Vector diagram is commonly referred to parallelogram diagram.
Vector diagrams are generally divded into 3 categories:
1) 2 forces acting on a body, there is a resultant force. (Newton’s 2nd Law)
2) 3 forces acting on a body, the body is at rest / in equilibrium or moving at constant speed. (Newton’s 1st Law, Net force = 0N)
– The resultant force due to any 2 forces is equal and opposite to the 3rd unknown force.
3) 3 forces acting on a body, the body is at rest / in equilibrium or moving at constant speed (Newton’s 1st Law, Net force = 0N)
– Only 1 known force, angles given, using closed loop triangle to find the 2 unknown forces.
Let’s look at some examples for each category.
1) 2 forces acting on a body, there is a resultant force. (Newton’s 2nd Law)
2) 3 forces acting on a body, the body is at rest / in equilibrium or moving at constant speed. (Newton’s 1st Law, Net force = 0N)
– The resultant force due to any 2 forces is equal and opposite to the 3rd unknown force.
– You can either use parallelogram rule or closed looped triangle.
Example 1: Body at rest – Using Parallelogram Rule
Example 1: Body at rest – Using Closed-Looped Triangle
Example 2: Body at constant speed – Using Parallelogram Rule
Example 2: Body at constant speed – Using Closed-Looped Triangle
3) 3 forces acting on a body, the body is at rest / in equilibrium or moving at constant speed (Newton’s 1st Law, Net force = 0N)
– Only 1 known force, angles given, using closed loop triangle to find the 2 unknown forces.
Example 1
Example 2
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