/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 5 A force of \(20 \mathrm{N}\) is ... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

A force of \(20 \mathrm{N}\) is directed at an angle of \(60^{\circ}\) above the \(x\) -axis. A second force of \(20 \mathrm{N}\) is directed at an angle of \(60^{\circ}\) below the \(x\) -axis. What is the vector sum of these two forces?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The vector sum of the two forces is 20 N directed horizontally along the x-axis with an angle of 0 degrees.

Step by step solution

01

Calculate horizontal and vertical components for each force

To calculate the components of force vectors, we can use the following formulas: - For horizontal component: \(F_x = F \cdot \cos(\theta)\) - For vertical component: \(F_y = F \cdot \sin(\theta)\) For the first force, \(F_1 = 20 N\) and the angle above the x-axis is \(\theta_1 = 60^{\circ}\): \(F_{1x} = 20 \cdot \cos(60^{\circ}) = 20 \cdot \frac{1}{2} = 10 N\) \(F_{1y} = 20 \cdot \sin(60^{\circ}) = 20 \cdot \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} = 10\sqrt{3} N\) For the second force, \(F_2 = 20 N\) and the angle below the x-axis is \(\theta_2 = 60^{\circ}\): \(F_{2x} = 20 \cdot \cos(60^{\circ}) = 20 \cdot \frac{1}{2} = 10 N\) \(F_{2y} = -20 \cdot \sin(60^{\circ}) = -20 \cdot \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} = -10\sqrt{3} N\) (The negative sign indicates that the force points downward)
02

Add the corresponding components together to find the final vector components

Now we add the components of each force vector to determine the sum: \(F_{x} = F_{1x} + F_{2x} = 10 N + 10 N = 20 N\) \(F_{y} = F_{1y} + F_{2y} = 10\sqrt{3} N - 10\sqrt{3} N = 0 N\)
03

Calculate the magnitude and angle of the resultant vector

Since \(F_y = 0 N\), the resultant vector lies entirely in the horizontal direction and has a magnitude of: \(F = \sqrt{F_{x}^{2} + F_{y}^{2}} = \sqrt{(20 N)^{2} + (0 N)^{2}} = 20 N\) Because the force is acting horizontally, the angle \(\theta = 0^{\circ}\) relative to the x-axis.
04

Final Answer

The vector sum of the two forces is \(20 N\) directed horizontally along the x-axis with an angle of \(0^{\circ}\).

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.