STATICS OF

RIGID BODIES
Esci 123 - Engineering mechanics 1
CONCURRENT FORCE
VECTORS IN 2D
Coordinate Systems, Force Resultant
Scalar vs. Vector

Scalar Vector
• Has Magnitude • Has magnitude
• No direction • Has direction

e.g. Mass, length, time e.g. force, velocity, acceleration

Magnitude
Magnitude: an element of a quantity represented by a numeric value followed
with the applicable unit.

𝑚=52.0 𝑘𝑔

𝐹 =562.3 𝑁

𝑟 =25 𝑓𝑡
Standard Units

Quantity SI unit English unit

Distance / Length meter (m) foot (ft)
Mass kilogram (kg) slug
Force Newton (N) pound force (lb)
Time second (s) second (s)
Direction
Direction: the representation of the line of action of a vector.

Ways to indicate direction:

• Verbal description
• Coordinate System
• Lines and angles
• Cartesian
The Coordinate System
To communicate directions in the coordinate system, we have to present
arbitrary axes:
• 2D Coordinate System (or Plane Coordinate System):
x & y axes
• 3D Coordinate System (or Space Coordinate system):
x, y, and z axes

“Arbitrary” means the decision is based on personal judgment only.

Usual Conventions for Coordinate Systems

For plane CS (x & y):

• positive x is towards the right
• positive y is upward

For space CS (x, y & z):

• Right hand rule
Right hand rule for convention of 3D axes

Curl your fingers to the direction of x to y, then the thumb points to the z.
Force as a vector
Force is a vector because it needs both magnitude and direction to be fully or
clearly represented

Thus, when dealing with forces, the vector theories apply.

Head

Tail
Representations of direction of a force
2D Coordinate System (Plane):
• Given angle from an axis
• Slope indicator

3D Coordinate System (Space):

• Coordinate direction angles
• Transverse azimuth angles
• Position vectors
 y

B
x
Vector Addition
• Parallelogram Law
• Vector addition by components

Theorem:
Given multiple concurrent vectors, there exists one vector that is equivalent to the combined
effect of the given vectors.
This is referred to as the Resultant.

The resultant may be evaluated by vector addition.

Parallelogram Law
A

R B
B

Parallelogram Law allows for determining the resultant of two vectors at a time.
How about evaluating the resultant of a set of more than two concurrent vectors?
Vector Addition by Components

Theorem:
The resultant of multiple concurrent vectors is equal to the resultant of the sum of
respective components on all rectangular axes.
Components of Vectors
Theorem:
A vector is equivalent to the resultant of its components on all rectangular axes.

A Component is the projection of a vector on a specified axis or plane. It is the

equivalent effect of the vector on that axis or plane.
Projection: is the shadow of the vector towards the axis or plane given that the
projection light is perpendicular to the specified axis or plane.

To evaluate a component, just project the vector to the axis or plane.

 y

B
x

Theorem:
The resultant of multiple concurrent vectors is equal to the resultant of
the algebraic sum of respective components on all rectangular axes.
Example:
Three ropes are pulling on the ring as shown.
Determine and draw the resultant of the three forces.
Exercise:
Determine the
magnitude and
direction, and
draw the resultant
of the three
tugging forces of
the ropes as
shown.
If the magnitude of the resultant force acting on the bracket is to
be 80 lb directed along the u axis, determine the magnitude of F
and its direction .
If the resultant force acting
on the bracket is to be 750 N
directed along the positive
x-axis, determine the
magnitude of F and its
direction .
“Practice makes Perfect.”
Suggested Practice Problems:
F2-9
F2-12
2-52
2-55
2-58

Other Practice Problems:

pg. 39 to 43

A short quiz will be given every end of a lecture session.

Read in advance.
Next topic:
Equilibrium of a Particle in 2D (p. 87)

Upcoming topics:
3D Concurrent Forces (p. 44)
Equilibrium of a Particle in 3D (p. 106)
Regular Quizzes:
A short quiz will be given every end of a lecture session.