Resolving Forces

• What is the purpose of using a vector diagram in this context?

  To resolve a single force into two components.
• What are the two components into which a single force can be resolved?

  • Horizontal component (x-direction)
  • Vertical component (y-direction)
• What does it mean for components to be at right angles to each other?

  It means the components are perpendicular to each other.
• How can you determine the magnitude of the horizontal and vertical components of a force?

  By drawing a vector diagram to scale and measuring their lengths.
• How do you find the horizontal and vertical components from a diagonal force?

  By drawing dotted lines to the axes and creating right triangles.
• What is the process to resolve a force acting at an angle into its components?

  1. Draw faint horizontal and vertical axes.
  2. Measure the angle from the horizontal.
  3. Draw the force vector to scale.
  4. Draw dotted lines to the axes.
  5. Measure the lengths of the components.
• What are the magnitudes of the horizontal and vertical components for a 100 Newton force at 35 degrees?

  Horizontal component: 83 Newtons; Vertical component: 57 Newtons.
• How would you resolve a 75 Newton force acting at an angle of 20 degrees into its components?

  1. Use a scale of 1 cm = 10 N.
  2. Draw the vector diagram.
  3. Measure the lengths of the horizontal and vertical components.
  4. Convert lengths to Newtons.
• What are the magnitudes of the horizontal and vertical components for a 75 Newton force at 20 degrees?

  Horizontal component: 70 Newtons; Vertical component: 25 Newtons.