Two forces 20N and 8N, acting along one straight line in different directions
Two forces 20N and 8N, acting along one straight line in different directions, are applied to the same body, determine the resultant force.
Given:
F1 = 20 Newton – the magnitude of the first force;
F2 = 8 Newton – the magnitude of the second force.
It is required to determine F (Newton) – the resultant of two forces.
According to the condition of the problem, both forces act along one straight line in different directions. Then, we introduce a coordinate system and assume that the force F1 acts in the positive direction of the ОХ axis, and the force F2 – in the negative one. The resultant of the two forces will be equal to:
F = F1 – F2 = 20 – 8 = 12 Newtons.
Answer: the resultant of two forces will be equal to 12 Newtons and directed towards the greater force.