Resolution Of Force Using X-Y Axis As Reference Frame

Application of the resolution of force to solve problem involving object on an inclined

plane is one example where students having hard time to comprehend. This can be made
easier for the students by always using X-Y Axis as the reference frame when resolving
the weight of the object on the inclined plane.
Resolution of force.
Teaching Approach:
Step 1. The lesson is started by stating that two forces can be combined into a single or
resultant force. Conversely, a single force can be resolved into two mutually
perpendicular components along the X and Y axes as shown in the diagram below.
Y

C
Fy
o
0

Fx

Where Cos =
=

and

OA
OB

Fx
F

AB
OB
OC
=
OB
Fy

or

The X-component, Fx = F cos

or

The Y-component, Fy = F sin

Sin =

Take note that it is worthwhile to emphasize to the students to remember

that the component adjacent to the angle where force acts is always equal to
the force x cos ; in this case, Fx = F cos . On the other hand, the
component alternate to the angle is always force x sin , i.e. Fy = F sin .

This can be useful when come to solving problem involving resolution of forces in
various type of situations. The students need not resort to the right angel triangle to derive
the two components.
Step 2. Give a few example of resolving force into X and Y components for different
orientation of the X-Y Axis Reference Frame.
Example 1.
Y

Fx

30o

X
Fy

In the diagram above, the y-component, Fy = F cos 300 since the Fy component is
adjacent(next) to the angle 300 .
The X-component, Fx = F sin 300 as it is alternate to the angle 300 where the force F
acts.
Example 2. Resolve the force, F = 50 N which acts an angle of 40o below the horizontal
line into horizontal and vertical components.
Horizintal line

40o

F = 50 N

Draw the X-Y axis as reference frame.

X

0
Fy

F = 50 N
Y
Resolve the force along OX amd OY respectively.
Horizontal component, Fx = F cos40o
= 50 cos 40o N
Vertical component, Fy = F sin 40o
= 50 sin 400 N
Example 3. Resolve the force F = 100 N into two components along OX and OY.
0
Fy

Fx
o

30

X
F = 100 N

It is clear that, Fx = F cos 30o ( as component Fx is ajdacent to the angle B)

= 100 cos 30o N
Fy = F sin Bo ( as component Fy is alternate to the angle B)
= F sin 30o N

Example 4. Diagram below shows a wooden block of weight, W = 100 N , resting on an

inclined plane. The forces acting on the wooden block as shown in the
diagram are in equilibrium. Determine the values of G and R.
( R = Normal reaction force and G = Frictional force between the wooden
block and the surface of the inclined plane.)
The resultant force acting on the wooden block is zero.
W+R+G=0
Thus, the resultant of the X and Y components of the forces acting on it is also zero.
The problem faced by most students is the inability to get the two relevant mutually
perpendicular components of the force, W, correctly. The two relevant or effective
components of the force , W, required for solving this problem are the component along
the inclined plane and the component perpendicular to the inclined plane.
R

30o
X
0

30

W = 100 N
Y
Teacher can help students overcome this problem by introducing X-Y axis as the
reference frame when resolving the force, W, into these two effective componets as
shown in the diagram above.
By geometry, angle WOY = 30o
It is clearly seen that the Y-component which is perpendicular to the surface of the
inclined plane is Wcos30o since it is adjacent to the angle 30o .
The X-component which is along the inclined plane is Wsin30o since it is alternate to the
angle 30o.

As the wooden block is in equilibrium,

Y-component = R
Thus Wcos30o = R
R = 100cos30o
= 100 x 0.866 N
= 86.6 N
X-component = G
Wsin30o = G
G = 100sin300
= 100 x 0.5 N
= 50.0 N
Teacher can close the lesson by giving some reinforcing exercises involving solving of
problems using resolving forces.
BY Lee Hong Leng
SMKA TUN AHMAD ZAIDI
KUCHING