Resolving forces
Physics and electronics discussion, revision, exam and homework help.
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Re: Resolving forces
I assume you mean "adding" forces, not "resolving".
Also, if the force marked "f" is meant to be the sum of W and N, it's pointing in the wrong direction in both cases.
The resultant of two vectors, end to end, is the vector that joins the tail of the first vector to the head of the second.
In this diagram, the sum of AB plus CD is AD
not DA.
The 2nd diagram below is the correct case.
Your diagrams both show the incorrect 1st case.

Both diagrams are mathematical constructions made by shifting one of the forces from the original situation where the two forces would be acting at the same point.Last edited by Stonebridge; 10-09-2012 at 18:51.