A particle is acted on by 12 N east and 5 N north. Draw a labelled head-to-tail triangle to determine the third force for equilibrium, including magnitude and direction. Explain why reversing only the closing arrow destroys the construction.

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Closing force has components (−12,−5) N: magnitude 13 N and direction 22.6° south of west. Reversing it gives the resultant of the first two rather than their balancing force. Draw 12 N east then 5 N north to a stated scale. Draw the third arrow from the last head back to the original tail. Calculate √(12²+5²)=13 N. Direction tan⁻¹(5/12)=22.6° south of west. Explain that equilibrium requires zero vector sum and a closed arrow sequence.

Construct a balancing force triangle

A particle is acted on by 12 N east and 5 N north. Draw a labelled head-to-tail triangle to determine the third force for equilibrium, including magnitude and direction. Explain why reversing only the closing arrow destroys the construction.

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