BMCG1113 Statics

3 Equilibrium of a Particle
Masni-Azian Akiah, PhD
010-371 7277
masni.azian@utem.edu.my
 TEACHING PLAN
WEEK CHAPTER REMARK WEEK CHAPTER REMARK
1 Chapter 1: Maulidur Rasul 9 Chapter 6:
General Principles (9/10) Structural Analysis
10
Assignment
Chapter 2:
Force Vectors 11
12 Chapter 7: Krismas
2 Friction (25/12)
Chapter 3:
Equilibrium of a Particle 13 New Year
(1/1)
14 Chapter 8: Quiz 3
3 Chapter 4: Deepavali Centre of Gravity and
(24/10) Due submission
Force System Resultants Centroid
of assignment
4 Quiz 1 15
5 Chapter 5: 16 Study Week
Equilibrium of a Rigid
6 Body Quiz 2

7
EXAM 17-18
FINAL
8 Mid-Semester Break
EXAM
EQUILIBRIUM OF A PARTICLE

 Condition for the Equilibrium of a Particle

 The Free-Body Diagram
 Coplanar Force Systems
 Three-Dimensional Force Systems
Condition for the Equilibrium of a Particle
F3
The particle is in equilibrium when the
resultant of all forces acting on the
particle is ZERO.

𝑭𝑭𝑹𝑹 = � 𝑭𝑭 = 𝟎𝟎

F2 This condition
F1
satisfied the Newton’s
1st law of motion

In equilibrium, the particle is

in STATIC state.
Condition for the Equilibrium of a Particle

Example of an equilibrium system

180° 5N
Two forces acting on the pin, in the same magnitude
but opposite direction will create an equilibrium
system (NO RESULTANT FORCE)
5N

A car moving at constant velocity.

The Free-Body Diagram

• Consider a situation of a man pulling a box

tied onto the string. The whole situation is
referred as the system.

• These system consists of three main

components which is
(1) the man itself,
(2) the string, and
(3) the box.

• Each of these component are interconnected

to one another (ie. Box connected to string,
string connected to the man).
The Free-Body Diagram

Free-Body Diagram
Representation of the FORCES acting on the
BODY which we want to study.

In this case, the BODY can either be:

(1) the man, OR
(2) the string, OR
(3) the box.

The free-body diagram is constructed by

‘free-ing’ up the BODY so that we can analyse
the FORCES acting on the body. The free-up
BODY is taken to be the PARTICLE in this case.
The Free-Body Diagram
The Free-Body Diagram
Example
Consider the system shown. Draw the free-body diagram of:
(a) The sphere
(b) The cord CE
(c) The knot C
 Coplanar and 3-Dimensional Force Systems
F3
F3x We can simplify the calculation process
by resolving the forces in coplanar
F3y
directions (x- and y- direction).

In equilibrium:

F1x F2x � 𝑭𝑭𝒙𝒙 = 𝟎𝟎

F2
F2y � 𝑭𝑭𝒚𝒚 = 𝟎𝟎
F1
F1y
� 𝑭𝑭𝒛𝒛 = 𝟎𝟎
Coplanar and 3-Dimensional Force Systems

Example
Determine the magnitude and direction θ of 𝐹𝐹 so
that the particle is in equilibrium.
Coplanar and 3-Dimensional Force Systems

Example
Determine the tension in the cables in order to support the
100-kg crate in the equilibrium position shown.
Coplanar and 3-Dimensional Force Systems

Example
Determine the maximum mass of the crate so that the
tension developed in any cable does not exceeded 3 kN.
 TRY THIS!

Draw the free-body diagram Draw the free-body diagram

of the rock climber abseiling to determine the forces
and pauses for rest. subjected to the ladder.
 TRY THIS!

Draw the free-body diagram of the tug of war game adapted from the “Squid Game. What makes their
technique special from the engineering mechanics point of view? Work in a group of 3, submit your findings /
idea in ulearn before our next lesson. We will discuss in the next class.