ENS 161 – Statics of Rigid Bodies Problem Set # 1 – Vectors, Equilibrium, and Moment of a Particle

Header Instructions: Write these details on the upper left corner of your paper using the format
[FAMILY NAME, First Name, Middle Initial] – [ID Number] – [Problem Set # _] excluding the brackets.
General Instructions: Write all your solutions and answers on a Long Bond Paper. Round off your solutions
and answers to at most four (4) decimal places. Lastly, write and enclose your final answers in a box.
Part I. General Principles. Solve the problem as indicated.
1. Evaluate each of the following to three significant figures and express each answer in SI units using an
appropriate prefix: (a) (684 𝜇𝑚)/(43 𝑚𝑠), (b) (28 𝑚𝑠)(0.0458 𝑀𝑚)/(348 𝑚𝑔), (c) (2.68 𝑚𝑚)(426 𝑀𝑔).
2. Using the SI system of units, show that the equation for Gravitational Force is a dimensionally
homogeneous equation which gives F in Newtons. Determine to three significant figures the gravitational
force acting between two spheres that are touching each other. The mass of each sphere is 200 kg and
the radius 300 mm.
3. Water has a density of 1.94 slug/ft3. What is the density expressed in SI units? Express the answer to
three significant figures.
4. If a man weighs 155 lb on earth, specify (a) his mass in slugs, (b) his mass in kilograms, and (c) his
weight in Newtons. If the man is on the moon, where the acceleration due to gravity is 𝑔𝑚 = 5.30 𝑓𝑡/𝑠 2 ,
determine (d) his weight in pounds, and (e) his mass in kilograms.
Part II. Force Vectors. Solve the problem as indicated.
1. The plate is subjected to the two forces at A and B as shown. If 𝜃 = 60°, determine the magnitude of the
resultant of these two forces and its direction measured clockwise from the horizontal.

2. Resolve F1 and F2 into their x and y components.

ENS 161 – Statics of Rigid Bodies Problem Set # 1 – Vectors, Equilibrium, and Moment of a Particle

3. The screw eye is subjected to the two forces shown. Express each force in Cartesian vector form and
then determine the resultant force. Find the magnitude and coordinate direction angles of the resultant
force.

4. Determine the magnitude and coordinate direction angles of the resultant force and sketch this vector
on the coordinate system.

5. Determine the angle 𝜃 between the two cables.

ENS 161 – Statics of Rigid Bodies Problem Set # 1 – Vectors, Equilibrium, and Moment of a Particle

Part III. Equilibrium of a Particle. Solve the problem as indicated.

1. The man attempts to pull down the tree using the cable and small pulley arrangement shown. If the
tension in AB is 60 lb, determine the tension in cable CAD and the angle 𝜃 which the cable makes at
the pulley.

2. The lift sling is used to hoist a container having a mass of 500 kg. Determine the force in each of the
cables AB and AC as a function of 𝜃. If the maximum tension allowed in each cable is 5 kN, determine
the shortest lengths of cables AB and AC that can be used for the lift. The center of gravity of the
container is located at G.

3. Each cord can sustain a maximum tension of 20 lb. Determine the largest weight of the lamp that can
be supported. Also, determine 𝜃 of cord DC for equilibrium.
ENS 161 – Statics of Rigid Bodies Problem Set # 1 – Vectors, Equilibrium, and Moment of a Particle

4. Determine the force in each cable needed to support the 20-kg flowerpot.

5. The crate has a mass of 130 kg. Determine the tension developed in each cable for equilibrium.

Part IV. Force System Resultant. Solve the problem as indicated.

1. Determine the moment of each force about the bolt located at A. Take FB = 40 lb, FC = 50 lb.
ENS 161 – Statics of Rigid Bodies Problem Set # 1 – Vectors, Equilibrium, and Moment of a Particle

2. The 20-N horizontal force acts on the handle of the socket wrench. What is the moment of this force
about point B. Specify the coordinate direction angles 𝛼, 𝛽, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝛾 of the moment axis.

3. If the 1500-lb boom AB, the 200-lb cage BCD, and the 1750lb man have centers of gravity located at
points G1, G2, and G3, respectively, determine the resultant moment produced by each weight about
point A.

4. Determine the moment of the force F about the door hinge at A. Express the result as a Cartesian vector.
ENS 161 – Statics of Rigid Bodies Problem Set # 1 – Vectors, Equilibrium, and Moment of a Particle

5. Replace the force system acting on the beam by an equivalent force and couple moment at points A
and B.