What is the resultant force direction?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the resultant force and its direction acting on an object due to two forces: one of 33 N at 30 degrees West of South and another of 17 N at 30 degrees North of West. The context is vector addition in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss methods for adding vectors, including the triangle law of vector addition and the parallelogram method. There are questions about comfort with vector addition and attempts to find direction after calculating force magnitude.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different methods for vector addition and seeking clarification on how to determine direction. Some guidance has been offered regarding the methods to use, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that this is new material for the original poster, which may contribute to the confusion. There is also mention of the importance of understanding vector addition rather than focusing solely on the magnitudes of the forces.

JLPhysics
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Homework Statement


A 33 N force acts on an object at 30 degrees West of South while a 17 N force acts on the same object at 30 degrees North of West. What is the resultant force and direction.

Force1= 33 N
Force 2= 17 N



Homework Equations



Force diagram? Cos?

The Attempt at a Solution



I've been looking forever on the internet, in books but I really have no idea on this. I've tried stuff with cos and sin, though...But nothing worked...I know the answer is 37 N @ 57 degrees west of south. This is new material in my class so this is the first time I've tried to work a problem like this. I have no clue what to do!
 
Last edited:
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Are you comfortable with how to add vectors?
 
I found force using Pythagorean, but still trying to find direction
 
Use triangle law of vector addition or better still use the parallelogram method whose diagonal tells you the direction of the resultant:p\

HINT: THE MAGNITUDE OF FORCES IS NOT IMPORTANT AT ALL...
 

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