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darwinshuffle darwinshuffle
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11 years ago
This is a Physics 20 question...

An object in equilibrium has three forces acting on it.  A 50 N force at 90 degrees, and a 44 N force at 60 degrees.  What is the magnitude and direction of the 3rd force?

-Thanks!
If you can explain to me how this works, and how you got the answer, thanks a bunch =)
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wrote...
11 years ago
The third force is the sum of the first two, but opposite in direction. In other words, the sum of the three will be zero.

Assuming your angles are referenced to 0º at the +x axis.

Take X and Y components of the first two
F1x = 0
F1y = 50
F2x = 44cos60 = 22
F2y = 44sin60 = 38.1

Add the two
Fx = 22
Fy = 88.1
F = ?(22² + 88.1²) = ?(484 + 7762) = 90.8
? = arctan(88.1/22) = 76.0º

reverse the direction by adding 180 degrees
F3 = 90.8 ?256.0º


to be a nice guy, I'll check by adding all 3 up.
F1x = 0
F1y = 50
F2x = 44cos60 = 22
F2y = 44sin60 = 38.1
F3x = 90.8cos256 = ?22.0
F3y = 90.8sin256 = ?88.1

?Fx = 0+22?22 = 0
?Fy = 50+38.1?88.1 = 0


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