composition of forces

American  

noun

Mechanics.

1. the union or combination of two or more forces into a single force.

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composition of forces British  

noun

1. the combination, by vector algebra, of two or more forces into a single equivalent force (the resultant)

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Etymology

Origin of composition of forces

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

Every organism, and each of its parts, is the resultant of innumerable motions, a composition of forces.

From The Religious Sentiment Its Source and Aim: A Contribution to the Science and Philosophy of Religion by Brinton, Daniel Garrison

But a few minutes' calm thought would teach any one familiar with the composition of forces, that an attempt at the imitation of a bird's flight must be a failure in man.

From Ancient Faiths And Modern A Dissertation upon Worships, Legends and Divinities by Inman, Thomas

The law of falling bodies disclosed by Galileo; that of the composition of forces also disclosed by Galileo; and that of centrifugal force found out by Huyghens—all of them generalisations of terrestrial physics.

From Essays on Education and Kindred Subjects Everyman's Library by Spencer, Herbert

The most frequent and useful type is that of the "elementary law,"—that of the composition of forces, that of gravitation, of refraction, and the like.

From Memories and Studies by James, Henry

First there is heterogeneity among progenitors which "generates new deviations by composition of forces"; in other words new patterns arise from the mingling of diverse hereditary contributions in fertilisation.

From Herbert Spencer by Thomson, J. Arthur (John Arthur)