- #1
pka
- 11
- 0
Homework Statement
Resolve the force F2 into components acting along the u and v axes and determine the magnitudes of the components.
So! I was able to finally determine F2u. I cannot for the live of me get F2v. I am having a very hard time solving this problem. I have included the diagram of the problem. All of it is what is given.
Here is the link to the image:
http://i16.tinypic.com/6je9m60.jpg
Alright! So in order to first solve for F2v I constructed a triangle where the left side was the F2 force of 500 N and the right side was the F2v vector. They're both connected by the same point. It looks exactly as in the diagram I included. And via the diagram included I determined that the angles inside the triangle are 45, 65 and 70 counterclockwise. So! I used the Law of Sines. F2v is then 482 N.
Ok, so in order to calculate F2u I tried something similar but my numbers are far too large. I get numbers in the range of 600-1000 N. And...F2v should be 376 N. I tried the same thing I did with F2v but I can't seem to determine the base angles so that I can use Law of Sines again. I get 115 degrees as the angle between the concurrent forces (F2 and F2u). But I don't know how to get the other two angles. I'm just stumped. I thought maybe a different approach would be better. So I tried just solving for the opposite side of the u line to get F2u...In other words I said that F2u is (500 N)*cos(65 deg). 65 because that's the angle between 70 and 45. And...well I get 211 N. But that's not it either. =/
If anyone could tell me the way I'm supposed to be thinking about this problem I would greatly appreciate it because there are more problems like there I'm having trouble with but I really need some help. hahaha. Many thanks in advance!
--pka