Vectors Question 210

Question: The sum of the magnitudes of two forces acting at point is 18 and the magnitude of their resultant is 12. If the resultant is at $ 90{}^\circ $ with the force of smaller magnitude, what are the magnitudes of forces?

Options:

A) 12, 5

B) 14, 4

C) 5, 13

D) 10, 8

Show Answer

Answer:

Correct Answer: C

Solution:

[c] Let p be the smaller force and Q be the greater force then according to problem $ P _{i}+Q=18 $ … (i) $ R=,\sqrt{P^{2}+Q^{2}+,2PQ\cos \theta }=12 $ … (ii) $ \tan ,\phi =,\frac{Q,\sin ,\theta }{P+Q,\cos \theta }=\tan ,90^{o},=\infty $

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Therefore $ $ P+,Q\cos \theta ,=0 $ … (iii) By solving Eqs. (i), (ii) and (iii) we will get $ P=5 $ and $ Q=13 $ .