Mechanics UG (2020)

Problem Set-I:
The resultant of P and Q is R. If Q be doubled R is doubled if Q be reversed, R is also
doubled. Show that 𝑃2 : 𝑄 2 : 𝑅 2 = 2: 3: 2.

Two forces act at a point and are such that if the direction of one is reversed, the direction
of the resultant is turned through a right angle. Prove that the two forces must be equal in
magnitude.

The resultant of two forces P and Q act at a certain angle is X and that of P, R acting at the
same angle is also X; the resultant of Q, R acting at the same angle is Y. Prove that
𝑄𝑅(𝑄 + 𝑅)
𝑃 = (𝑋 2 + 𝑄𝑅)1/2 = 2 .
𝑄 + 𝑅2 − 𝑌2
Prove also if 𝑃 + 𝑄 + 𝑅 = 0, 𝑌 = 𝑋.

Two forces P, Q act at a point along two straight lines making an angle 𝛼 with each other
and their resultant is R. Two other forces 𝑃′ , 𝑄 ′ acting along the same two lines have a
resultant 𝑅 ′ . Prove that the line of action of the resultant is
(𝑃𝑃′ + 𝑄𝑄 ′ + 𝑃𝑄 ′ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼 + 𝑃′ 𝑄 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼)
𝑐𝑜𝑠 { }.
𝑅𝑅 ′

Two forces P, Q acting on a particle are inclined to each other at an angle𝛼. If forces P, Q
be interchanged in position, show that the resultant will be turned through an angle𝜑, where
𝑃−𝑄 𝛼
𝜑 = 2 𝑡𝑎𝑛 [ 𝑡𝑎𝑛 ] .
𝑃+𝑄 2
Also prove that
2𝑃𝑄 + (𝑃2 + 𝑄 2 ) 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜑 = 2 .
𝑃 + 𝑄 2 + 2𝑃𝑄 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼

The greatest and least magnitudes of the resultant of two forces of constant magnitudes
are F and G. Prove that when forces act an angle2𝛼, the resultant in magnitude is equal to
√𝐹 2 𝒄𝒐𝒔2 𝛼 + 𝐺 2 𝒔𝒊𝒏2 𝛼

If the greatest possible resultant of two forces P and Q is n times the least, show that the
angle 𝛼 between them when their resultant is half their sum is given by
(𝑛2 + 2)
𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝛼 =
2(1 − 𝑛2 )

Equal forces P act at a point parallel to the sides of a triangle ABC taken in order the same
way around. Prove that the resultant R is given by 𝑅 2 = 𝑃2 (3 − 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴 − 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐵 − 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐶).

Forces P1, P2 and P3 act on a particle and are parallel to the sides of an equilateral triangle
in order, show that their resultant is √𝑃12 + 𝑃22 + 𝑃32 − 𝑃1 𝑃2 − 𝑃2 𝑃3 − 𝑃3 𝑃1