1. What is the Resultant of Two Forces Acting at an Angle?

Definition: This calculator determines the magnitude of the resultant force when two forces act on a point at a specified angle between them.

Purpose: It's essential in physics and engineering for analyzing forces in structures, mechanical systems, and vector calculations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

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

3. Importance of Resultant Force Calculation

Details: Understanding resultant forces helps in designing stable structures, analyzing mechanical systems, and solving problems in physics and engineering.

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° (forces in same direction)?
A: The resultant is simply the sum of both forces (F1 + F2).

Q2: What happens when θ = 90° (perpendicular forces)?
A: The resultant follows the Pythagorean theorem: √(F1² + F2²).

Q3: What happens when θ = 180° (opposite forces)?
A: The resultant is the absolute difference between the forces (|F1 - F2|).

Q4: Can this be used for more than two forces?
A: No, this calculator is for two forces only. For multiple forces, you'd need to combine them pairwise or use vector components.

Q5: Does this give the direction of the resultant force?
A: No, this only calculates the magnitude. Direction requires additional trigonometric calculations.