MEC1391:Statics

Hanan Mokhtar

Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 1

Chapter 3 :
Equilibrium of a
Particle

3.1 – 3.4

Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 2

Chapter Objectives
 Concept of the free-body diagram for a
particle
 Solve particle equilibrium problems using
the equations of equilibrium

Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 3

EQUILIBRIUM OF A PARTICLE, THE FREE-BODY DIAGRAM & COPLANAR
FORCE SYSTEMS

Today’s Objectives:
Students will be able to :
In-Class Activities:
a) Draw a free-body diagram (FBD), and, • Reading Quiz
b) Apply equations of equilibrium to solve • Applications
a 2-D problem. • What, Why, and How of
a FBD
• Equations of Equilibrium
• Analysis of Spring and
Pulleys
• Concept Quiz
• Group Problem Solving
• Attention Quiz
 READING QUIZ

1) When a particle is in equilibrium, the sum of forces acting on it

equals ___ .
A) A constant B) A positive number C) Zero
D) A negative number E) An integer

2) For a frictionless pulley and cable, tensions in the cable (T1

and T2) are related as _____ .
A) T1 > T2
B) T1 = T2
C) T1 < T2 T1
T2
D) T1 = T2 sin 
APPLICATIONS

The crane is lifting a load. To decide

if the straps holding the load to the
crane hook will fail, you need to know
the force in the straps. How could
you find the forces?

Straps
APPLICATIONS (continued)

For a spool of given weight,

how would you find the
forces in cables AB and AC?
If designing a spreader bar
like this one, you need to
know the forces to make
sure the rigging doesn’t fail.
 APPLICATIONS (continued)

For a given force exerted on the boat’s towing pendant, what are the forces
in the bridle cables? What size of cable must you use?
COPLANAR FORCE SYSTEMS (Section 3.3)

This is an example of a 2-D or

coplanar force system.
If the whole assembly is in
equilibrium, then particle A is also
in equilibrium.

To determine the tensions in the

cables for a given weight of
cylinder, you need to learn how
to draw a free-body diagram and
apply the equations of
equilibrium.
3.1 Condition for the Equilibrium of a Particle
 Particle at equilibrium if
- At rest
- Moving at constant a constant velocity

 Newton’s first law of motion

∑F = 0
where ∑F is the vector sum of all the forces acting on the particle
 Newton’s second law of motion
∑F = ma

 When the force fulfill Newton's first law of motion,

ma = 0
a=0
therefore, the particle is moving in constant velocity or at rest

Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 10

 THE WHAT, WHY, AND HOW OF A FREE-BODY
DIAGRAM (FBD)

Free-body diagrams are one of the most important things for you to know
how to draw and use for statics and other subjects!

What? - It is a drawing that shows all external forces acting on the

particle.

Why? - It is key to being able to write the equations of

equilibrium—which are used to solve for the unknowns (usually
forces or angles).
How?
1. Imagine the particle to be isolated or cut free from its surroundings.

2. Show all the forces that act on the particle.

Active forces: They want to move the particle.
Reactive forces: They tend to resist the motion.

3. Identify each force and show all known magnitudes and directions.
Show all unknown magnitudes and / or directions as variables.

FBD at A FB
30˚
A x
FD A

FC = 392.4 N (What is this?)

Note : Cylinder mass = 40 Kg
 EQUATIONS OF 2-D EQUILIBRIUM

y
FBD at A Since particle A is in equilibrium, the net
FB force at A is zero.
30˚ So FB + FC + FD = 0
A x
FD A
A or  F = 0
FC = 392.4 N
FBDat
FBD at A
A
In general, for a particle in equilibrium,
 F = 0 or
 Fx i +  Fy j = 0 = 0 i + 0 j (a vector equation)

Or, written in a scalar form,

 Fx = 0 and  Fy = 0
These are two scalar equations of equilibrium (E-of-E). They can
be used to solve for up to two unknowns.
 EQUATIONS OF 2-D EQUILIBRIUM (continued)

y
FBD at A
FB
30˚
A x
FD A

FC = 392.4 N

Note : Cylinder mass = 40 Kg

Write the scalar E-of-E:
+   Fx = FB cos 30º – FD = 0
+   Fy = FB sin 30º – 392.4 N = 0

Solving the second equation gives: FB = 785 N →

From the first equation, we get: FD = 680 N ←
3.2 The Free-Body Diagram
 Best representation of all the unknown forces (∑F)
which acts on a body
 A sketch showing the particle “free” from the
surroundings with all the forces acting on it
 Consider two common connections in this subject –
 Spring
 Cables and Pulleys

Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 15

 SIMPLE SPRINGS

Spring Force = spring constant * deformation of spring

or F = k * s
3.2 The Free-Body Diagram
 Spring
 Linear elastic spring: change in length is directly
proportional to the force acting on it
 spring constant or stiffness k: defines the elasticity
of the spring
 Magnitude of force when spring
is elongated or compressed
 F = ks

Spring : force drawn is similar to

any force in a cable

Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 17

 CABLES AND PULLEYS

With a frictionless pulley and cable

T 1 = T2 .

T1
T2
3.2 The Free-Body Diagram
 Cables and Pulley
 Cables (or cords) are assumed negligible weight
and cannot stretch
 Tension always acts in the direction of the cable
 Tension force must have a constant magnitude for
equilibrium
 For any angle θ, the cable
is subjected to a constant tension T

Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 19

3.2 The Free-Body Diagram
Procedure for Drawing a FBD
1. Draw outlined shape
2. Show all the forces
- Active forces: particle in motion
- Reactive forces: constraints that
prevent motion
3. Identify each forces
- Known forces with proper magnitude
and direction
- Letters used to represent magnitude
and directions
Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 20
 FBD

Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 21

3.3 Coplanar Systems
 A particle is subjected to coplanar forces in the x-y
plane
 Resolve into i and j components for equilibrium
∑Fx = 0
∑Fy = 0
 Scalar equations of equilibrium
require that the algebraic sum
of the x and y components to
equal to zero

Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 22

3.3 Coplanar Systems
 Procedure for Analysis
1. Free-Body Diagram
- Establish the x, y axes
- Label all the unknown and known forces

2. Equations of Equilibrium
- Apply F = ks to find spring force
- When negative result force is the reserve
- Apply the equations of equilibrium
∑Fx = 0 ∑Fy = 0

Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 23

 EXAMPLE

Given: The box weighs 550 N and

geometry is as shown.
Find: The forces in the ropes AB and
AC.

Plan:
1. Draw a FBD for point A.
2. Apply the E-of-E to solve for the forces in ropes AB and AC.
 EXAMPLE (continued)

y FC FBD at point A
FB
5 3
30 4
˚ A x

FD = 550 N

Applying the scalar E-of-E at A, we get;

+   F x = FB cos 30° – FC (4/5) = 0

+   F y = FB sin 30° + FC (3/5) - 550 N = 0
Solving the above equations, we get;
FB = 478 N and FC = 518 N
 CONCEPT QUESTIONS

1000 N
1000 N 1000 N
(A) (B) (C)
1) Assuming you know the geometry of the ropes, you cannot determine
the forces in the cables in which system above?

2) Why?
A) The weight is too heavy.
B) The cables are too thin.
C) There are more unknowns than equations.
D) There are too few cables for a 1000 N weight.
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING

Given: The mass of lamp is 20 kg

and geometry is as shown.
Find: The force in each cable.

Plan:

1. Draw a FBD for Point D.

2. Apply E-of-E at Point D to solve for the unknowns (FCD & FDE).
3. Knowing FCD, repeat this process at point C.
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)

FBD at point D
y FDE

FCD 30
D ˚
x

W = 20 (9.81) N

Applying the scalar E-of-E at D, we get;

+  Fy = FDE sin 30° – 20 (9.81) = 0
+  Fx = FDE cos 30° – FCD = 0
Solving the above equations, we get:
FDE = 392 N and FCD = 340 N
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)

FBD at point C
FAC y
5
4
3 FCD =340 N
C x
FBC
45
˚
Applying the scalar E-of-E at C, we get;
+  Fx = 340 – FBC sin 45° – FAC (3/5) = 0
+   Fy = FAC (4/5) – FBC cos 45° = 0
Solving the above equations, we get;
FBC = 275 N and FAC = 243 N
 ATTENTION QUIZ

1. Select the correct FBD of particle A.

A
30 40

100 N

F1 F2

A) A B)
30 40°
100 N
A
F1 F2
F
C) 30°
D) 30° 40°
A

A
100 N 100 N
 ATTENTION QUIZ

2. Using this FBD of Point C, the sum of forces F2

in the x-direction ( FX) is ___ . Use a sign
20 N 50°
convention of +  .
C
A) F2 sin 50° – 20 = 0
F1
B) F2 cos 50° – 20 = 0
C) F2 sin 50° – F1 = 0
D) F2 cos 50° + 20 = 0
3.5
The members of a truss are connected to the gusset plate.
If the forces are concurrent at point O, determine the
magnitudes of F and T for equilibrium. Take θ = 30°

32 Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4

Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 33
3.10
Determine the tension developed in wires and CA and CB
required for equilibrium of the 10-kg cylinder. Take θ = 40°

Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 34

Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 35
3.12
Determine the force in each cable and the force F needed
to hold the lamp of mass 4kg in the position shown. Hint:
First analyze the equilibrium at B; then, using the result for
the force in BC, analyze the equilibrium at C.

Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 36

Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 37
3.15
The spring has a stiffness of and an unstretched length of
200 mm. Determine the force in cables BC and BD when
the spring is held in the position shown.

Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 38

Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 39
3.33
The pail and its contents have a mass of 60kg. If the
cable is 15 m long, determine the distance y of the pulley
for equilibrium. Neglect the size of the pulley at A.

40 Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4

Chapter 3 : 3.1 - 3.4 41