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SCALAR AND VECTOR QUANTITIES

In statics we deal with two kinds of quantities, scalars and vectors.
‚ A scalar quantity is one which has magnitude (or size) only.
Examples: Mass, Volume, Density, Age, Distance, Time, Speed, Energy.
‚ A vector quantity is one which has direction as well as magnitude.
A vector quantity can be represented by a straight line drawn to scale from the
point of application along the line of action of the quantity. An arrowhead is
used to indicate the direction of the quantity
Examples: Force, Velocity, Acceleration, Momentum, Displacement,
Moment.
Representation of a vector
A vector has the following characteristics:
magnitude
direction (line of action and sense)
point of application.
A line segment with an arrow is used to represent a vector, whereby:
 the length of the line segment represents the magnitude of the vector,
 the direction of the arrow represents the direction of the vector and
 the starting point of the line segment represents the point of application of the
vector.

A FORCE AS A VECTOR QUANTITY

Terms used in problems involving a number of forces acting at a point

EQUILIBRIUM When two or more forces act at a point and are so arranged to balance
each other, the forces are said to be in equilibrium.
RESULTANT The resultant of a number of forces acting at a point is that single force
which would have the same effect if it replaced those forces.
EQUILIBRANT The equilibrant is a single force which, if added to a system of forces
acting at a point, would produce equilibrium.
Hence, the equilibrant will neutralize the other forces i.e it is equal in
magnitude to the resultant but in opposite direction.
COPLANAR FORCES These are forces which are acting in the same plane.
CONCURRENT FORCES These are forces whose lines of action meet at the same point.

Note: When a number of coplanar forces acting on a body are in equilibrium, their
lines of action must pass through a common point, i.e the forces must be
concurrent.
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RESULTANT OF TWO VECTORS

PARALLELOGRAM OF VECTORS (e.g Forces)

If two vectors acting at a point are represented in magnitude and direction by the adjacent
sides of a parallelogram, then their resultant will be represented in both magnitude and
direction by the diagonal of the parallelogram drawn from that point.

Consider two forces P and Q acting as shown below.

These can be represented on a parallelogram as shown below.

Note that the resultant is equal in magnitude but opposite to the equilibrant.
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Example 1
Two forces of 300 N and 500 N act at a point O and are inclined at 600 to each other.
(i) Calculate the resultant in the above case.
(ii) Calculate the resultant force in the above case if the forces were at 900 to each other.

Example 2
A capstan holds a rope which laps it by an angle of 1500 as shown in the diagram below. The
tensions in the two sides of the rope are T1 and T2. What is the magnitude of the resultant
force on the capstan when T1 = 4 kN and T2 = 1.75 kN? [5.6 kN]

Example 3
The resultant of two forces acting on a gusset plate is 1.45 kN acting at 300 to the horizontal.
One of the forces is known to be 300 N acting horizontally as shown in the diagram below.
Find analytically
(i) the magnitude and [1.2 kN]
(ii) direction of the second force P. [7.2o]
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TUTORIAL EXERCISE 1
(COPLANAR FORCES)
1. Determine the magnitude of the resultant force R and the angle between the x-axis
and the line of action of the resultant for the following problems:
(a)
54 N

600 60 N

[98.8 N; 28.30]
(b)
y
400 N

480 N
290

210
x
[580 N; 640]
(c)
y

800 N
600 N
450 600

[ 867 N, 930 ]
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(d)
y
200 N

260 250 N

140
x
[408 N; 36.10]
(e)
y

25 kN

360
x
240

10 kN

[31.22 kN, 19o]

2. A belt laps a pulley as shown in the diagram below. The angle of contact of the belt
on the pulley is 2400. The belt tensions are 2.5 kN and 1 kN. Find the resultant force
R on the pulley.

(3.12 kN)
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3. What is the resultant force exerted on the gusset plate in the figure below by the
forces shown? [22.82 kN]

4. A cable exerts a force of 15 kN on a bracket as shown in the figure below. If the

cable is at an angle of 350 to the horizontal what are the horizontal and vertical
components of that force?

5. A structural member is acted on by a force of 20 kN in the direction shown in the

figure below. What are the components of that force in the x and y directions?