Resultant forces

A number of forces acting on an object may be replaced by a single force that has the same effect as all the original forces acting together. This single force is called the resultant force.

Students should be able to calculate the resultant of two forces that act in a straight line.

(HT only) Students should be able to:

• describe examples of the forces acting on an isolated object or system

• use free body diagrams to describe qualitatively examples where several forces lead to a resultant force on an object, including balanced forces when the resultant force is zero.

(HT only) A single force can be resolved into two components acting at right angles to each other. The two component forces together have the same effect as the single force.

WS 1.2

(HT only) Students should be able to use vector diagrams to illustrate resolution of forces, equilibrium situations and determine the resultant of two forces, to include both magnitude and direction (scale drawings only).