Resolving forces

• Resolving a single force into two forces

  1. Draw vector diagram

  2. Measure angle of force with horizontal

  3. Draw horizontal and vertical components

  4. Measure magnitudes of horizontal and vertical components
• Vector diagram


  A diagram that shows the magnitude and direction of a force
• The two components must be at right angles to each other
• Resolving a force into horizontal and vertical components

  • 100 Newton force at 35 degrees
  • 75 Newton force at 20 degrees
• Resolving 100 Newton force at 35 degrees

  1. Draw vector diagram to scale

  2. Measure horizontal and vertical components

  3. Horizontal component is 83 Newtons

  4. Vertical component is 57 Newtons
• Resolving 75 Newton force at 20 degrees

  1. Draw vector diagram to scale

  2. Measure horizontal and vertical components

  3. Horizontal component is 70 Newtons

  4. Vertical component is 25 Newtons
• In the exam, it's a good idea to blob out any faint lines used in the working
• There are plenty of questions on resolving forces in the Vision workbook