P2.8 Resolving Vectors & Scale drawings

• What is the force created by the man on his bike?

  4 newtons northwards
• What force is acting on the cyclist due to the breeze?

  3 newtons eastwards
• How can we represent the forces acting on the cyclist on a grid?

  • Cyclist represented by an orange dot
  • 4 cm arrow upwards for 4 newtons
  • 3 cm arrow to the right for 3 newtons
• How do we find the resultant force using scale drawings?

  By placing vector arrows tip to tail
• What is the length of the resultant force in the scale drawing?

  5 centimeters
• How do we convert the length of the resultant force into newtons?

  Each centimeter equals one newton
• What is the magnitude of the resultant force calculated?

  5 newtons
• What is the direction of the resultant force?

  37 degrees from north
• What does it mean if forces are balanced on an object?

  The object is at equilibrium
• How do we find the overall force when three forces act on a particle?

  Arrange the arrows tip to tail
• What does it indicate if the arrows join up perfectly?

  There is zero resultant force
• What is the process of resolving vectors?

  • Split vector into horizontal and vertical components
  • Use a scale drawing for representation
• What force is exerted on the toy car?

  50 newtons
• How do we represent the 50 newton force on the ramp?

  With a 5 centimeter line
• What scale is used to resolve the force on the toy car?

  10 newtons per centimeter
• What are the measurements of the horizontal and vertical components after resolving the force?

  4 cm and 3 cm
• What are the converted forces from the measurements of the components?

  40 newtons right and 30 newtons up
• What is the final outcome of resolving the 50 newton force?

  • Resolved into horizontal and vertical components
  • 40 newton force to the right
  • 30 newton force upwards