Resultant of two forces

Learning objectives
Resultant of parallel forces Resultant of perpendicular forces Resultant two forces at any angle

Resultant of two forces

A resultant force is a single force which can replace a set of forces acting on an object. It has exactly the same effect on the object as the original set. Parallel forces
4N 7N

Resultant force = 7 + 4 = 11 N
12 N

5N

Resultant force = 12 - 5 = 7 N

Resultant of Perpendicular forces

3N
4N 4N 3N

Resultant = Angle =

42 32 = 5 N
36.90

tan-1(3/4) =

Two forces at any angle

5N 300 8N
1500 300

5N

8N

Using cosine rule :

a2 = b2 + c2 2b c cos A R2 = 82 + 52 28 5 cos 150

R = 12.6 N
sin A sin B sin C a b c

Use sine rule to find :

sin sin 150 5 12.5810

Giving: sin = 0.198712 = 11.50

Example
15 N

15 N 130
25 N

25 N

50

130

Using cosine rule :

a2 = b2 + c2 2b c cos A R2 = 252 + 152 225 15 cos 50

R = 19.2 N
sin A sin B sin C a b c

Use sine rule to find :

sin sin 50 15 19.18096

Giving: sin = 0.5991 = 36.8

Example
Find the magnitude of the resultant of the forces shown in the sketch, and the angle it make with the larger force.
5N 500 8N
5N

8N

130 50

By the cosine rule : By the sine rule :

R2 = 82 + 52 2 x 8 x 5 x cos 1300

Gives R = 11.9 N
sin sin 130 5 11 .9

Gives = 18.80