Section 5.

Addition and resolution

of forces
• Addition of forces on the same
line
• Addition of forces at angle θ
• Resolution of a force
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5.3 Addition and resolution of forces (SB p. 73)

Force

Force is a vector

magnitude

direction

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5.3 Addition and resolution of forces (SB p. 73)

Addition of forces on the same line

Vectors have special mathematical operations

magnitude CAL
+ Workshop 1
Adding of
forces

direction

method of adding forces vector addition

resultant force
sum of forces
(FR)
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5.3 Addition and resolution of forces (SB p. 73)

Addition of forces on the same line

1. Graphical method 1. Draw an arrow to represent

In same direction F1 (length: magnitude of F1,
points to the direction of F1 )
2. Draw F2 at the tip of F1
3. Resultant force (FR )
magnitude
In opposite direction = direct measurement of FR

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5.3 Addition and resolution of forces (SB p. 74)

2. Algebraic method

In same direction

Same direction:
FR = F1 + F2

In opposite direction

Opposite direction:
FR = F1 − F2

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5.3 Addition and resolution of forces (SB p. 74)

Addition of forces at angle θ

F1

F2

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5.3 Addition and resolution of forces (SB p. 75)

Graphical method

(1)Tip-to-tail method

1. F1 is shifted to the tip of F2

2. FR is the vector from tail of F2
to tip of F1 (direction)
3. Resultant force (FR ) magnitude
= direct measurement of FR

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5.3 Addition and resolution of forces (SB p. 75)

Graphical method

(2) Parallelogram method

1. F1 and F2 are adjacent
sides of parallelogram
2. FR from tails of F1 and F2 to
opposite vertex (direction)
3. Resultant force (FR ) magnitude
= direct measurement of FR

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5.3 Addition and resolution of forces (SB p. 75)

Algebraic method
For two perpendicular forces,

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5.3 Addition and resolution of forces (SB p. 75)

Algebraic method

By Pythagoras’ theorem

F R = √ F 12 + F 22

tanθ =
F1
θ = tan −1

F2
F1
( )
F2

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5.3 Addition and resolution of forces (SB p. 76)

Example 1:

Two forces F1 and F2 are acting at a point as shown.

Draw the resultant force (FR ). Find its magnitude and direction
by direct measurement. Use a scale of 1 cm to represent 1 N.
Solut
ion

By the parallelogram method and

direct measurement, magnitude of
FR ≈ 6.7 N and direction is N 63° E.
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5.3 Addition and resolution of forces (SB p. 76)

Class Practice 2:
2

Find the resultant force (FR) as shown in the figure.

Ans
Magnitude of FR wer
√(5 - 2) 2
+
= _____________________42

5
= _____________________ N
Direction of FR (θ )
4
= tan−1(__________) 3
53o
= _______________
Resultant force (FR)
5 N ( N 53o E )
= _____________________
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5.3 Addition and resolution of forces (SB p. 77)

Resolution of a force
force can be resolved into two components —
perpendicular to each other

F
Fy

Fx

resolution of force
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5.3 Addition and resolution of forces (SB p. 77)

Graphical method

1. Draw Fx and Fy 2. Magnitude of Fx and Fy =

perpendicular to each direct measurement
other from tail of F
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5.3 Addition and resolution of forces (SB p. 77)

Algebraic method

F at angle θ to the x-axis

Fx = F
cosθF = F sinθ
y

Fy
tanθ
= Fx

By Pythagoras’ theorem,
F = √ Fx2 + Fy2
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5.3 Addition and resolution of forces (SB p. 78)

Class Practice 3:
3

A wooden cart is pulled with a force of 36 N at an angle

35o to the horizontal. Find the components of the force
acting on the cart.

Ans
F cosθ = 36 × cos35o = 29.5 N
Fx = ________________________________ wer

F sinθ = 36 × sin35o
= 20.6 N
Fy = ________________________________
Fx
The force that pulls the cart forwards is _____.
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 To section 5.4

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