Resultant of two like parallel forces and impact of two similar unlike parallel forces on the resultant

Question

There are two like parallel forces P and Q acting at A and D respectively. Their resultant is acting at point E.  Now two more forces of equal magnitude and are unlike parallel have been made to act on point B and C respectively. Will the two force acting at B and C have any impact on te resultant P+Q like displacing it from Point E to some other point?
I know a torque is acting due to the two similar unlike forces but will it have any impact on the other two?

Jaswanth Naga · Answer

Unlike forces or a 'couple' always produce a torque when acted upon at equal distance from centre of mass if they have equal magnitude. Since the impact point is always considered to be at the centre of mass, there will be no displacement of point of impact by any forces whatsoever unless centre of mass shifts.  However here, since reference frame is not specified, only direction of forces matter rather than their location.

R.W. Bird · Answer

Each force on an object acts separately. You can combine their effect in pretty much any manner that you choose. However, the vector sum of all the forces acting on an object (or any system of masses) determines the acceleration of the center of mass, and the vector sum of all of the torques (about the center of mass) determines the angular acceleration of the object about the center of mass.

Answered by R.W. Bird on May 7, 2021

Resultant of two like parallel forces and impact of two similar unlike parallel forces on the resultant

2 Answers

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question