Question

Question #72245

Answer 1

Greatest: 17N
Least: 7N

Explanation:

Forces are vectors, with direction and magnitude. The components of the magnitude that point in the same direction will add to / reinforce each other and the components in opposite directions will take from / reduce each other.

These forces will result in the greatest force when they are oriented in exactly the same direction. In this case, the resultant force will simply be the addition of the constituent forces: `|12N+5N|= 17N`.

They will result in the least force when they are oriented in exactly opposite directions. In this case, the resultant force will be the difference between the consituent forces: `|12N-5N|=7N`. The absolute value signs are there because positive/negatives indicate direction and magnitude is undirected. The equation above is equivalent to `|5N-12N|=|-7N|=7N`.