Solutions to Practice

Problems, Module 1:
Engineering Mechanics
By Shaun Patrick P. Albao, BSChE – 2A
 Solutions to Practice Problems: Engineering
Mechanics
• In this presentation, I am going to present 3 solutions from the selected
practice problems to show that through understanding the basics concepts of
engineering mechanics, we can apply the principles of force vectors in
solving problems and demonstrate the forces equilibrium of a particle.
• To avoid confusion, this presentation uses the following convention:
 Small letters for scalar quantities, like – t for time.
 Bold letters to denote vector quantity, like vector A.
 Capital letters for the magnitude of vector, such as – A.
 1. Applying dot product to
resolve a vector’s component
due to rotation of axes

Using the dot product, find the

components of the velocity vector
V = 20i + 12j m/s in the direction
of x’ and y’ axes as shown in the
figure at the right.
Solution: To solve this problem, the concepts of unit  Given: V = 20i + 12j m/s Required:
vectors and dot products are needed. The rotation of
axes leads to a change in the coordinate axes.
Consequently, there will be changes in the unit
vectors, so we need to express the unit vectors of the
x’ and y’ axis (which will be denoted by i’ and j’), in
terms of the unit vectors i and j of the x and y axis,
respectively. Knowing that the magnitude of a unit
vector is equal to 1 and is unitless, we have the
following…  i ′
 j ′
 

Still confused? Think of unit vectors as if they are

graduations of a ruler for you to measure the length of
an object. A rotation of axes would lead to a same
scale but in different orientation.
 To get the magnitudes of the velocity vector’s  Note:
components in the x’ and y’ axes, we perform the dot V = 20i + 12j m/s
product of V with i’ and j’, respectively. In order to
make sense, think of projecting vector V through the x’
and y’ axes. The “shadows” of V along the rotated axes
(which form the legs of a right triangle) are its
orthogonal components which can be determined
through performing the procedure stated above. V  x ′
 

 i ′
 j ′

V  y ′
 2. Finding an unknown
force within a system of
forces to achieve a desired
resultant

The resultant of  the concurrent

forces shown in the figure below
is 300 pounds pointing up along
the y-axis. Determine the
magnitude, F, and to give this
resultant.
Solution: To solve this problem, we need to understand
that the resultant is in the positive vertical direction only.  Given: 300 lb Required: F = ?
It implies that we have zero effect in the x-direction. =?
Through using the equations of the resultant, resolving the
force vectors into their components, and denoting positive
directions upward and to the right, we can compute for the
magnitude and direction of the missing force vector…
 ,
Converting pounds to Newtons to make the equation 300 lb
dimensionally homogenous, we have… 90
  °

 0 °
 Dividing Eq. 1 by Eq.2, we get…  Since we already have , let’s use Eq. 2 to find F. (We can use
Eq. 1 to check the solution.)

 
Check:
 3. Finding an unknown
vector component in a
system of coplanar forces

Determine the value of a scalar a,

if the following vectors are to lie
in the same plane A = 2i – j +2k
m, B = 6i + 3j + ak m, and
C = 16i + 46j + 7k m.
Solution: To solve this problem, we shall use the Given: A = 2i – j +2k m C = 16i + 46j + 7k m
concepts of cross and dot products. Also, we B = 6i + 3j + ak m Required: a = ?
need to be reminded that all of these vectors lie
in the same plane. In order solve this problem,
let’s assume a plane D where vectors A, B and C
are placed. Next, we need to find the cross
product of A and C, which will be perpendicular
to D. D
 

Denoting E as , we have…
 
Knowing that B lies in D and that is  Note: B = 6i + 3j + ak m
perpendicular to D, therefore B is
perpendicular to . In this instance, the dot
product of B and becomes zero since they are
at right angles with each other.

 
That’s all. Have a good
day!