The Triangle Law of Forces states that if two forces acting on a particle are represented by the sides of a triangle in order of direction and magnitude, their resultant can be represented by the third side of the triangle in the reverse direction. The Polygon Law of Forces extends this concept to multiple forces represented by the sides of a polygon, with the resultant being the closing side of the polygon in the opposite direction. Both laws use geometric representations of forces with triangles and polygons to show the direction and magnitude of the net resultant force.
The Triangle Law of Forces states that if two forces acting on a particle are represented by the sides of a triangle in order of direction and magnitude, their resultant can be represented by the third side of the triangle in the reverse direction. The Polygon Law of Forces extends this concept to multiple forces represented by the sides of a polygon, with the resultant being the closing side of the polygon in the opposite direction. Both laws use geometric representations of forces with triangles and polygons to show the direction and magnitude of the net resultant force.
The Triangle Law of Forces states that if two forces acting on a particle are represented by the sides of a triangle in order of direction and magnitude, their resultant can be represented by the third side of the triangle in the reverse direction. The Polygon Law of Forces extends this concept to multiple forces represented by the sides of a polygon, with the resultant being the closing side of the polygon in the opposite direction. Both laws use geometric representations of forces with triangles and polygons to show the direction and magnitude of the net resultant force.
It states – “If a couple of forces applying simultaneously on a
particle is represented in direction and magnitude taken in order by the two sides of a triangle, then their resultant can be represented in direction and magnitude by the third side of the triangle, taken in the reverse direction.
Consider two forces P and Q (see fig) acting over a common
point, then by closing the remaining side of the triangle we get the resultant of the forces as R, with opposite orders. Polygon Law of Forces
It states – “If several different forces applying simultaneously over
a particle be represented in the order of direction and magnitude by the sides of the polygon, then the resultant of the entire forces can be represented in the opposite order of direction and magnitude by the closing side of the polygon."
The figure illustrates five forces A, B, C, D and E, with arrows
indicating their directions. The next figure provides the resultant of the five forces by R, which is the closing side of the polygon, but in the opposite direction, again shown by the arrowheads.