Worked Example 2.

Consider two forces of magnitudes 11 N and F

8 N acting on a particle, with an angle of 30
between them. What is the magnitude and di- o
30 8
rection of the resultant force? 11

Solution. In order to calculate the required magnitude it is necessary to use the cosine rule. Pythago-
ras theorem cannot be used as the forces are not perpendicular.

82 + 112 2 8 11 cos 150 = 337.42

F2 =
F = 337.42 = 18.37 = 18 N (2 s.f.)

In order to calculate the required angle, , which F makes with the positive x-axis, the sine rule is
needed.

sin sin 150 8

= sin = sin 150 = 13 (2 s.f.)
8 F 18.37

Therefore, the resultant force, F, of the two forces has a magnitude of 18 N at an angle of 13 to
the positive x-axis.
The same principles can be applied to a system of more then 2 forces. In practice this can sometimes
be difficult. In these cases it is often easier to sum the components of the forces involved.
Exercises

1. Consider two forces of magnitudes 7 N and 8 N acting on a particle, as shown in diagram 1.

What is the magnitude and direction of the resultant force?

2. Consider two forces of magnitudes 4 N and 4 N acting on a particle, as shown in diagram 2.

What is the magnitude and direction of the resultant force?

3. Consider two forces of magnitudes 7 N and 9 N acting on a particle, as shown in diagram 3.

What is the magnitude and direction of the resultant force?

4. For the set of forces in diagram 4, what is the magnitude and direction of the resultant?

7 10
7
4 4 45
o 45
o
o
4
o o
45

8
60 30
30
o
9
10
diagram 1 diagram 2 diagram 3 diagram 4

Answers (all 2 s.f.)

1. F = 11 N at 49 below the negative x-axis 2. F = 5.7 N at 75 above the positive x-axis
3. F = 9.9 N at 17 below the positive x-axis 4. F = 10 N in direction of negative x-axis.

www.mathcentre.ac.uk 2 c mathcentre 2009

Written by T. Graham, M.C. Harrison, S. Lee, C.L.Robinson
 Calculating Acceleration

Another equation youll need is the one for acceleration.

Acceleration is defined as the change in velocity (or speed) per second :

and the other two forms of

the equation are :
a= v v
t a x t v = a x t
t = v
a
Info. ! Notice the triangle symbol () in front
of the v. Its the Greek letter delta.
In this case it means change in.

Change in velocity is measured in metres per second (m/s)

Time is measured in seconds (s)
Acceleration is measured in metres per second2 (m/s2)

Example 1
A cyclist increases her speed from 5m/s to 19m/s in 7 seconds.
What is her acceleration?

a= v = ( 19 5 ) = 14 = 2 m/s2
t 7 7

Example 2

An oil tanker can decelerate at a maximum rate of 0.04 m/s2. How long will the tanker take
to come to a complete stop if initially travelling at a speed of 12 m/s ?

t= v = ( 12 ) = 300 s ( A full 5 minutes !)

a 0.04

Example 3

A football moving forwards at a speed of 12.4 m/s, is kicked forwards so that its speed
increases. The acceleration of the ball is 48.0 m/s2, which lasts for 0.45 s. Whats the final
speed of the ball after this acceleration ?

Change in speed, v = a x t = 48.0 x 0.45 = 21.6 m/s

So, final speed = 12.4 + 21.6 = 34.0 m/s

2 GCSE Science: Physics 2 www.bangor.ac.uk