physics help?

Question

Find the resultant of the following set of forces. (a) 200 N @ 53 degrees (b) 300 N @ 150 degrees (c) 200 N @ 270 degrees, and (d) 350 N @ 310 degrees.

Answer 1

Break them into components, add the like components, and recombine to find the resultant magnitude and angle.

(a) 200 N cos 53 on the x axis, 200 N sin 53 on the y axis.

(b) 300 N cos 150 on the x axis, 300 N sin 150 on the y axis.

(c) 200 N cos 270 on the x axis, 200 N sin 270 on the y axis.

(d) 350 N cos 310 on the x axis, 350 N sin 310 on the y axis.

Note that cos between 90 and 270 is negative, and sin between 180 and 360 is negative.

Once you have the final X-force Fx and Y-force Fy:

The magnitude is found using the Pythagorean Theorem:
sqrt ( Fx^2 + Fy^2)

The angle is inv-tan ( Fy / Fx )