Resultant of Coplanar Force Systems

The two forces acting on a particle can be added using the parallelogram law and become a single force
called the resultant force.

Problem:
1. The screw eye is subjected to two forces, F1 and F2. Determine the magnitude and direction of
the resultant force.

Solution:
The parallelogram is formed by drawing a line from the head of F1 that is parallel to F2, and
another line from the head of F2 that is parallel to F1. The resultant FR extends to where these
lines intersect at point A. The two unknowns are the magnitude of FR and the angle Ѳ.

Using Law of Cosine

𝐹𝑅 = √(100𝑁)2 + (150𝑁)2 − 2(100𝑁)(150𝑁)𝑐𝑜𝑠1150 = 212.55𝑁

Applying the Law of Sine to determine Ѳ.

sin 𝜃 sin 1150
=
150𝑁 212.55𝑁

150𝑁 sin 1150

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 =
212.55𝑁
𝜃 = 39.760

The direction of the resultant measured from the horizontal

∅ = 39.760 + 150 = 54.760
2. A stake is being pulled out of the ground by means of two ropes as shown. Knowing that α = 30°,
determine (a) the magnitude of the force P so that the resultant force exerted on the stake is
vertical, (b) the corresponding magnitude of the resultant.

Solution:
Using triangle rule

a.) Using Law of Sine

120𝑁 𝑃
0
=
sin 30 sin 250

120𝑁 sin 250

𝑃= = 101.43𝑁
sin 300

From the figure

300 + 𝛽 + 250 = 1800
𝛽 = 1800 − 300 − 250 = 1250

b.) Using again Law of Sine

120𝑁 𝑅
0
=
sin 30 sin 1250

120𝑁 sin 1250

𝑅= = 196.6𝑁
sin 300
 3. Resolve the horizontal 600-lb force in Fig. into components acting along the u and v axes and
determine the magnitudes of these components.

Solution:

The parallelogram is constructed by extending a line from the head of the 600-lb force parallel to the v
axis until it intersects the u axis at point B. The arrow from A to B represents Fu . Similarly, the line
extended from the head of the 600-lb force drawn parallel to the u axis intersects the v axis at point C,
which gives Fv.

Applying Law of Sine

𝐹𝑢 600 𝑙𝑏
0
=
sin 120 sin 300

600 𝑙𝑏 sin 1200

𝐹𝑢 = = 1,039.23 𝑙𝑏
sin 300

𝐹𝑣 600 𝑙𝑏
0
=
sin 30 sin 300

600 𝑙𝑏 sin 300

𝐹𝑣 = = 600 𝑙𝑏
sin 300