1. What is a Resultant Force Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the magnitude of the resultant force when two forces act at an angle to each other.

Purpose: It helps engineers, physicists, and students analyze force systems and understand vector addition.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( F_r \) — Resultant force magnitude (Newtons)
• \( F1 \) — First force magnitude (Newtons)
• \( F2 \) — Second force magnitude (Newtons)
• \( \theta \) — Angle between the forces (degrees)

Explanation: The formula comes from the Law of Cosines in vector mathematics, accounting for both the magnitudes and directional relationship between the forces.

3. Importance of Resultant Force Calculation

Details: Calculating resultant forces is essential for structural analysis, mechanical design, and understanding equilibrium conditions in physics.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What happens when θ = 0° or 180°?
A: At 0° (same direction), forces simply add (F_r = F1 + F2). At 180° (opposite directions), they subtract (F_r = |F1 - F2|).

Q2: What's the maximum possible resultant force?
A: The maximum occurs when θ = 0° (F_r = F1 + F2). The minimum occurs at θ = 180°.

Q3: How does the angle affect the resultant?
A: As θ increases from 0° to 180°, the resultant decreases from maximum to minimum.

Q4: Can I use this for more than two forces?
A: No, this calculates only two forces. For multiple forces, you'd need to combine them sequentially.

Q5: What about the direction of the resultant force?
A: This calculator gives only the magnitude. Direction requires additional trigonometric calculations.