Math Is Fun Forum

math9maniac

Member

From: Tema

Registered: 2015-03-30

Posts: 443

Mechanics

#1.  Find the horizontal and the vertical components of a force of 8 N which acts on a particle and makes an angle of 30 degrees with the horizontal.

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Only a friend tells you your face is dirty.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Mechanics

Hi;

Any vector directed in two dimensions can be thought of as having an influence in two different directions. That is, it can be thought of as having two parts. Each part of a two-dimensional vector is known as a component. The components of a vector depict the influence of that vector in a given direction. The combined influence of the two components is equivalent to the influence of the single two-dimensional vector. The single two-dimensional vector could be replaced by the two components.

My vectors have become pretty dull  since I ain't done any of them for more than a century so I hope some of this is right. ( To prove that, just take a  close look at how dull the tips of them arrows are.)

The red vector is the one you are given and the horizontal and vertical components are the blue and green vectors.

With a little trig you can solve easily. Remember SOHCAHTOA?

All the following values are in degrees.

We can see that opposite side equals 4 which is the vertical component. You can now easily get the horizontal component.

Take the advice of the guy in the picture and try for yourself, if you stall then more help is coming.

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,626

Re: Mechanics

Perfect answer, bobbym.  And beautifully explained. 

And I'm not falling for this 'dull' nonsense.  Look how bright your colors are!

Bob

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Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob

math9maniac

Member

From: Tema

Registered: 2015-03-30

Posts: 443

Re: Mechanics

Hi bobbym,

Please is that your solution we have up there, post #2?

Regards,

math9maniac.

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Only a friend tells you your face is dirty.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Mechanics

Hi math9maniac;

You will need to find the horizontal component to complete the answer. You will call upon Pythagoras to assist you.

The history books sometimes say Pythagoras was from Pergamon and some say Samos and others say Italy. They are all wrong! Pythagoras was from Vegas. I knew him and he was a heck of a coffee maker. Of course, history only remembers the non essential parts like the theorem that bears his name.

Thanks Bob!

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

math9maniac

Member

From: Tema

Registered: 2015-03-30

Posts: 443

Re: Mechanics

Hi;

Please this is as the forum suggests, the Exercises section of the forum. Thus, I'm expecting an answer to the question.

Any problems or difficulty I have will definitely be posted in the Help Me section.

Thanks.

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Only a friend tells you your face is dirty.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Mechanics

Hi;

I am sorry, I thought you only wanted a hint.

If you use the Pythagorean theorem you will get:

Take the square root of both sides.

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.