You are on page 1of 29

Lecture 3

THE EQUILIBRIUM MODEL

1.0 THE CONCEPT OF FORCE

A force may be a push or pull upon an object which exists as a result of an interaction with
another object. It can be either a contact force or a field force. A contact force involves
physical contact between two objects, such as kicking a ball or pushing a cart. A field
force, on the other hand, can exert a push or pull on an object even without physical
contact. One example of a field force is the gravitational pull of the Earth on an object.

The attractive force exerted by the Earth on an object is called the gravitational force,
����, a vector quantity. ���� is directed towards the center of the earth, and its
magnitude is called the weight. ���� can be evaluated using EQ 1 where �� is mass in
kilograms and �� is the acceleration due to gravity, 9.81 m/s2. The SI unit for force is
Newton (N) which is equivalent to 1 kg-m/s2.
= ����
���� (EQ 1)

Other examples of force are normal and tension forces. The normal force, ��, is the
force exerted by a surface to an object whenever the two are in contact. The direction of
�� is always upwards perpendicular to the surface (Fig 1a). Tension, ��, is a pulling
force that is exerted by a rope, string, chain, or cable on an object. Its direction is pointed
away from the object and lies along the direction of the string (Fig 2a).

(a) (b)

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 53 a

Figure 1. Different forces acting on an object – (a) normal and gravitational forces; and (b)
tension and gravitational forces
2.0 NEWTON’S FIRST LAW

Newton’s first law is referred to as the law of inertia. It states that:

“In the absence of external forces, an object at rest remains at rest


and an object in motion remains in motion with constant velocity.”

The tendency of an object to resist any attempt to change its velocity is called inertia. An
object with a greater mass has more inertia (more resistant to change in velocity) as
compared to an object with less mass.

2.1 NEWTON’S THIRD LAW

Newton’s third law states that:

“If two objects interact, the force exerted by


object A, ����, on object B is equal in
magnitude and opposite in direction to the
force exerted by object B, ����, on object A.”
���� = −����

Figure 2. Two objects A and B forming an


action-reaction pair of forces

2.2 CONSTRUCTING A FREE-BODY DIAGRAM

A free-body diagram (FBD) is an illustration that shows the relative magnitude and
direction of all forces acting upon an object in a given situation. Consider a block resting
on a smooth surface as shown in Fig 3a. Note that the block exerts a force to the surface,
���������������� ���� ���������� and, in accordance to the Newton’s third law, the
surface exerts a force of equal magnitude

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 54 a

but in exactly the opposite direction, ������������ ���� ��������������. As Earth’s


gravity pulls the block to its center, ����������ℎ ���� ����������, the block also
exerts the same magnitude of force pulling the Earth to its center, ������������ ����
��������ℎ. The diagram in Fig 3a can be translated to a force diagram, Fig 3b, by
considering only the forces exerted on the block. The force diagram can be further
reduced to a free-body diagram, Fig 3c, by replacing the block with a single point. The
construction of a free-body diagram is vital in the analysis of forces acting on a body.

(a) (b) (c) Figure 3. (a) A diagram showing all the forces present on a system comprised of a block
resting on a smooth surface, transformed to (b) a force diagram, and ultimately reduced to (c) a
free-body diagram (FBD).

3.0 STATIC EQUILIBRIUM

The first condition of equilibrium is when the sum of all forces (net force) acting on an
object is equal to zero. This condition is called the translational static equilibrium. The
second condition of equilibrium is when the sum of all moments (net moment) acting on
an object is equal to zero, and this is called rotational static equilibrium. When these
two conditions of equilibrium are satisfied, the object is said to be in complete static
equilibrium.

3.1 TRANSLATIONAL EQUILIBRIUM

An object is in translational equilibrium if the sum of the forces acting on it (the net force)
is zero as shown in EQ 2. Since the net force, ��, is a vector quantity, it follows that the
summation of its components ���� and ���� are also zero.

�� �� = 0
(EQ 2)

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 55 a

�� ���� = 0
�� ���� = 0

Only the condition of translational equilibrium applies when:


1. Concurrent forces, or forces applied on a single point, are acting upon the object; and 2. The
object can be modeled as a single dimensionless particle (particle model analysis). Otherwise, the
condition of rotational equilibrium must also be evaluated to determine if an object is in complete
equilibrium.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1 (strings, cables and wires)

As shown in Fig 4, given that the mass of the block �� is 20.0 kg, determine the (a)
tension on cable 1, (b) tension on cable 2, (c) tension on cable 3, and (d) tension on
cable 4.

Figure 4. Block of mass �� hanging from a series of cables

Follow these steps when analyzing particles in equilibrium:


1. Construct a free-body diagram (FBD). Choose a point with at most two unknown
forces.
2. Determine the �� and �� components of the forces present in the FBD
constructed. 3. Equate the summation of all components in �� to zero (�� ���� =
0) and the summation of all components in �� to zero (�� ���� = 0).
4. Solve for the unknown forces.

A free-body diagram can be created around two viable points – point A and around the
block with mass ��. Creating an FBD around point A would introduce three unknown
forces (��2, ��3 and ��4), while the FBD around the block would contain three forces
(��1, ��2, and ����) with only two unknowns since ���� can be determined from the
mass, ��, of the block. Always choose to create an FBD with less unknowns. Using the
equations presented for the
For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 56 a

equilibrium model, the analysis is only limited to determining two unknowns in a single
FBD. Considering these, the analysis of the given system (in Fig 4) would then have to
start with the construction of an FBD around the block.

To correctly create an FBD with vector


angles referred from the �� or �� axis, it
is vital to recall the congruency of
angles, particularly that of angles
formed by a transversal line as shown
in Fig 5. A transversal line is any line
that intersects two parallel lines,
forming several angles.
Figure 5. Angles formed by a transversal line

STEP 1. FBD Construction

FBD around the block:

Figure 6. FBD around the block Figure 7. Congruency of angles at cable 2

To easily determine the �� and �� components of vectors, it is essential that angles


defining the direction of the forces are drawn either from the �� axis or the �� axis. The
angles that define the direction of forces ��1 and ��2 (as shown in Fig 6) are drawn
based on the congruency of angles as shown in Fig 7.

STEP 2. Component Analysis


For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 57 a

Once a sound FBD has been established, component analysis is performed for all
forces identified. The components were derived based on the magnitude of the forces
and the angles that define its respective directions.

x-component y-component

� +��1 +��1
� ������ ������
1 ������ ������
30�� 30��

� −��2 +��2
� ������ ������
2 ������ ������
40�� 40��

� 0 −����


Solving for ����,


���� = �������� = 20.0 ���� (9.81 ��/��2)

���� = 196.20���� ∙ ��
2
�� = 196.20 ��

STEP 3. Summation of Forces to Zero

������ = 0

+��1 ������ ������ 30�� − ��2 ������ ������ 40�� + 0 = 0 (EQ 3)

������ = 0

+��1 ������ ������ 30�� + ��2 ������ ������ 40�� − 196.20 = 0 (EQ
4)

Recall the following methods, with examples, to solve two equations simultaneously:
(1) Elimination Method
One variable is eliminated to find the value of the other variable.

2�� + �� = 0 (���� ��)�� + 3�� = 5 (���� ��)

Multiply EQ B with -2 to eliminate x.

2�� + �� = 0 (���� ��) − 2�� − 6�� = −10 (���� �� × −2)


0 − 5�� = −10

−5�� = −10�� = −10


−5= 2
Solve for �� using either EQ A or EQ B when �� = 2.

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 58 a

2
2�� + �� = 02�� + 2 = 0�� = − 2= −1
(2) Substitution Method
One variable is expressed in terms of the other (i.e. y in terms of x)
and substituted in place of the other variable in the equation.

2�� + �� = 0 (���� ��)�� + 3�� = 5 (���� ��)

Get y in terms of x from EQ A.


2�� + �� = 0
�� = −2�� (���� ��)

Substitute EQ C in place of y in EQ B and solve for x.


�� + 3�� = 5�� + 3(−2��) = 5 − 5�� = 5�� = −1

Solve for y using either EQ A or EQ B when �� = −1.


2�� + �� = 02(−1) + �� = 0�� = 2

(3) Matrix Method using Scientific Calculators


Input values in a matrix following the formula
��2
��1�� + ��1�� ��
= = ��2
��1 [��1 ��1 ��1 ��2
��2 ��2 ��2]
��
+
2�� + �� = 0�� + 3�� = 5 [2 1 0 1 3 5 ]

�� = −1�� = 2

Follow these model-specific routes to access this function:


a. Casio FX-115ES PLUS (and similar): MODE → 5: EQN → 1:
anX+bnY=Cn → input the proper values in the matrix
b. Casio FX-991EX Classwiz (and similar): MENU → A: Equation/Func →
1: Simul Equation → Simul Equation Number of Unknowns? (input 2)
→ input the two equations
c. Sharp EL-W506X (and similar): MODE → 6: EQUATION → 0: 2-VLE
→ input values as defined
STEP 4. Solving for the unknowns.

Solving the two equations, EQ 3 and EQ 4, simultaneously,

+��1 ������ ������ 30�� − ��2 ������ ������ 40�� = 0


(���� 3) + ��1 ������ ������ 30�� + ��2
������ ������ 40�� = 196.20 (���� 4)

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 59 a

��1 = 128.06 ��

��2 = 172.54 ��

Repeat STEPS 1 to 4 to solve for ��3 and ��4 by constructing an FBD around

point A. STEP 1. FBD Construction

FBD around point A:

STEP 2. Component Analysis


x-component y-component

� +��2 −��2
� ������ ������
2 ������ ������
40�� 40��

� +��3 +��3
� ������ ������
3 ������ ������
45�� 45��

� −��4 0

4

STEP 3. Summation of Forces to Zero

������ = 0 + ��2 ������ ������ 40�� + ��3 ������ ������ 45�� −


��4 = 0��3 ������ ������ 45�� − ��4 = −��2 ������ ������ 40��
��3 ������ ������ 45�� − ��4 = −172.54(������ ������ 40��) (EQ 5)

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 60


a

������ = 0 − ��2 ������ ������ 40�� + ��3 ������

������ 45�� = 0��3 ������ ������ 45�� = ��2 ������ ������

40�� ��3 ������ ������ 45�� = 172.54(������ ������ 40��) (EQ


6)

STEP 4. Solving for the unknowns.

Using EQ 6 to solve for ��3,

��3 ������ ������ 45�� = 172.54(������ ������ 40��)��3


��
=172.54(������ ������ 40 )
��
������ ������ 45 ��3 = 186.92 ��

Solving for ��4 using EQ 5,

��3 ������ ������ 45�� − ��4 = −172.54(������ ������ 40��)��4 =


172.54(������ ������ 40��) + ��3 ������ ������ 45�� ��4 =
172.54(������ ������ 40��) + 186.92(������ ������ 45��)��4 =
243.08 ��
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2 (equilibrium involving an inclined plane)

A block resting on a plane inclined at an angle, ��, of 42ofrom the horizontal is being
held in place by a steel cable. The tension on the cable wire is 67.0 N.

Figure 8. Block on an inclined plane held in place by a steel cable.

a. Determine the normal force N and the force due to gravity ����.
b. What is the mass of the block in kilograms?

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 61 a

STEP 1. FBD Construction

The FBD around the block resting on the inclined plane is shown in Fig 9a. Notice that
both forces T and N lies in between two axes, while ���� lies directly on the −�� axis.
To simplify component analysis of objects on an inclined plane, the �� and �� reference
axes are shifted to ��′ and ��′ as shown in Fig 9b, where the shifted axis ��′ lies
parallel to the surface of the inclined plane and the shifted axis ��′ is perpendicular to
��′.
(a) (b)
Figure 9. (a) FBD of the block on the inclined plane shifts to (b) ��′ and ��′ references axes.

By shifting the reference axes to ��′ and ��′, T and N places directly on the ��′ and the
��′ reference axis respectively. On the other hand, ���� is now located in between two
axes −��′ and −��′. Notice that the angle that defines the direction of ���� from the
−��′ axis is equal to the angle of inclination, ��, of the plane, proving of which is shown
in Fig 10.

Figure 10. Proof that the angle of inclination, ��, of the plane is equal to angle ��.

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 62 a

Since �� and �� are both acute angles of a right triangle, it follows


that: �� + �� + 90�� = 180���� = 180�� −
90�� − ���� = 90�� − ��

Angles �� and �� forms a right angle.


�� + �� = 90���� = 90�� − ��
∴ �� = ��

STEP 2. Component Analysis

Refer to Fig 9b for the component analysis of the forces.


��′-compon ��′-compone
ent nt

� +�� 0

� 0 +��

� −���� −����
� ������ ������
� ������ ������
� 42�� 42��

STEP 3. Summation of Forces to Zero

������ = 0

�� − ���� ������ ������ 42�� = 0 (EQ 7)

������ = 0

�� − ���� ������ ������ 42�� (EQ 8)

STEP 4. Solving for the unknowns.

Solving for ���� using EQ 7,


�� − ���� ������ ������ 42�� = 0���� =��
��
������ ������ 42 =67.0
��
������ ������ 42 ���� = 100.13 ��

Solving for N using EQ 8,


�� = ���� ������ ������ 42�� = 100.13 ������ ������ 42�� �� = 74.41
��

To solve for the mass of the block, use ����.


���� = ����
3 ��
�� ��
9.81
=������=100.1
��2 ����
s�� = 10.21

SAMPLE PROBLEM 3 (equilibrium analysis of systems involving pulleys)

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 63 a

A concrete block A is kept from moving down a plane inclined at an angle, ��, 35ofrom the
horizontal by a 15.0-kg metal ball B attached to the block by a cable wire through a pulley
as shown in Fig 11.

Figure 11. Concrete block being held in place by a metal ball connected by a wire through a pulley.

(a) Create an FBD around the metal ball and determine the tension in the cable
wire. (b) What is the magnitude of the normal force N acting on block A?
(c) What mass of the concrete block A, in kg, is required to keep the meal ball B in

place? (a) The FBD around the ball is shown in Fig 12.

��-compone ��-compone
nt nt

� 0 +����
��

� 0 −������
��
��

Solving for ����,


������ = ������������ = 15.0 ���� (9.81 ��/��2)
������ = 147.15 ��
������ = 0���� − ������ = 0���� = ���������� = 147.15 ��

Figure 12. FBD around the


metal ball

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 64 a

(b) Note that a cable, wire, or string passing through a pulley retains its magnitude by
changes its direction. In the case of Fig 11, ���� = ����.

��′-compon ��′-compone
ent nt

� −���� 0

N 0 +��

� +������ −������
� ������ ������
� ������ 35 ������ 35

������′ = 0: −���� + ������ ������


������ 35 = 0������

=����
Figure 12. FBD around the

������ ������ 35 =147.15


wooden block
������ ������
= 179.64 �� 35 ������

������′ = 0: �� − ������ ������ ������ 25 = 0�� = ������ ������


������ 25 = 179.64 �� (������ ������ 25 )�� = 75.92 ��
(c) The mass of block A can be determined from ������ where

������ = ���������� =������

��=179.64 ��
�� 2
9.81 �� ���� = 18.31 ����

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 65 a

3.2 ROTATIONAL EQUILIBRIUM

An object is in rotational static equilibrium if the sum of all moments (net moment) acting
on the object is zero (EQ 9). Moment, ��, is a vector quantity that describes how much a
force acting on an object tends to make that object rotate. The resulting moment of a force
depends on how far a force is applied from the pivot (axis of rotation). The perpendicular
distance between the pivot and the force is called the lever arm, ��. The moment, ��, is
the product of the force, ��, and lever arm, �� (EQ 10). The concept of rotational
equilibrium is applied on objects that cannot be modelled as a particle.

�� �� = 0
(EQ 9)
�� = ����
(EQ 10)

The conditions of translational equilibrium and rotational equilibrium are both considered
when the forces acting on an object are applied at different points (i.e., non-concurrent
forces), and, thus, the object cannot be modelled as a single particle.

Consider the object in Fig 13 with forces ��1, ��2 and ��3 applied as shown and Point O
as the pivot (body is free to rotate about Point O).

Figure 13. Non-concurrent forces applied on an object.

The magnitude of the moment contributed by a force is calculated using EQ 10, while the
direction is whether the force tends to rotate the object clockwise or counterclockwise.
Note that the moment is generated only by a force that is perpendicular to the lever arm. If
the force is applied at a non-perpendicular angle, then only the perpendicular component
of that force will contribute to the moment. As shown in Fig 13, the resulting moment of
��1, ��2
and ��3 are as follows:

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 66 a

��1 = ��1��1, clockwise


��2 = ��2��2, counterclockwise
��3 = 0 because ��3 is applied along the axis of rotation, thus ��3 = 0

The object will remain in rotational static equilibrium as long as ���� = ��1 + ��2 +
��3 = 0. Note the following sign convention used for the direction of moment: +��: If the
force applied tends to rotate the object counterclockwise about the pivot −��: If the
force applied tends to rotate the object clockwise about the pivot

Now, consider the given force diagram of a seesaw in equilibrium (Fig 14). If we assume
that the pivot is at the center, then the lever arm of ��1 and ��2 are ��1 and ��2,
respectively.
Figure 14. A seesaw in static equilibrium

The resulting moments due to each force are ��1 = +��1��1 and ��2 = −��2��2,
since ��1 tends to rotate the beam of the seesaw counterclockwise, while clockwise for
��2. The force, ��, in Fig 14 pertains to the normal reactive force exerted by the pin
support on the beam, which is also called a support reaction. Note that all pinned
supports exert a reaction force along the x- and y-axis. However, since all external forces
in the given illustration are just along the y-axis, then ������ = 0 will show that the
horizontal reactive force is just zero. Since the pivot was assumed to be at the center of
the beam, then ���� = 0 because ���� = 0. Other types of support and their
corresponding support reactions are shown in Table 1.

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 67 a

Table 1. Types of supports and their reactions


Type of support Symbol Reaction Force

Roller (simple,
movable, sliding)
● Vertical reaction only

Pinned (hinged)

● Vertical reaction
● Horizontal reaction

Fixed

● Vertical reaction
● Horizontal reaction
● Moment reaction

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 68 a

SAMPLE PROBLEM 4

A seesaw consisting of a 1-kg board and length of 4 m balances Tony and Steve, as
shown in Fig 15. The support is under the center of gravity of the board, and Tony, with
a mass of 30 kg, is seated 2 m from the support.

Figure 15. Seesaw in equilibrium

(a) Determine the distance from the support at which Steve (m = 35 kg) must sit
to balance the system at rest.
(b) Find the magnitude of the upward force exerted by the support on the board.
Step 1. FBD construction

The FBD of the seesaw is shown in Fig 16. Note that all objects with a given mass (Tony,
Steve, and board) will exert a downward force on the board due to its weight. ���� is the
reactive force of the support on the board; thus, it has an upward direction and located at
the point of contact with the support (Point O).

Figure 16. FBD of seesaw in Sample Problem 4

Step 2. Summation of Moments to Zero

Before writing the summation of moments, the point of rotation or pivot must be first
determined. The axis of rotation is arbitrary because if the system is in rotational
equilibrium,

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 69 a

the net moment is zero about any axis in the system. However, the choice of the pivot
must be done carefully such that it will simplify the given problem. Remember, forces that
are applied on the axis of rotation do not contribute to the net moment (�� = 0).

Summation of Moments at Points O, A and B


At point O (������������ = ������ = 0): ���������� − ������������ = 0
������������1 − ��������������2 = 0 (EQ 11)

At point A ( ���������� = 0): ������ − ������������ − ������������ = 0


������1 − ��������������1 − ������������(��1 + ��2) = 0 (EQ 12)

At point B (������������ = 0): −������ + ������������ + ���������� = 0


−������2 + ��������������2 − ����������(��1 + ��2) = 0 (EQ 13)

Step 3. Solve for the unknowns

(a) Distance of Steve from support (��2)


To solve for ��2, the net moment about point O must be used (EQ 11) because, since the
reactive force (����) is also unknown, choosing either point A or B as the pivot will result
to two unknowns and, thus, making the problem more complicated. Using EQ 11 and
setting �� = ����, we can solve for ��2:

������������1 − ��������������2 = 0

��������������1 = ����������������2

��2 =��������������1

��������������=(30 ����)(2 ��)

(35 ����)= 1.71 ��

(b) Reactive force at the support (����)


To solve for ����, either EQ 12 or EQ 13 may be used. Using EQ 12,

������1 − ��������������1 − ������������(��1 + ��2) = 0


������1 − ����������������1 − ��������������(��1 + ��2) = 0

���� =����������������1 + ��������������(��1 + ��2)


��1
�� 2
+ (35 ����) (9.81 �� ) (2 +
���� =
�� 2 1.71 ��) 2 ��= 646.72 ��
(1 ����) (9.81 �� ) (2 ��)
For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 70 a

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 71 a

SAMPLE PROBLEM 5

A 15-kg beam supported at both ends as shown in Fig 17 has a 10-kg hanging mass
located 1.0 m from the pin support. Calculate the reactions at each support.

Figure 17. Simply supported beam

Step 1. FBD construction

The FBD of the simply supported beam is shown in Fig 18. All objects with a mass will
have a downward force, while the direction of the reaction forces for each support is
arbitrarily assigned. Note that if the value obtained for the reaction force is negative, it
means that the direction should be pointed at the opposite direction. Based on Table 1,
the pin support will have both vertical and horizontal reaction forces, while the roller
support will only have a vertical reaction.
Figure 18. FBD of simply supported beam in Sample Problem 5

Step 2. Summation of forces along x-axis

Along the horizontal direction, there is no other force applied except �� ��,��. Thus,
getting the summation of forces along the x-axis will show:

������ = 0: ����,�� = 0

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 72 a

Step 3. Summation of forces along y-axis

Next, we do a summation of forces along the y-axis.

������ = 0: ����,�� + ���� − ����,�������� − ����,�������� = 0

Note that,
�� 2
����,�������� = ������������ = (10 ����) (9.81 �� ) = 98.1 ��
�� 2
����,�������� = ������������ = (15 ����) (9.81 �� ) = 147.15 ��

Therefore,
������ = 0: ����,�� + ���� − 98.1 �� − 147.15 �� = 0

������ = 0: ����,�� + ���� − 245.25 �� = 0 (EQ 14)

Step 4. Summation of moments at point A (pin support)

You can choose either the pin support or roller support to do the summation of moments.
The goal here is to eliminate one unknown to determine the other.

������ = 0: − ���������� − ���������� + ������ = 0


������ = 0: − ����,������������������ − ����,������������������ +
���������� = 0
������ = 0: − (98.1 ��)(1.0 ��) − (147.15 ��)(2.5 ��) + ����(5.0 ��) = 0

Solving for ����,


���� =(98.1 ��)(1.0 ��) + (147.15 ��)(2.5 ��)
5.0 ��

���� = 93.2 ��

Step 5. Solve for ����,��

Using EQ 14 and the calculated value for ����, solve for ����,��

����,�� + ���� − 245.25 �� = 0

����,�� = 245.25 �� − 93.2 ��

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 73 a

����,�� = 152.05 ��
For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 74 a

SUMMARY OF EQUATIONS
Gravitational Force
���� = ����

Translational Static Equilibrium


�� �� = 0

�� ���� = 0

�� ���� = 0

Rotational Static Equilibrium


�� �� = 0

�� = ����

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 75 a

BOARD PROBLEM
1) A block resting on a plane inclined at an angle �� 32ofrom the horizontal is being held
in place by steel cables a, b, and c as shown in the figure below. The tension in cable
b is 80.0 N. Note that cable a is parallel to the surface of the incline and that cable b is
perfectly horizontal.

(a) Create an FBD around point D and determine the


tension in wire a and wire c.
(b) Create an FBD around the block and determine the
normal force N and the force due to gravity ����.
(c) What is the mass of the block in kilograms?

2) The system in the figure below is in equilibrium. A 45.0-kg beam that is hinged on the
floor is also held at rest by the cable. A hanging mass of 225 kg is placed at the end of
the beam. Calculate:
(a) The tension in the cable; and
(b) The reaction forces exerted on the beam by the hinge.

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 76 a

Name: Student Number: Instructor: Section:


PRACTICE & PROBLEM-SOLVING EXERCISES (PPE)
# 3: THE EQUILIBRIUM MODEL
Copy and fill-out the header of the PPE for each page of your solution. Present neatly the
organized solutions to the following answered problems. Box the final answers. Copy and
sign the Thomasian Honor Code in the last page of your solution.

1. A Christmas light hangs on a series of strings as shown in the figure below. The tension
on string ��, ����, is 0.48 N.

(a) What is the tension on string b? (Ans: 0.22 N)


(b) What is the tension on string c? (Ans: 0.35 N)
(c) What is the tension on string d? (Ans: 0.37 N)
(d) What is the mass of the Christmas light, m, in grams? (Ans: 34 grams)

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 77 a

Name: Student Number: Instructor: Section:


PRACTICE & PROBLEM-SOLVING EXERCISES (PPE)
# 3: THE EQUILIBRIUM MODEL
Copy and fill-out the header of the PPE for each page of your solution. Present neatly the
organized solutions to the following answered problems. Box the final answers. Copy and
sign the Thomasian Honor Code in the last page of your solution.

2. Block B hangs on a cable connected block A through a pulley as shown in the figure
below. The two blocks are in equilibrium. Block B has a mass of 2.5 kg and the angle
of the incline �� is 35o.

(a) What is the tension on the cable? (Ans: 24.5 N)


(b) What is the mass of block A? (Ans: 4.36 kg)

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 78 a

Name: Student Number: Instructor: Section:


PRACTICE & PROBLEM-SOLVING EXERCISES (PPE)
# 3: THE EQUILIBRIUM MODEL
Copy and fill-out the header of the PPE for each page of your solution. Present neatly the
organized solutions to the following answered problems. Box the final answers. Copy and
sign the Thomasian Honor Code in the last page of your solution.

3. Two masses are attached to a uniform meter stick as shown in the figure below. The
masses of m1 and m2 are as given and the meter stick weighs 150 g. A force F with
unknown magnitude is applied on one end of the stick at an angle of 30° to balance
the system.

(a) What is the magnitude of F? (Ans: 6.21 N)


(b) What are the reaction forces on the support? (Ans: Rx = 5.38 N; Ry = 5.80 N)

For the exclusive use of UST Faculty of Engineering students 79 a

You might also like