In twodimensions, a particle may be considered as existing and being able to move around two-dimensional space rather than in a single straight line (1D)
This 2D space is called a plane – so you may see the Oxy plane mentioned
The directions of the two dimensions are chosen so that they are perpendicular to each other
The two directions are usually
horizontal and vertical, or
parallel and perpendicular to an inclined plane
What is the resultant force in 2D and an unbalanced force in 2D?
The resultantforce in 2D is the sumofforces acting on a particle but this will now need to be considered in two parts – one for each direction
An unbalancedforce is a force acting on a particle that whereby one or both parts are not cancelled by another force acting in the opposite direction
So a non-zero resultant force will be non-zero in at leastone of the two dimensions, is therefore unbalanced and the particle will accelerate
What does equilibrium in 2D mean?
In two dimensions a particle is in equilibrium if the resultantforce acting on it is zero
For example, if the two dimensions involved are the horizontal and vertical directions, a particle will be in equilibrium if any forces acting left are balanced by any forces acting rightand any forces acting up are balanced by any forces acting down
When a particle has several forces (at least 3 – have a think as to why!) acting on it – and it is in equilibrium – the forces can be drawn “nose-to-tail” such that they form a polygon
Worked Example
(a)Write down the resultant forces acting on the particle in both the horizontal and vertical directions.
Exam Tip
Fnet is often used for resultantforce in equations.
Sketching diagrams, or adding to any given in a question, can help you to understand a problem and pick up some marks.