In a two-dimensional tug-of-war, Alex, Betty, and Charles pull horizontally on an automobile tire at the angles shown in the overhead view of the figure. The tire remains stationary in spite of the three pulls. Alex pulls with force of magnitude 226 N, and Charles pulls with force of magnitude 168 N. Note that the direction of Charles' force is not given. What is the magnitude of Betty's force?
2 answers
Betty's force is called the equilibrant. The vector sum of the three forces is zero. Write that in vector form and solve.
You must set up a 3 dimenional FBD listing al the vector forces. Solve from there.