Concurrent forces

A set of forces which all pass through the same point

2-1
Polygon law of forces
A set of concurrent forces applied to a particle may be
replaced by a single resultant force which is the vector sum
of the applied forces.
Equilibrium of three concurrent forces
(Law of 3 forces)
1. They should be coplanar
2. They should be concurrent
3. The free vectors should constitute a closed polygon
composition and resolution of forces
composition of forces

P
resolution of forces

R
The two forces act on a bolt at A. Determine their
resultant using
1. Cosine law
2. Sine law
3. Method of Projection
 • Graphical solution - A parallelogram with sides
equal to P and Q is drawn to scale. The
magnitude and direction of the resultant or of the
diagonal to the parallelogram are measured,

R 2  P 2  Q 2  2 PQ cos B
  40N    60N   2  40N   60N  cos 25
2 2

R  98 N
Q sin 
tan   
P  Q cos 

R  98 N   35
2-9
Lami's theorem
A sphere weighing 100N is tied to a smooth wall using a string as
shown. Find the tension in the string and the reaction at the point
of contact