How can we find the formula of the force?

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    Force Formula
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the formula for a force vector given its magnitude and direction, as well as exploring the relationship between forces and movement along a specified line. Participants also delve into the implications of angles formed by vectors and the calculation of work done by a force.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a force of $6N$ at an angle of $\frac{\pi}{4}$ with the y-axis and seeks a formula for the vector-force $F$.
  • Another participant suggests that the force vector can be expressed as $\mathbf F = (6/\sqrt 2, 6/\sqrt 2) \text{ N}$, asserting that the movement does not alter this force.
  • Questions arise regarding the derivation of the force vector and the reasoning behind the unit vector corresponding to the given angle.
  • Participants discuss the conditions under which the components of the unit vector are determined, particularly focusing on the implications of the angle's direction.
  • There is a query about the angle $\theta$ formed between the direction of movement and the force vector, leading to a calculation involving the dot product.
  • Another participant seeks clarification on the rejection of certain values for the components of the unit vector based on directional assumptions.
  • In a separate scenario, participants explore the calculation of work done by a force and the implications of the angle formed with the horizontal axis.
  • There is discussion on the conventions of angles and their relationship to vector direction, particularly in the context of positive and negative values.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying viewpoints on the derivation of the force vector and the implications of angles in vector representation. Some agree on the calculations presented, while others raise questions about assumptions and conventions, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved on certain points.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of directional assumptions in vector calculations, particularly regarding the rejection of negative components and the interpretation of angles in standard conventions.

evinda
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Hello! (Wave)

A force $6N$ forms an angle $\frac{\pi}{4}$ with the y-axis, showing to the right.
The force is opposed by the movement of an object along the line that connects $(1,2)$ with $(5,4)$.
I want to find a formula for the vector-force $F$.

The line that connects $(1,2)$ with $(5,4)$ is $l(t)=(1,2)+t(4,2), t \in \mathbb{R}$.
How can we find the formula of the force?
 
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evinda said:
Hello! (Wave)

A force $6N$ forms an angle $\frac{\pi}{4}$ with the y-axis, showing to the right.
The force is opposed by the movement of an object along the line that connects $(1,2)$ with $(5,4)$.
I want to find a formula for the vector-force $F$.

The line that connects $(1,2)$ with $(5,4)$ is $l(t)=(1,2)+t(4,2), t \in \mathbb{R}$.
How can we find the formula of the force?

Hey evinda! (Smile)

Forces and movements live in different universes.
It's because of a force that a movement changes, but movements have no impact on forces whatsoever.
Apparently your force is $\mathbf F = (6/\sqrt 2, 6/\sqrt 2) \text{ N}$. The movement does not change that. (Nerd)
 
I like Serena said:
Hey evinda! (Smile)

Forces and movements live in different universes.
It's because of a force that a movement changes, but movements have no impact on forces whatsoever.
Apparently your force is $\mathbf F = (6/\sqrt 2, 6/\sqrt 2) \text{ N}$. The movement does not change that. (Nerd)

Why does it hold that $\mathbf F = (6/\sqrt 2, 6/\sqrt 2) \text{ N}$ ? How do we deduce it? (Thinking)
 
evinda said:
Why does it hold that $\mathbf F = (6/\sqrt 2, 6/\sqrt 2) \text{ N}$ ? How do we deduce it? (Thinking)

An angle of $\frac\pi 4$ with the y-axis showing to the right corresponds with the unit vector $\frac 1 {\sqrt 2} (1,1)$.
Multiply by the value of the force to get the force vector. (Nerd)
 
I like Serena said:
An angle of $\frac\pi 4$ with the y-axis showing to the right corresponds with the unit vector $\frac 1 {\sqrt 2} (1,1)$.

Why is it like that? Could you explain it further to me? (Thinking)
 
evinda said:
Why is it like that? Could you explain it further to me? (Thinking)

The unit vector along the y-axis is $(0,1)$.
Suppose $(u,v)$ is a unit vector that makes an angle of $\frac \pi 4$ with it.
Then their dot product has to be:
$$(u,v) \cdot (0,1) = 1 \cdot 1 \cdot \cos \frac \pi 4$$
So:
$$v = \frac 1 {\sqrt 2}$$
And since $\sqrt{u^2+v^2} = 1$:
$$u = \pm \frac 1 {\sqrt 2}$$
(Thinking)
 
I like Serena said:
The unit vector along the y-axis is $(0,1)$.
Suppose $(u,v)$ is a unit vector that makes an angle of $\frac \pi 4$ with it.
Then their dot product has to be:
$$(u,v) \cdot (0,1) = 1 \cdot 1 \cdot \cos \frac \pi 4$$
So:
$$v = \frac 1 {\sqrt 2}$$
And since $\sqrt{u^2+v^2} = 1$:
$$u = \pm \frac 1 {\sqrt 2}$$
(Thinking)

Do we have to suppose that $(u,v)$ shows to the right to reject $u=-\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$?
 
evinda said:
Do we have to suppose that $(u,v)$ shows to the right to reject $u=-\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$?

Yep. (Nod)
 
I like Serena said:
The unit vector along the y-axis is $(0,1)$.

Could we also pick the unit vector along the y-axis $(0,-1)$? Or does $v$ have to be positive?
 
  • #10
evinda said:
Could we also pick the unit vector along the y-axis $(0,-1)$? Or does $v$ have to be positive?

That's a unit vector along the negative y-axis.
A unit vector along the y-axis is considered to be along the positive y-axis. (Nerd)
 
  • #11
I like Serena said:
Yep. (Nod)

View attachment 5326

If we would take $u=-\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$ the vector would show to the left as at the above graph, right?
 

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  • #12
evinda said:
If we would take $u=-\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$ the vector would show to the left as at the above graph, right?

Right. (Nod)
 
  • #13
I like Serena said:
Right. (Nod)

Great!
I want to find also the angle $\theta$ that form the vector of the direction of the movement $D=(5-1)i+(4-2)j$ and the direction of the force $F$.

I have thought the following:

$$F \cdot D=||F|| ||D|| \cos{\theta} \Rightarrow \left( \frac{6}{\sqrt{2}},\frac{6}{\sqrt{2}} \right) \cdot (4,2)=6 \sqrt{20} \cos{\theta} \Rightarrow \cos{\theta}=\frac{3}{\sqrt{10}}$$Am I right?
 
  • #14
evinda said:
Great!
I want to find also the angle $\theta$ that form the vector of the direction of the movement $D=(5-1)i+(4-2)j$ and the direction of the force $F$.

I have thought the following:

$$F \cdot D=||F|| ||D|| \cos{\theta} \Rightarrow \left( \frac{6}{\sqrt{2}},\frac{6}{\sqrt{2}} \right) \cdot (4,2)=6 \sqrt{20} \cos{\theta} \Rightarrow \cos{\theta}=\frac{3}{\sqrt{10}}$$Am I right?

Yep! (Nod)
 
  • #15
I like Serena said:
Yep! (Nod)

Nice... How can I find the value of $\theta$ in radians? (Thinking)
 
  • #16
evinda said:
Nice... How can I find the value of $\theta$ in radians? (Thinking)

That's
$$\theta = \arccos {\frac 3 {\sqrt {10}}}$$
There doesn't seem to be a nicer expression for that. (Worried)
 
  • #17
I like Serena said:
That's
$$\theta = \arccos {\frac 3 {\sqrt {10}}}$$
There doesn't seem to be a nicer expression for that. (Worried)

Nice... Thanks a lot! (Cool)
 
  • #18
If we would have the following:The work $W$ that is produced if an object moves from $(0,0)$ to $(7,2)$ by the influence of a force $F$ is $W=F \cdot r$, where $r$ is a vector with starting point $(0,0)$ and end point $(7,2)$. We suppose that the force $F$ has length $6 lb$ and forms an angle $\frac{\pi}{6} rad$ with the horizontal axis with direction to the right.

I want to find $W$.

Again I took a unit vector $(u,v)$ that forms angle $\frac{\pi}{6}$ with the $x$-axis and shows to the right.
A unit vector along the $x$-axis is $(1,0)$.

Then using the dot-product, we get that $u=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$.

Then since $(u,v)$ is a unit vector we get $v=\pm \frac{1}{2}$.

How do we reject one of $\frac{1}{2}$ or $-\frac{1}{2}$ ?

Wouldn't the vector show at both cases to the right?
 
  • #19
evinda said:
If we would have the following:The work $W$ that is produced if an object moves from $(0,0)$ to $(7,2)$ by the influence of a force $F$ is $W=F \cdot r$, where $r$ is a vector with starting point $(0,0)$ and end point $(7,2)$. We suppose that the force $F$ has length $6 lb$ and forms an angle $\frac{\pi}{6} rad$ with the horizontal axis with direction to the right.

I want to find $W$.

Again I took a unit vector $(u,v)$ that forms angle $\frac{\pi}{6}$ with the $x$-axis and shows to the right.
A unit vector along the $x$-axis is $(1,0)$.

Then using the dot-product, we get that $u=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$.

Then since $(u,v)$ is a unit vector we get $v=\pm \frac{1}{2}$.

How do we reject one of $\frac{1}{2}$ or $-\frac{1}{2}$ ?

Wouldn't the vector show at both cases to the right?

Hey evinda! (Smile)

A positive angle is conventionally counter clock wise, that is, upward.
At least that's what I would assume without any other information.
 
  • #20
Do we use the fact that the force $F$ forms an angle $\frac{\pi}{6} rad$ with the horizontal axis with direction to the right ? If so, at which point?
 
  • #21
evinda said:
Do we use the fact that the force $F$ forms an angle $\frac{\pi}{6} rad$ with the horizontal axis with direction to the right ? If so, at which point?

A vector of itself has no position - there is no point.
We can pick any point we'd like, say, the origin.
Then we might say that it makes an angle of $\frac{\pi}{6} \text{ rad}$ on the unit circle.
Or that it makes an angle of $\frac{\pi}{6} \text{ rad}$ with the positive x-axis.
More generally, it's with any horizontal line with direction to the right. (Nerd)
 

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