellogram vector adittion method.
 
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  • #3


To find the angle between two vectors, we can use the formula cosθ = (A·B)/(|A||B|), where A and B are the two vectors and θ is the angle between them. In this case, we know that the magnitude of both vectors is F, so we can simplify the formula to cosθ = (A·B)/F^2.

For the first case, where the sum of the two vectors has a magnitude of 2*F, we can set up the equation |A + B| = 2*F and solve for cosθ. This will give us cosθ = 1/2, which means that the angle between the two vectors is 60 degrees.

For the second case, where the sum of the two vectors has a magnitude of sqrt(2)*F, we can set up the equation |A + B| = sqrt(2)*F and solve for cosθ. This will give us cosθ = 1/sqrt(2), which means that the angle between the two vectors is 45 degrees.

Lastly, if the sum of the two vectors has a magnitude of zero, this means that the two vectors are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction. In this case, the angle between the two vectors is 180 degrees.

I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Remember to always use the formula cosθ = (A·B)/(|A||B|) when trying to find the angle between two vectors with known magnitudes.
 

What is vector addition?

Vector addition is the process of combining two or more vectors to determine a resultant vector that represents the combined effect of the individual vectors.

What is a vector?

A vector is a mathematical quantity that has both magnitude and direction. It is represented by an arrow, with the length of the arrow representing the magnitude and the direction of the arrow representing the direction.

How do you add two vectors with the same magnitude?

To add two vectors with the same magnitude, you can use the parallelogram method. Draw the two vectors as adjacent sides of a parallelogram, then draw a diagonal from the opposite corners of the parallelogram. The resultant vector will be the diagonal drawn.

What is the magnitude of the resultant vector when adding two vectors with the same magnitude?

The magnitude of the resultant vector when adding two vectors with the same magnitude will be equal to the magnitude of the individual vectors multiplied by the square root of 2.

Can the direction of the resultant vector be different from the individual vectors when adding two vectors with the same magnitude?

Yes, the direction of the resultant vector can be different from the individual vectors, depending on the angles at which the individual vectors are added. The resultant vector will always be between the two individual vectors, but the angle may differ.

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