Question

Four forces having magnitudes of 200 N, 400 N, 600 N and 800 N respectively, are acting along the four sides (1 m each) of a square ABCD taken in order, as shown in Fig. Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant force.

Answer 1

ΣM_A = 400 × 1 + 600 × 1 = 1000 N-m.

Let x be the distance from A along x axis, where resultant cuts AB. Then

x = \(\frac{ΣM_A}{ΣF_y}\) = \(\frac{1000}{400}\) = Σ 2.5 m as shown in the Fig.(a).