Velammal Engineering college Engineering Mechanics – Two marks question bank Version - Draft

Civil Engineering Dept. Compiled - N.Sampath

Date - 18/05/12

Unit I

• Define Rigid body

A body whose deformations are negligible or ignored for the purpose of formulating equilibrium
equations, is said to be rigid body.

• Define particle

A body whose dimensions are negligible when compared with the distances or the length involved with
it’s motion is called a particle.

• Distinguish Statics and dynamics

Statics Dynamics
Study of distribution and effect of forces on rigid Study of motion of rigid bodies and their
bodies which are rest and remain at rest correlation with the forces causing them
The forces or displacements do not vary with time Forces or displacements vary with time

• Distinguish kinetics and kinematics

Kinetics kinematics
Study of body in motion, considering forces that Study of body in motion, without considering
causes motion forces that causes motion
Study include forces on body, mass of body and Study include geometry of motion, velocity,
motion acceleration and time

• State parallelogram law of forces

If two forces acting simultaneously at a point be represented in magnitude and direction by the two
adjacent sides of a parallogram ( P and Q), then the resultant of these two forces is represented in
magnitude and direction by the diagonal of that parallogram originating from that point ( R).

Q
R

• State polygon law of forces

If a number of concurrent forces acting simultaneously on a particle are represented in magnitude and
direction by the sides of polygon taken in order, then the resultant of this system of forces is
represented by the closing side of the polygon in the opposite order

F2 F3
F1

F4
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R
Velammal Engineering college Engineering Mechanics – Two marks question bank Version - Draft
Civil Engineering Dept. Compiled - N.Sampath
Date - 18/05/12

• State triangular law of forces

If two concurrent forces acting simultaneously on a particle are represented in magnitude and direction
by the sides of a triangle taken in order, then the resultant of this system of forces is represented by the
closing side of the triangle in the opposite order
R Q

• State Principle of transmissibility P

If a force acts at any point on a rigid body it may also be considered to act at any other point on its line
of action.

B B

A A

• What is equilibrium of particle?

A particle is said to be in equilibrium if it remains at rest if originally at rest, or has a constant velocity if
originally in motion. When a particle is in equilibrium, the resultant force acting on it is zero.

This condition may be stated mathematically as

Σ F = 0, where Σ F is the vector sum of all the forces acting on the particle.

• What are three equations of equilibrium?

Σ Fx = 0 , Σ Fy = 0 , Σ M = 0

The algebraic sum of horizontal force is zero.

The algebraic sum of vertical force is zero.

The algebraic sum of moment about a point is zero.

• What is free body diagram

Free body diagram is a sketch of the isolated body which shows the external forces on the body and the
reactions excreted on it by the removed elements.
R

W
W

Real structure Free body diagram

• State Lami’s theorem

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Velammal Engineering college Engineering Mechanics – Two marks question bank Version - Draft
Civil Engineering Dept. Compiled - N.Sampath
Date - 18/05/12

It states that "if three coplanar forces acting at a point be in equilibrium, then each force is proportional
to the sine of the angle between the other two". ϒ
P
Q

 
Mathematically,
α

sin  sin  sin 

= =
β
S
• State Newtons laws of motion

First Law

A particle originally at rest, or moving in a straight line with constant velocity, tends to remain in this
state provided the particle is not subjected to an unbalanced force.

Second Law.
A particle acted upon by an unbalanced force F experiences an acceleration "a" that has the same
direction as the force and a magnitude that is directly proportional to the force, If F is applied to a
particle of mass m, this law may be expressed mathematically as

F = ma
Third Law

The mutual forces of action and reaction between two particles are equal, opposite, and collinear

• Distinguish scalar and vector

Scalar
A scalar is any positive or negative physical
quantity that can be completely specified by its
magnitude. Examples of scalar quantities include
length, mass, and time.
Vector
A vector is any physical quantity that requires both
a magnitude and a direction for its complete
description
E.g. Force , Velocity, Acceleration etc.

• What is moment of a force

A force tends to rotate a body about an axis or a point which is called moment of the force about that
point.

The magnitude of M is given as M = F * d

F
force

d
perpendicular distance from the axis to the line of action of the force

 =
 
The moment can also be given in vector form as 

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Velammal Engineering college Engineering Mechanics – Two marks question bank Version - Draft
Civil Engineering Dept. Compiled - N.Sampath
Date - 18/05/12

Unit II

• Define couple

Two coplanar forces when acting opposite direction to each other forms couple and it is having rotating
sense.

• What are characteristics of couple

1. The algebraic sum of forces is zero
2. The algebraic sum of moments of the forces about any point is the same and equal to the
moment of the couple itself.
• What are the common types of supports
1. Roller support
2. Hinged/Pinned support
3. Fixed support
• Draw support reactions for roller support, hinged support and fixed support.

R2 R3
R2
R1 R1 R1

• What are common types of loads

1. Point load
2. Uniformly distributed load
3. Uniformly varying load
• What is statically determinate structure

A structure which can be analyzed completely by static conditions of equilibrium alone is called statically
determinate structure.

• Define Varignon’s theorem

Varignon’s Theorem states that

Sum of the moment of all the forces about a point = moment of their resultant force about the same
point

Unit III

• Define first moment of area

For a plane figure, first moment of area about X axis is given as   and first moment of area about Y
axis is given as  

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Velammal Engineering college Engineering Mechanics – Two marks question bank Version - Draft
Civil Engineering Dept. Compiled - N.Sampath
Date - 18/05/12

dA dA
y

x
• Define centre of gravity

Centre of gravity is a point at which the entire weight of the body is acting. The first moment of area
about the centre of gravity will be zero.

Mathematically,
   
 = ̅ =
 

What is the formula for centre of gravity of a composite plane figure?

For a composite plane figure,

1 ∗ 1 ± 2 ∗ 2 ± ⋯ 1 ∗ 1 ± 2 ∗ 2 ± ⋯
 = ̅ =
1 ± 2 ± ⋯ 1 ± 2 ± ⋯

• Define centre of mass

Centre of mass is the point at which the entire mass of the body is assumed to be concentrated.

• What is centre of gravity for rectangle, triangle and semi circle shapes.
b D/2
b/3

h
d 4R/3π
d/2
h/3
D
b/2
b
• Define axis of symmetry

The axis about which similar configuration exist with respect to shape, size and weight on either side is
known as axis of symmetry. It may be horizontal, vertical or inclined.

• Define moment of inertia ( or define second moment of area)

For any plane figure, the second moment of area about X axis is given as ௑௑ =  ଶ  and second
moment of area about Y axis is given as ௒௒ =  ଶ 

Y Y
dA dA
y
X X
x Page 5 of 12
Velammal Engineering college Engineering Mechanics – Two marks question bank Version - Draft
Civil Engineering Dept. Compiled - N.Sampath
Date - 18/05/12

The second moment of area of a plane figure is also called as moment of inertia.

• What is moment of inertia of rectangle, triangle and semi circle about it’s centre of gravity along
X and Y axes
I Y= πR4 /8
I Y= h*b3 /36
b

I X= b*d3 /12 h I X= 0.11 R4

d I X= b*h3 /36

I Y= d*b3 /12 R
b

• Define radius of gyration

Radius of gyration about an axis is defined as the distance from that axis at which all the elemental parts
of the lamina would have to be placed such that the moment of inertia about the axis is same.

• State parallel axis theorem

Parallel axis theorem states that the moment of inertia of an area about an axis is equal to the sum of
moment of inertia about an axis passing through the centroid parallel to the given axis and the product
of area and square of the distance between the two parallel axis.

CG-x CG-x IA = ICG-X + Area * h2

h
A A

• State perpendicular axis theorem

Perpendicular axis theorem states that the moment of inertia about an axis perpendicular to the lamina
and passing through it’s centroid is equal to the sum of moment of inertias of the lamina about two
mutually perpendicular axis passing through the centroid.
Y
IZZ = IXX + IYY
X
Z

• Define polar moment of inertia

The area moment of inertia for an area relative to an axis perpendicular to the plane of the area is called
polar moment of inertia.

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Velammal Engineering college Engineering Mechanics – Two marks question bank Version - Draft
Civil Engineering Dept. Compiled - N.Sampath
Date - 18/05/12

• Define product of inertia

For any plane figure, the product of inertia about X and Y axis is given as ( ∗ ) 
dA
y
x

What is principle moment of inertia ( What is principle axis)

For any plane figure, the moment of inertia about an axis for a particular orientation is maximum. The
moment of inertia about the other orthogonal axis is minimum. These moment of inertias are called
principle moments of inertias and the axes are called principle axis

Mathematically principle axes are the axes with which the product of inertia is zero.

What is moment of inertia about an axis inclined θ to the X axis

௑ +  ௒ ௑ −  ௒
P
௉ = cos 2θ − ௑௒  2θ
Y
+
2 2
Q
௑ +  ௒ ௑ −  ௒
ொ = − cos 2θ − ௑௒  2θ
2 2 X
• Write the formula for principle moment of inertia

௑ +  ௒ ௑ −  ௒ ଶ
ெ௔௫ = 
+   − ௑௒ ଶ
2 2

௑ +  ௒ ௑ −  ௒ ଶ
ெ௜௡ = −   − ௑௒ ଶ
2 2

Unit IV

• Define Speed

The rate of change of displacement of a body irrespective of its direction is called speed. It is a scalar
quantity.

• Define velocity

The rate of change of displacement of a body with respect to its surroundings in a particular direction is
called velocity. It is a vector quantity.

• Define uniform acceleration

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Velammal Engineering college Engineering Mechanics – Two marks question bank Version - Draft
Civil Engineering Dept. Compiled - N.Sampath
Date - 18/05/12

If a body moves in such a way that its velocity changes equal in magnitude in equal interval of time, it is
said to move with uniform acceleration. Example : A non stop train between successive stations.

• Define variable acceleration

If a body moves in such a way that its velocity changes unequal in magnitude in equal interval of time, it
is said to move with a variable acceleration. Example : A train starts from a station with an acceleration,
and the acceleration increases over time and decreases near next station.

• Write the equations of plane motion

Final Velocity v = u + a * t

Displacement s = u *t + (1/2) * a * t2

V2 = u2 + 2 * a * s

u = initial velocity, v = final velocity, a = acceleration, t = time taken for displacement

• Define projectile

A particle moving under the combined effect of vertical and horizontal forces is called projectile

• Define trajectory

A particle moving under the combined effect of vertical and horizontal forces is called projectile and the
path traced by the projectile is called trajectory

• Define angle of projection

The angle with the horizontal at which a projectile is projected is called angle of projection

• Define range of projectile

The distance between the point of projection and the point where the projectile strikes the ground is
known as range of projectile

Range

=
v଴ ଶ
sin 2α
g

• Write the equation for maximum height of projectile

=
v଴ ଶ ଶ
sin α
2g

• What is time of flight of a projectile

It is the total time taken by the particle from starting point to the final point.

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Velammal Engineering college Engineering Mechanics – Two marks question bank Version - Draft
Civil Engineering Dept. Compiled - N.Sampath
Date - 18/05/12

= 2
v଴
sin α
g

• State D’Alembert’s principle

The system of forces acting on a body in motion is in dynamic equilibrium with the inertia forces of the
body. i.e. the inertia force is considered to act in opposite direction of motion and the dynamic problem
is considered as static problem.

• What is work done by a force

The work done by a constant force F is the product of the component of force in the direction of
displacement and the magnitude of displacement.

U = FX * ΔX

• What is work done by a spring of stiffness k with a displacement of δ

U = (1/2) k δ2

When spring deforms from original undeformed position, work done is negative. If it returns to original
undeformed position, work done is positive.

• State work-energy principle

When a particle moves from position 1 to 2 under the action of a force F, then the work of the force F is
equal to the change in kinetic energy of that particle.

Mathematically, U1-2 = T2 – T1

• What is momentum

A particle of mass m moving with a velocity v is said to have a momentum given as

G = m v ( which is a vector quantity)

• What is impulse

If a mass moves from position 1 to 2 in the time frame t1 to t2, impulse is given as

 !" = #  $
௧ଶ

௧ଵ

• What is conservation of linear momentum

When two particles A and B interact, As per conservation of momentum, the total momentum of the
system is constant.

mA-1 vA-1 + mB-1 vB-1 = mA-2 vA-2 + mB-2 vB-2

• What is impact
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Velammal Engineering college Engineering Mechanics – Two marks question bank Version - Draft
Civil Engineering Dept. Compiled - N.Sampath
Date - 18/05/12

It is the collision between two bodies which occurs in a very short interval of time during which the two
bodies exert relatively large forces on each other.

• What is line of impact

The common normal to the surface of two bodies in contact during impact is called line of impact.

• Distinguish central impact and oblique impact

When the mass centres of colliding bodies are located on the line of impact, it is called central impact.

If the mass centres of colliding bodies are not located on the line of impact, it is called eccentric impact.

• Distinguish direct impact and oblique impact

If the direction of two colliding bodies is directed along the line of impact, it is called direct impact.

Before impact At impact

If the motion of the one or both of the colliding bodies is not directed along the line of impact, it is called
oblique impact.

Before impact At impact

• What is direct central impact

If the mass centres of colliding bodies are on the line of impact and velocities of the bodies are directed
along the line of impact, it is called direct central impact.

• What is oblique central impact

If the mass centres of colliding bodies are on the line of impact and velocities of one or both the bodies
are not along the line of impact, it is called oblique central impact.

• What is period of deformation and period of restitution

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Velammal Engineering college Engineering Mechanics – Two marks question bank Version - Draft
Civil Engineering Dept. Compiled - N.Sampath
Date - 18/05/12

Period of deformation is the time elapsed from the instant of initial contact to the instant of maximum
deformation.

Period of restitution is the time elapsed from the instant of maximum deformation to the instant of just
separation of particles.

What is coefficient of restitution

The ratio of magnitudes of impulses corresponding to the period of restitution and to the period of
deformation is called coefficient of restitution.

e = impulse during restitution / impulse during deformation

It is also given as

e = relative velocity of separation / relative velocity of approach

= (vBF – vAF ) / (vA – vB)

Unit V

• Define friction

Friction may be defined as a force of resistance acting o a body which prevents or retards slipping of the
body relative to a second body or surface with which it is in contact

• Define static friction

Static friction between two bodies is the tangential force which opposes the sliding of one body relative
to the other (there is no motion).

• Define Dry friction (also coloumb friction)

If friction force exists between two surfaces without any lubrication, the friction is called dry friction.

• Define dynamic friction (or Kinetic friction)

Dynamic friction between two bodies is the tangential force which opposes the sliding of one body
relative to the other after the motion begins.

• What is impending motion

The motion is said to be impending if the applied forces are such that the body is just about to slide.

• Define angle of friction

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Velammal Engineering college Engineering Mechanics – Two marks question bank Version - Draft
Civil Engineering Dept. Compiled - N.Sampath
Date - 18/05/12

It is convenient to represent normal reaction N and the friction force F using a single resultant force R
with reference to normal force. The angle of inclination of this resultant is called angle of friction ϕ .

N
ϕ

• Define limiting friction

Limiting friction is the maximum value of static friction force that occurs when motion is impending.

• Define coefficient of static and dynamic friction

Coefficient of static friction is the ratio of static friction to the normal reaction

Coefficient of dynamic friction is the ratio of dynamic friction to the normal reaction

• Define angle of repose

Angle of repose is the angle to which an inclined plane may be raised before an object resting on it will
move under the action of the force of gravity.

• What is sliding friction

It is the friction experienced by a body when it slides over an another body.

• What is rolling friction

It is the friction experienced by a body when it rolls over the other.

• State laws of static friction

1. The force of friction always acts in a direction opposite to that in which the body tends to
move.
2. The magnitude of friction force is exactly equal to the force which tends to move the body
till the limiting value is reached.
3. The total frictional force is independent of the area of contact between two surfaces and
depends on nature of surface
4. Limiting friction is given as Flim = μs N, where N is the normal reaction between surface
• State laws of dynamic friction
1. The force of friction always acts in a direction opposite to that in which the body is moving
2. The magnitude of kinetic friction bears a constant ratio to the normal reaction between the
two surfaces
3. For moderate speeds, the force of friction remains constant and it decreases with the
increase of speed.

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