Question

Two forces with magnitudes of 100 and 50 pounds act on an object at angles of 50° and 160°, respectively. Find the direction and magnitude of the resultant force. Round to two decimal places in all intermediate steps and in your final answer.

Answer 1

Forces in direction x:
 fx1 = 100 * cos (50) = 64.28
 fx2 = 50 * cos (160) = - 46.99
 The resultant is:
 fx = fx1 + fx2 = 17.29

 Forces in direction y:
 fy1 = 100 * sine (50) = 76.60
 fy2 = 50 * sine (160) = 17.10
 The resultant is:
 fy = fy1 + fy2 = 93.70
 The magnitude of the resulting force is:
 f = root (fx ^ 2 + fy ^ 2)
 f = root ((17.29) ^ 2 + (93.70) ^ 2)
 f = 95.28
 The angle is:
 theta = atan (fy / fx)
 theta = atan (93.70 / 17.29)
 theta = 79.55 degrees
 Answer:
 The direction and magnitude of the resultant force are:
 f = 95.28 pounds at theta = 79.55 degrees