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 physics students and engineers calculate the net effect of two vector forces acting at a specific angle.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: This formula comes from the Law of Cosines applied to vector addition and gives the magnitude of the vector sum of two forces.

3. Importance of Resultant Force Calculation

Details: Understanding resultant forces is crucial for analyzing mechanical systems, structural stability, and motion dynamics.

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°?
A: When forces are parallel (0°), the resultant is simply F1 + F2 (maximum possible resultant).

Q2: What happens when θ = 90°?
A: At 90°, the formula reduces to √(F1² + F2²) as the Pythagorean theorem.

Q3: What happens when θ = 180°?
A: When forces oppose each other (180°), the resultant is |F1 - F2| (minimum possible resultant).

Q4: Does this work for more than two forces?
A: No, this calculator is for two forces only. For multiple forces, you'd need to add them sequentially.

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