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Resultant: meaning, definitions and examples

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resultant

 

[ rɪˈzʌltənt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

physics term

Resultant refers to the vector that is the sum of two or more vectors. In physics, it is often used to analyze forces acting on an object. The resultant vector provides information about the overall direction and magnitude of the combined forces. It can be determined through graphical methods, like the parallelogram law, or mathematically by adding the components of the vectors. This concept is essential in physics and engineering for studying motion, dynamics, and equilibrium.

Synonyms

consequence, outcome, result

Examples of usage

  • The resultant force acted on the object was 10 Newtons.
  • Using vector addition, we calculated the resultant of all the forces.
  • The resultant displacement from point A to point B is crucial for the analysis.

Translations

Translations of the word "resultant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 resultante

🇮🇳 परिणामी

🇩🇪 Resultant

🇮🇩 hasil

🇺🇦 результант

🇵🇱 rezultat

🇯🇵 結果ant

🇫🇷 résultant

🇪🇸 resultante

🇹🇷 sonuç

🇰🇷 결과

🇸🇦 نتيجة

🇨🇿 výsledek

🇸🇰 výsledok

🇨🇳 结果

🇸🇮 rezultant

🇮🇸 niðurstaða

🇰🇿 нәтиже

🇬🇪 შედეგი

🇦🇿 nəticə

🇲🇽 resultante

Etymology

The term 'resultant' originates from the Latin word 'resultare', which means 'to spring back' or 'to rebound'. This Latin word is derived from 're-' meaning 'back' and 'saltare' meaning 'to leap'. The usage of the term in a mathematical and scientific sense became more prominent during the 19th century as the study of vectors emerged. In mathematics, defining a resultant vector helped in quantifying physical phenomena more accurately. Over time, 'resultant' has been adopted across various fields, including physics and engineering, emphasizing its significance in understanding interactions and outcomes within systems.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,788 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.