18

2.g. Rectangular Components of a Force

Rectangular components of a force – components that are perpendicular with one another. These components
can be determined from trigonometry.
y
Fx = F cos  ,

Fy
F Fy = F sin 

x
Fx
The direction of F can also be defined using the slope of its line of action. The slope triangle and the
force triangle are similar, hence, proportional. The components of the force can then be determined using ratio
and proportion.
Fx Fy F
d
F
y
  ; where: d  x 2  y 2 `
Fy x y d
x
x y
Fx Fx  F Fy  F
d d

SAMPLE PROBLEMS

1. Determine the x and y components of each of the forces shown.

y
F1 = 120 N
F4 = 150 N
7
55
0 70
x
5
1
112.5 mm F2 = 390 N
2 N
F3 = 221

60 mm
Solution:
a. Components of F1
y
F1 = 120 N
From trigonometry,
F1x = 120 cos 70 F1y = 120 sin 70
F1y = 41.042 N = 112.763 N
70
x
F1x

b. Components of F2
y Find the hypotenuse of the slope triangle
F2x
x
d  12 2  52 = 13
F2y 5
12
From the similarity of triangles,
12 5
F2 = 390 N F2 x  (390) F2 y  (390)
13 13
= 360 N = 150 N
 19

c. Components of F3
y Find the hypotenuse of the slope triangle

x
d  602  112.52 = 17
F3y From the similarity of triangles,
F3 = 221 N
112.5 mm 8 15
F3x F3 x  (221) F3 y  (221)
17 17
60 mm = 104 N = 195 N

d. Components of F4

y From trigonometry,
F4x = 150 sin 55 F4y = 150 cos 55
F4 = 150 N
= 122. 873 N = 86.036 N
55 F4y
70

x
F4x

2. Find a) the x and y components, and b) the x´ and y´ components of each of the forces shown.
y
F1 = 800 lb
y´

25
45
x
30

F2 = 650 lb
x´
Solution:
a. For F1
y y From trigonometry:
F1 = 800 lb F1 = 800 lb F1x  800 cos 70  273.616 lb
F1y y´ y´ F1 y  800 sin 70  751.754 lb
25 25 F1y'
F1x  800 sin 25  338.095 lb
45 F1x' 45
x x F1 y  800 cos 25  725.046 lb
F1x

b. For F2 x´ x´
y y From trigonometry:
F2 x  650 cos 30  562.917 lb
y´ y´
F2 y  650 sin 30  325 lb
F2y' F2 x  650 sin 75  627.852 lb
45 F 45
2x
x x F2 y  650 cos 75  168.232 lb
30 30
F2y
F2 = 650 lb F1x' F2 = 650 lb
x´ x´
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3. The box on the inclined plane has a mass of 40 kg. Find the components of the weight of the box that are
parallel and perpendicular to the incline.
y y
x
Wx

25 W = 392.4 N
25 Wy
x
Solution:
a. Determine the weight of the box.
W = 40(9.81) = 392.4 N
b. From the tip of the weight, draw a line along the y-axis and from the tail of the weight, draw a line
parallel to the x-axis. The triangle formed should follow the triangle law.
c. Find the required components of the weight.
Wx = W sin 20, Wx = 392.4 sin 25, Wx = 165.835 N
Wy = W cos 20, Wy = 392.4 cos 25, Wy = 355.635 N

4. Determine the components of the force acting on the box shown along the x-y axes which are parallel and
perpendicular to the incline.
y
F = 800 N
3 x
4

5
12

Solution:

a. Find the angle of inclination of F and the angle the inclined plane makes with the horizontal.
y
F = 800 N α1 = Arc tan 3 = 36.87º
x 4
α1
α2 α2 = Arc tan 5 = 22.62º
12

α2 θ = α1 + α2 = 59.49º

b. Use trigonometry to find the required components.

Fx
y
θ Fy Fx = 800 cos 59.49
F = 800 N x

θ = 59.49º = 406.151 N
Fy = 800 sin 59.49
= 689.232 N