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Writer's pictureEvan Toh

Different Types of Vector Diagrams

Updated: Oct 19

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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