ASSIGNMENT 1

Essentials of Mechanical Engineering

1.
2.

Define a couple-moment and list its characteristics.

Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant of the following set of forces shown below

3.

Calculate the tensile force in the cables AB and BC as shown in Fig. below. Assume the pulley is
frictionless.

4.

Two rollers of the same diameter are supported by an inclined plane and a vertical wall as shown in
figure below. The upper and the lower rollers are respectively 200N and 250N in weight. Assuming
smooth surfaces, find the reactions induced at the points of support A, B, C and D, respectively.
Find the magnitude of the two forces, such that if they act at right angles, their resultant is 10 N. But if
they Act at 60, their resultant is 13 N.
A horizontal line PQRS is 12 m long, where PQ = QR = RS = 4 m. Forces of 1000 N, 1500 N, 1000 N
and 500 N act at P, Q, R and S respectively with downward direction. The lines of action of these forces
make angles of 90, 60, 45 and 30 respectively with PS. Find the magnitude, direction and position of
the resultant force.
Two unlike parallel forces of magnitude 400 N and 100 N are acting in such a way that their lines of
action are 150 mm apart. Determine the magnitude of the resultant force and the point at which it acts.
A force of 15 N is applied perpendicular to the edge of a door 0.8 m wide as shown in Fig. (a). Find the
moment of the force about the hinge.

5.
6.

7.
8.

If this force is applied at an angle of 60 to the edge of the same door, as shown in Fig. (b), find the moment
of this force.
9.

A uniform plank ABC of weight 30 N and 2 m long is supported at one end A and at a point B 1.4 m
from A as shown in Fig.

Find the maximum weight W, that can be placed at C, so that the plank does not topple.
10. An electric light fixture weighting 15 N hangs from a point C, by two strings AC and BC. The string AC
is inclined at 60 to the horizontal and BC at 45 to the horizontal as shown in Fig.

11. A smooth sphere of weight W is supported by a string fastened to a point A on the smooth vertical wall,
the other end is in contact with point B on the wall as shown in Fig.

If length of the string AC is equal to radius of the sphere, find tension (T) in the string and reaction of
the wall.
12. Two smooth spheres each of radius 100 mm and weight 100 N, rest in a horizontal channel having vertical
walls, the distance between which is 360 mm. Find the reactions at the points of contacts A, B, C and D
shown in Fig.