Resolution Of Forces - GCSE Physics Definition

Resolution of forces is the process of breaking down a single force into two or more smaller forces that are acting at an angle to each other, which together have the same effect as the original force. This is useful when analysing situations where objects are pushed or pulled in different directions. For instance, if a force is acting diagonally, it can be split into horizontal and vertical forces. This makes it easier to understand and solve problems in physics. By using simple trigonometry, you can find out how strong each of these smaller forces are.