Resolving forces

• Resolving a single force into two forces

  1. Draw vector diagram

  2. Measure angle from horizontal

  3. Draw vector to scale

  4. Draw dotted lines to axes

  5. Draw horizontal and vertical components
• Vector diagram


  Graphical representation of a force showing magnitude and direction
• Resolving a force into components

  • 100 Newton force at 35 degrees
  • 75 Newton force at 20 degrees
• Resolved components


  • Must be at right angles to each other
• Horizontal component magnitude
• Vertical component magnitude
• In exam, blob out faint construction lines to only show final vectors
• As angle from horizontal increases


  Vertical component increases, horizontal component decreases