105k views
1 vote
Two dogs pull horizontally on ropes attached to a post; the angle between the ropes is 60.0 degrees. If Dog A exerts a force of 100 N and Dog B exerts a force of 120 N, what is the resultant force acting on the post?

User Anie
by
7.8k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

The resultant force acting on the post is approximately 244.95 N.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the resultant force, we need to use vector addition. Since the forces are acting horizontally, we can represent them as vectors in the x-direction. Let's call the force exerted by Dog A as vector A and the force exerted by Dog B as vector B.

To find the resultant force, we can use the formula:

Resultant force = sqrt(A^2 + B^2 + 2ABcosθ)

Plugging in the values, we have:

Resultant force = sqrt((100^2) + (120^2) + 2(100)(120)cos(60°)).

Calculating this, the resultant force is approximately 244.95 N.