Answer:
The resultant of 5N due West and 5N due South is a force of 5√2 N at an angle of 45 degrees south of west.
Explanation:
To find the resultant of two forces acting in opposite directions, we need to consider both the magnitudes and directions of the forces. In this case, we have a 5N force acting due West and another 5N force acting due South. These forces are perpendicular to each other, forming a right-angled triangle. Using the Pythagorean theorem, we can calculate the magnitude of the resultant force as sqrt((5N)^2 + (5N)^2) = sqrt(25 + 25) = sqrt(50) = 5√2 N.
To determine the direction of the resultant force, we can use trigonometry. The tangent of the angle formed between the resultant force and the due West force is given by tanθ = Opposite/Adjacent = 5N/5N = 1. Therefore, the angle θ is 45 degrees. The resultant force is 5√2 N at an angle of 45 degrees south of west.
In summary, the resultant of 5N due West and 5N due South is a force of 5√2 N at an angle of 45 degrees south of west. By understanding the components and utilizing vector addition techniques, we can accurately determine the resultant force in both magnitude and direction.
