Question

If the resolved force or the force which you get as the answer after solving the question is negative, then what does this implies?

(a) The force is in the reverse direction w.r.t the direction set in the free body diagram

(b) The force is not in the reverse direction w.r.t the direction set in the free body diagram

(c) The force component is not possible

(d) The force is possible, but in the direction perpendicular to the resultant force

This question was posed to me in an interview for internship.

This question is from Work topic in portion Principle of Virtual Work of Engineering Mechanics

Answer 1

The correct option is (a) The force is in the reverse direction w.r.t the direction set in the free body diagram

Explanation: The negative sign implies things in the opposite manner. If the force is coming negative this doesn’t mean that it is impossible. But it means that the force is in the opposite direction w.r.t the direction set by you in the free body diagram.