Activity 2.1.1 Calculating Force Vectors
Introduction
If guy wires are used to stabilize a tower, what is the minimum number of wires necessary?
Imagine what would happen if you only used one or two wires. The guy wires work together so
that the tower does not fall in any direction. As long as there are no external forces, each of the
wires should be experiencing an equal amount of tension. The tension in each guy wire can be
expressed as a vector force. It is important that values are given for each force so that
engineers can make informed decisions about the necessary strength of guy wires and their
support mechanisms.
Procedure
In this activity you will calculate force vectors.
5. What is the magnitude of vector B?
6. What is the direction of vector B relative to the X axis?
7. What is the sense of vector B?
8. What directions will BX and BY (the component vectors of B)
be going? How does this relate to the sense of B?
1. What is the magnitude of vector A?
2. What is the direction of vector A relative to the X axis?
3. What is the sense of vector A?
4. What directions will AX and AY (the component vectors of
A) be going? How does this relate to the sense of A?
