Question

The resultant of a 15 pound force and an 8-pound force acting on an object is 10 pounds.

The angle formed, to the nearest degree, between the resultant and the smaller force is

Answer 1

112 degrees.

Explanation:

• as we know that the three set of forces will form a triangle, by using cosine rule, we can find the required angle.

• follow the diagram in the attachment.

• by cosine rule for
  `\alpha`,

2*10*8*cos
`\alpha`=
`8^(2) +10^(2) -15^(2)  = 64+100-225= 164-225=-61`

now, dividing both sides by 2*10*8,

cos
`\alpha` = -61/160

`\alpha` = 112.4 degrees = 112 ( appox) ( use calculator for this cos inverse function)