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Define the terms resultant and equilibriant of

two forces acting at a point. Explain the
difference between the two terms.
Find the magnitude and direction of (a) the
resultant (b) the equilibriant of two forces, 10
N acting in the direction N 30 East and 15 N
acting in the easterly direction, if both forces
act at a point.​

1 Answer

5 votes

Answer:

1) Resultant and Equilibrant explained below

2) Resultant = 24.18 N in a direction of 11.93° NE

3)Equilibrant = 24.18 N in a direction of 11.93° SW

Step-by-step explanation:

1) Resultant force: If two or more forces are acting at a certain point, their resultant force would be defined as the force that when applied at that same point, it will have the exact same effect like the two independent forces acting together.

Equilibrant of 2 forces: This is defined as the force exactly equal and has an opposite direction to the resultant

2)a.) we are told that 10 N acts in the direction N 30 East and 15 N acts in the easterly direction, if both forces

act at a point. Thus, coordinates are;

(10cos30,10sin30) and (15,0)

Therefore, resultant coordinate is;

R→ = (10cos30, 10sin30) + (15, 0)

R→ = (15 + 10cos30, 0 + 10 sin 30)

This gives;

R→ = (23.66, 5)

Thus the resultant is;

R = √(23.66² + 5²)

R = √584.7956

R = 24.18 N

b) direction is gotten from;

tan θ = 5/23.66

θ = tan^(-1) 5/23.66

θ = 11.93° NE

c) Equilibrant is equal force but opposite direction. Thus, Equilibrant = 24.18 N in a direction of 11.93° SW

User Shekar Kola
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