The force on a cutting tool are 2600N vertically downward and 2100 horizontal. Determine the resultant force acting on the tool and the angle at which it acts.

Answer & Explanation:

"The force on a cutting tool are 2600N vertically downward" sounds a little unusual, since most of the time, the tool is above the object to be cut in such a way that the force acting "ON the tool" is upwards. We will accept the statement as it is (downwards).

Since the two forces are acting at right angles to each other, the resultant can be found using Pythagoras theorem, namely

resultant = sqrt (2600^2+2100^2) = 3342 N (approx.)

The angle can be found using the arcTangent function, or

angle = arcTangent (2600/2100) = 51.07 degrees below the horizontal, since the 2600 N force is acting downwards.