GCSE Finding the resultant force, using the parallelogram rule part 2

Finding the resultant force, using the parallelogram rule Part 2

We can use the parallelogram rule to find the resultant force of two forces that do not act along the same line.

Lets look at an example:

The weight acts directly downwards and each rope has its own tension force.We need to construct a free body diagram for this picture, see below:

We need to set a scale for the diagram 1cm = 10N. This means that the 40N weight force will have a 4cm downward arrow.

T₂ has an angle of 45º from the horizontal and T₁ has an angle of  20º from the horizontal

The diagonal force arrow for T2 should be longer than the diagonal force arrow for T1 because T2 is closer to the vertical.

Now we need to complete the parallelogram. First the weight force that is acting downwards would have an equivalent force arrow acting upwards from the centre that is equal in size, so draw this in as a 4cm arrow up from the centre.

Now form the parallelogram, using two parallel lines.

A perfect parallelogram has been produced. You may be asked to give the size of the forces T₁ and T₂. 

Using the scale of 1cm = 10N. You can measure the length of T1 and T2, then apply the scale. In this case they should be approx 31N for T₁ and 41N for T₂