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Parallelogram Law:
The Parallelogram Law is a basic principle for adding two vectors. It says that if you
have two vectors, A and B, acting at the same point, you can find their sum by drawing a
parallelogram where A and B are adjacent sides. The diagonal of this parallelogram gives
you the resultant vector, which is the vector sum of A and B.
In simpler terms, imagine two forces pulling on an object at the same time, one in the east
direction, and the other in the north. The parallelogram law helps you determine the total
effect of both forces by finding the diagonal of the parallelogram they form.
2. Transmissibility:
Transmissibility refers to the idea that the effect of a force on a body remains the same
no matter where along its line of action the force is applied. So, if you push or pull on an
object with a force, moving your hand along the line of the action of the force doesn’t
change the overall effect of that force. It could be applied at one point, or another point
along that line, and the object would still react the same way.
For example, if you apply a force to a door handle to open it, you could theoretically
apply the same force anywhere along the line of action let’s say along the door’s edge and
still get the same result.
3. System of Forces:
A system of forces is just a collection of different forces action on a single body. These
forces can vary in direction, magnitude, and where they are applied on the body.
Classifications:
- Concurrent Forces: Forces that meet at the same point.
Example: Having three people pushing a cart from three different directions, one
pushing north, one pushing east and one pushing southeast. All three forces are acting
at the same point where the cart is located, making them concurrent forces.
- Coplanar Forces: Forces that lie in the same plane.
Example: If a car is being pulled in two directions by two towing trucks, one is
pulling north and one is pulling east both forces are acting in the same horizontal
plane, so they are coplanar.
- Non-concurrent Forces: Forces that do not act through the same point. It means the
line of action of these forces do not intersect at single point.
Example: A ladder leaning against a wall. One force is applied at the bottom of the
ladder, where it is contact the ground and is acting horizontally to resist the
movement of the ladder or the Friction force and the other force is applied at the top
of the ladder, where it touches the wall and there is a normal force exerted by the
wall.
4. Resolution of Vectors:
When you resolve a vector, you break it down into smaller, simpler components. This is
super helpful because sometimes it’s easier to analyze vectors along specific directions
like the horizontal and vertical rather than dealing with the vector as a whole.
For example, if you have a force vector F that makes an angle θ with the horizontal-axis,
you can resolve it like the following:
Along the x-axis: Fx = F cos(θ)
Along the y-axis: Fy = F sin(θ)
This way, you can analyze the force in terms of simpler, straight-line directions like left-
right and up-down and it becomes easier to apply in calculations or understand the effects
of the force in each direction.
In summary, vector resolution is just a technique to break down a complex vector into
more manageable parts. It makes analyzing forces much easier because you’re working
with simpler components instead of the full, original vector.