Activity 2.1.4 Calculating Force Vectors
Introduction
If guy wires are used to stabilize a tower, what is the minimum number of wires necessary? Imagine what would happen if you only used one or two wires. The guy wires work together so that the tower does not fall in any direction. As long as there are no external forces and the wires are equally spaced, each of the wires should be experiencing an equal amount of tension. The tension in each guy wire can be expressed as a vector force. It is important that values are given for each force so that engineers can make informed decisions about the necessary strength of guy wires and their support mechanisms.
If guy wires are used to stabilize a tower, what is the minimum number of wires necessary? Imagine what would happen if you only used one or two wires. The guy wires work together so that the tower does not fall in any direction. As long as there are no external forces and the wires are equally spaced, each of the wires should be experiencing an equal amount of tension. The tension in each guy wire can be expressed as a vector force. It is important that values are given for each force so that engineers can make informed decisions about the necessary strength of guy wires and their support mechanisms.
Conclusion
1. You and someone else are pulling with forces of equal magnitude. You each pulling at an angle of 25° from the X axis (see top view below). How could you reduce the amount of force each of you must exert?
2. You and someone else are pulling on an object with forces of 50N and 75N respectively. If you are allowed to pull in any direction, what range of values is possible for the magnitude of the resultant force?