Resultant Force Formula:
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Definition: The resultant force is the single force that represents the vector sum of two or more forces acting at an angle to each other.
Purpose: This calculation is essential in physics and engineering to determine the net effect of multiple forces acting on an object.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula comes from the Law of Cosines in vector mathematics, accounting for both the magnitudes of the forces and the angle between them.
Details: Understanding resultant forces is crucial for structural analysis, mechanical design, and predicting object motion under multiple forces.
Tips: Enter both force magnitudes in Newtons and the angle between them in degrees (0-180°). All values must be ≥ 0.
Q1: What happens when θ = 0° (forces in same direction)?
A: The resultant is simply F1 + F2 (maximum possible resultant).
Q2: What happens when θ = 90° (perpendicular forces)?
A: The formula reduces to √(F1² + F2²) as the Pythagorean theorem.
Q3: What happens when θ = 180° (opposite forces)?
A: The resultant is |F1 - F2| (minimum possible resultant).
Q4: Can this be used for more than two forces?
A: No, this calculator handles only two forces. For more forces, you'd need to combine them pairwise.
Q5: What units should I use?
A: The calculator uses Newtons (N) for force and degrees for angle. Ensure consistent units.