Calculating forces

Question 1

How do you find Resultant forces ?

Answer 1

1. Draw all the forces acting in an object, to scale.
2. Then draw a straight line form the start of the first force to the end of the last force - this is the resultant forces
3. Measure the length of the resultant force on the diagram to fine the magnitude and the angle to find the direction of the force.

Question 2

What does it means if an object is in equilibrium?

Answer 2

The forces on the object are balanced.

Question 3

If all the forces acting on an object combine to give a resultant force of zero, is the object in equilibrium?

Answer 3

Yes it is.

Question 4

You might be given forces acting on the object and told to find the missing force. Given that the object is in equilibrium, how do you find the missing force?

Answer 4

1. Draw out the forces you do know
2. Join the end of the last force to the start of the first force. - this line is the missing force so you can measure its size and direction.

Question 5

What can you split a force into ?

Answer 5

Components

Question 6

True or false : all forces acting horizontally and vertically?

Answer 6

False , some act at awkward angles.

Question 7

How do you make these easier to deal with?

Answer 7

spilt them into two components at right angles to each other. Using horizontal and vertical.