Hibbeler Statics 14e: Problem 2-115 Page 1 of 1

Problem 2-115
Determine the magnitude of the projection of the force F1 along cable AC.

Solution

Write the position vectors to the points A, B, and C.

rA = h2, −3, 3i m

rB = h0, 3, 0i m

rC = h−2, 3, 4i m

The unit vector in the direction from A to B is

 
rB − rA h−2, 6, −3i 2 6 3
ûAB = =p = − , ,− .
|rB − rA | (−2)2 + (6)2 + (−3)2 7 7 7

The unit vector in the direction from A to C is

 
rC − rA h−4, 6, 1i 4 6 1
ûAC = =p = − √ , √ , √ .
|rC − rA | (−4)2 + (6)2 + (1)2 53 53 53
Write the force F1 acting along cable AB.
 
2 6 3
F1 = F1 ûAB = 70 − , , − N = h−20, 60, −30i N
7 7 7
Take the dot product of F1 with ûAC to find the component of F1 along cable AC.
 
4 6 1 410
F1 · ûAC = h−20, 60, −30i · − √ , √ , √ N= √ N
53 53 53 53
Therefore, the magnitude of the projection of the force F1 along cable AC is
410
|F1 · ûAC | = √ N ≈ 56.3 N.
53

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