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2.1.4 Calculating Force Vectors

The document discusses calculating force vectors. It provides examples of calculating the x and y components of multiple force vectors and using them to find the resultant force vector. It also discusses how pulling at an angle reduces the necessary force and how the magnitude of the resultant force between two forces can range from the difference to the sum of the individual forces depending on their relative directions.

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derik hanson
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2K views

2.1.4 Calculating Force Vectors

The document discusses calculating force vectors. It provides examples of calculating the x and y components of multiple force vectors and using them to find the resultant force vector. It also discusses how pulling at an angle reduces the necessary force and how the magnitude of the resultant force between two forces can range from the difference to the sum of the individual forces depending on their relative directions.

Uploaded by

derik hanson
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Honors POE Name ____________________

2.1.4 Calculating Force Vectors


Introduction
If guy wires are used to stabilize a tower, what is the minimum number of wires necessary? Imagine
what would happen if you only used one or two wires. The guy wires work together so that the tower
does not fall in any direction. As long as there are no external forces and the wires are equally
spaced, each of the wires should experience an equal amount of tension. The tension in each guy
wire can be expressed as a vector force. It is important that values are given for each force so that
engineers can make informed decisions about the necessary strength of guy wires and their support
mechanisms.
Procedure

1. What is the magnitude of vector A?

5N
2. What is the direction of vector A relative to the negative y-axis?
30 degrees CCW from -y axis

3. What is the sense of vector A?


Down and right

4. Sketch vector A with its x and y components


(Solve for component forces with a precision of 0.0)

Ax=2.5N

Ay=-4.3N

5. What is the magnitude of vector B?


5N

6. What is the direction of vector B relative


to the negative y-axis?
30 degrees CW from -y-axis

7. What is the sense of vector B?


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Honors POE Name ____________________

Down and left


8. Sketch vector B with its x and y components.
(Solve for component forces with a precision of 0.0.)

Bx= -2.5N
By= -4.3N

A picture is hung from a nail with wire. The nail supports two forces A = 5N and B = 5N.

9. Draw a free body diagram of the nail, illustrating the x and y components of vector A and B.
(Solve for component forces with a precision of 0.0.)

Bx = -2.5 N
By = -4.3 N

Ax = 2.5 N
Ay = -4.3 N

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Honors POE Name ____________________
10. Calculate the x and y components of the resultant force(R) by summing the x and y
components of vectors A and B.

ΣFx = FAx + FBx ΣFy = FAy +FBy

Fx = 0 N
Fy = -8.6 N

An eye screw is experiencing two tension forces G=100N and H=50N.

11. Sketch vector G with its x and y components. (Solve for component forces with a precision of
0.0.)
Gx = 25.9 N
Gy = 96.6 N

12. Sketch vector H with its x and y components. (Solve for component forces with a precision of
0.0.)

Hx = 47.0 N
Hy = 17.1 N

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Honors POE Name ____________________

13. Calculate the sum of the x and y components of vectors G and H (precision of 0.0).

ΣFx = FGx + FHx ΣFy = FGy + FHy

Fx = 72.9 N
Fy = 113.7 N

14. If you know the components of a vector, what mathematical relationship can be used to find
the magnitude of the vector?

Pythagorean Theorem

15. Sketch the resultant force (R) and calculate the magnitude and angle of the vector (precision
0.0).

R = 135 N
Theta = 57.4 degrees

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Honors POE Name ____________________

Conclusion
1. You and someone else are pulling with forces of equal magnitude. You are each pulling at
an angle of 25° from the X axis (see top view below). How could you reduce the amount of
force each of you must exert?

You could both pull in a direction with a smaller angle from the x-axis. When pulling at an angle,
each of the two forces has a component perpendicular to the direction of motion, and these y
components are acting against each other, cancelling, giving no contribution to the net force.

2. You and someone else are pulling on an object with forces of 50N and 75N, respectively.
If you are allowed to pull in any direction, what range of values is possible for the
magnitude of the resultant force?
The resultant force could have values ranging from 25N to 125N.
The resultant would be 25N if the two forces were in opposite
directions, 180° apart. The resultant would be 125N if the two
forces were in the same direction, 0° apart. If the angle between the
two forces was between 0° and 180°, the resultant would be
between 25N and 125 N.

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