Posted by bobby on .
Four identical masses of 3.4 kg each are located at the corners of a square with 1.5 m sides. What is the net force on any one of the masses?
WEll, figure the force from any corner. That same magnitude force acts at the other corner, 90 degrees, which when added to the force from the first corner, gives a force of sqrt2 * magnitude of the original force (prove that), along the diagonal direction. Finally, add that to the froce from the opposite corner, (1/2 the first force), in the same direction, so you should get first force *(.5+sqrt2) as the net force, along the direction of the diagonal. YOu should do all the math to prove this.