Class 9 > Unit # 04: Turning Effect of Forces > Head to Tail Rule Vector Addition

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Turning Effect of Forces - Head-to-Tail Rule

Q.2 Define resultant of forces and describe graphical method (Head to tail rule) to find resultant of forces.

Resultant Vector

"A single force that has the same effect as the combined effect of all the individual forces to be added is called the resultant force."

Graphical Method (Head to Tail Rule)

This method is used for the graphical addition of vector quantities such as forces. In this method, the head-to-tail rule of vector addition is systematically applied.

1. Step 1: Choose a suitable scale according to the magnitudes of the forces.
2. Step 2: Draw all the force vectors (e.g., vectors $\vec{A}$ and $\vec{B}$) as directed line segments according to the chosen scale, respecting their magnitudes and directions.

3. Step 3: Take any vector as the first vector and draw the next vector in such a way that its tail coincides with the head of the previous vector. If the number of vectors is more than two, continue this process sequentially until the last vector is reached.

4. Step 4: Draw a straight line from the tail of the first vector to the head of the last vector, with an arrowhead pointing towards the head of the last vector. This closing vector represents the resultant vector ($\vec{R} = \vec{A} + \vec{B}$).

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