Home Back

Formula For Resultant Force With Angle

Resultant Force Formula:

\[ F_r = \sqrt{F1^2 + F2^2 + 2 F1 F2 \cos(\theta)} \]

N
N
degrees
N

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From: To:

1. What is Resultant Force with Angle?

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.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ F_r = \sqrt{F1^2 + F2^2 + 2 F1 F2 \cos(\theta)} \]

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.

3. Importance of Resultant Force Calculation

Details: Understanding resultant forces is crucial for structural analysis, mechanical design, and predicting object motion under multiple forces.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both force magnitudes in Newtons and the angle between them in degrees (0-180°). All values must be ≥ 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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.

Resultant Force Calculator© - All Rights Reserved 2025