Two forces of magnitude 20 N and 10 N act at a point then which one of the following cannot be their possible sum?
Correct answer: C. 35 N
- A. 30 N
- B. 10 N
- C. 35 N
- D. 15 N
Explanation
The resultant force of two vectors can range from the absolute difference to the absolute sum of their magnitudes, depending on their relative direction. For forces of 20 N and 10 N, the possible resultant can range from 10 N (when acting in opposite directions) to 30 N (when acting in the same direction). Therefore, 35 N exceeds this range and cannot be a resultant of these two forces. The other options (10 N, 15 N, and 30 N) all fall within the possible range for the resultant force.
This question appeared on the ETEA MDCAT 2012 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.
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About Addition of Vectors
Vector addition combines directed quantities using the head-to-tail, parallelogram and component methods. Work includes finding the resultant magnitude and direction for two or more vectors, resolving vectors into perpendicular components, and distinguishing vector addition from scalar addition, where direction has no role.
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