Resolution of forces

Composition of forces
Forces added to obtain a single force which produces
the same effect as the original system of forces.

This single force is known as Resultant force.

The process of finding the resultant force is called
composition of forces.
 Composition of forces
There are two methods of finding resultant

1. Analytical method

2. Graphical method

Analytical methods are

❖ Parallelogram law &

❖ Method of Resolution
 Type I: Problems on Composition of Forces
by Parallelogram and Triangle Law
1.1 Law Of Parallelogram:- 1.2 Triangle Law :-

RP Q
= =
Sin β Sin α Sinθ
Where,
R = Resultant of force P & Q
θ = Angle Between P & R
β = Angle Between P & Q
α = Angle Between Q & R
 Ex.1. Find the resultant of the following forces

3N

4N
• Solution : Case i) By Parallelogram Law

R
3N
R=5N α
4N
 Continue……..
• Solution : Case ii) By Triangle Law

By Cosine rule

R=5N R
3N
By Sine rule α
4N
70 N 70 N R

60ᵒ
α
50 N 50 N

R 70 N

α 120ᵒ 60ᵒ

50 N
 300 N

50
500 N
500 N

50

300 N
 Resolution of forces

• The way of representing a single force into number of

forces without changing the effect of the force on
the body is called as resolution of forces.

Fy
R

Fx
Fy

Fx
Ex. 1. Two Forces act at an angle of 120°. The bigger force is of 40N and the resultant
is perpendicular to the smaller one. Find the smaller force.

F2 = 20 N
Ex. 2. Resolve the 100 N force acting a 30° to horizontal into two component one
along horizontal and other along 120° to horizontal.
 Resolution of a force into two mutually perpendicular
components (Rectangular Components)

• Let a force F be inclined at an angle as shown in

fig. We have to resolve it into two mutually
perpendicular components Fx along X- Axis
and Fy along Y- Axis.
A
X-Axis.
• From point A on the line of action of
aforce, draw perpendicular AB on

O
B
 • In ∆ AOB,
F
x A
OB = OA cos θ
But OA = F
Fy

Therefore, OB = F cos θ O B
Lets say OB = Fx, as it is the magnitude
of x-component

Hence, Fx = F cos θ
 • In ∆ OBA,
F
x A
AB = OA sin θ
But OA = F
Fy

Therefore, AB = F sin θ O B
Lets say AB = Fy, as it is the magnitude of
y- component

Hence, Fy = F sin θ
 Resolution of a force into two non perpendicular
components (Oblique Components)
• A force can also be resolved along the two F2
directions which are not at right angles to
each other. F
β
• In ∆OAC, Applying sine rule, we get
α
F1

F1
B C

F2 F2
β
α (α+β)
O A
F1
Resolution of Force By Perpendicular component

Fx = F cosθ
Fy = F sinθ
Where, 1st Quad = Fx (+ve) & Fy (-ve)
Fx = Horizontal component of 2nd Quad = Fx (-ve) & Fy (+ve)
Force 3rd Quad = Fx (-ve) & Fy (-ve)
Fy = Vertical Component of 4th Quad = Fx (+ve) & Fy (-ve)
force
Q. 2 Find the Component of force 100 N passing
through the points (0,2) & (-1,2)

(-1,2) Fx = F cosθ
(0,2)
F = 100 N Fy = F sinθ
2
1 Θ=0 Fx = 100N
-2 -1 Fy = 0

(-1,2) (0,2)
F = 100 N
2 Fx = -100N
1 Θ = 180 Fy = 0
-2 -1
Resolution of Force By Non-Perpendicular component

F2

F
β
α
F1

1st Quad = Fx (+ve) & Fy (-ve)

2nd Quad = Fx (-ve) & Fy (+ve)
3rd Quad = Fx (-ve) & Fy (-ve)
4th Quad = Fx (+ve) & Fy (-ve)
F1
2000 N
105°
60°
X- axis
330°
F2
F2
F

F1
60° 30°
X- axis