EQUILIBRIUM OF

A PARTICLE
Astajho4
OBJECTIVES
• To introduce the concept of the free-
body diagram for a particle.
• To show how to solve particle
equilibrium problems using the
equations of equilibrium.
OUTLINE

• Conditions for the Equilibrium of a Particle

• Coplanar Force System
• Free-Body Diagram
• Three-Dimensional Force System
 Conditions For the Equilibrium of a Particle

A particle is in o To maintain equilibrium, it is necessary

equilibrium to satisfy Newton’s first law of motion,
which requires the resultant force
if it remains at rest acting on a particle to be equal to zero.
if originally at rest. This condition is stated by the equation
if it is moving at of equilibrium
constant velocity if ƩF = 0
originally in where ƩF is the vector (1)
sum of all the
motion. forces acting on the particle.
 Conditions For the Equilibrium of a Particle

Newton’s 2nd • When the force system satisfies

law of motion Eq. (1), then
can be written ma = 0
as
Thus, acceleration a = 0.
ƩF = ma
Consequently, the particle
indeed moves with constant velocity
or remains at rest.
 COPLANAR FORCE SYSTEM
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 a cylinder, you need to learn
how to draw a free-body diagram and apply
the equations of equilibrium.
 THE WHAT, WHY, AND HOW OF A FREE-BODY
Free-Body Diagram DIAGRAM (FBD)

A free-body diagram is one of the most

important things to master for us to solve
problems in Engineering Mechanics.

What? – It is a drawing that shows all external

forces acting on a particle.

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

which are used to solve for the unknown.
 THE WHAT, WHY, AND HOW OF A FREE-BODY
Free-Body Diagram DIAGRAM (FBD)

How?
1. Imagine the particle to be isolated or
cut free from its surroundings.
2. Show all the forces that act on the
particle.
3. Identify each force and show all
known magnitudes and directions.
Show all unknown magnitudes
and/or directions as variables.
EQUATIONS OF 2-D EQUILIBRIUM
Since particle A is in equilibrium, the net force
at A is zero.
So FB + FC + FD = 0
or ƩF = 0
In general, for a particle in equilibrium.
ƩF = 0
Or ƩFx + ƩFy = 0 = 0 + 0 (a vector equation)

In scalar form
ƩFx = 0 and ƩFy = 0
EQUATIONS OF 2-D EQUILIBRIUM

Applying equations of equilibrium in scalar

form,
+Fx = FB cos 30° - FD = 0

+Fy = FB sin 30° - FC = 0

FB sin 30° - 392.4 = 0
FB = 784.8
NFrom the 1st equation,
FD = (784.8 N) cos 30°
FD = 679.66 N
SPRINGS
• Linear Elastic Spring: Change in length is
directly proportional to the force acting on
it.

• Spring Constant of Stiffness k: Defines the

elasticity of the spring.
• Magnitude of the force when soring is
elongated or compressed,
F = ks
CABLE AND PULLEYS
• Cables (or cords) are assumed negligible
weight and cannot stretch.
• Cable can support only tension or “pulling“
force, and this force always acts in the
direction of the cable
• Tension force must have a constant
magnitude for equilibrium.
• For any angle , the cable is subjected to
tension T.
• With a frictionless pulley and cable,
T1 = T 2
 SMOOTH CONTACT
If an object rests on a smooth surface, then the
surface will exert a force on the object that is
normal to the surface at the point of contact.

In addition to this normal force N, the cylinder is

also subjected to its weight W and the force T of
the cord.

Since these three forces are concurrent at the

center of the cylinder, we can apply the equation
of equilibrium to this “particle,” which is the same
as applying it to the cylinder.
 Example 1
Given: Figure shown with box of
weight 550 lb.
Find: The forces in the ropes AB
and AC.

Plan:
1. Draw the FBD for Point A.
2. Apply the equations of
equilibrium for the forces in
ropes AB and AC.
 Example 1 (continued)

Applying the scalar equations of

equilibrium at A, we have

+Fx = -FB cos 30° + FC (4/5) = 0

+Fy = FB sin 30° + FC (3/5) - 550 = 0

FBD at point A

Solving the above equations, we get;

FB = 478.46 lb and FC = 517.95 lb
 Example 2
Given: Cylinder C with mass 40
kg and Cylinder A of unknown mass
with geometry as shown.
Find: The tensions in cables DE,
EA, and EB.

Plan:
1. Draw the FBD for Point AE
2. Apply the equations of
equilibrium for the forces in
cables DE, EA, and EB.
 Example 2

Applying the scalar equations of

equilibrium at E, we have;

+Fx = -TED + TEB cos 30° = 0

-TED + (40 x 9.81) cos 30° = 0
FBD at point
TED = 339.83 N
+Fy = TEB sin 30° - TEA = 0
(40 x 9.81) sin 30° - TEA = 0

TEA = 196.2 N
 Seatwork 1
Given: A lamp with a mass of 20
kg with geometry as
shown.

Find: The force in each cable.

Plan:
 Seatwork 1 (Solution)
Given: A lamp with a mass of 20
kg with geometry as
shown.

Find: The force in each cable.

Plan:
1. Draw the FBD for Point D.
2. Apply the equations of
equilibrium for the at Point D to solve for the unknowns (F DE
and FDC).
3. Knowing FCD value, repeat the process at point C.
 Example 2 (continued)

Applying the scalar equations of

equilibrium at D, we have
+Fy = FDE sin 30° - FDF = 0
FDE sin 30° - 20(9.81) = 0

+Fx = FDE cos 30° - FCD = 0 FBD at point D

Solving the above equations, we get;

FDE = 392.4 N and FCD = 339.82 N
 Example 2 (continued)

Applying the scalar equations of

equilibrium at C, we have
+ Fx = FCD - FAC (3/5)- FBC cos 45° = 0
339.82 - FAC (3/5)- FBC cos 45° = 0

+Fy = FAC (4/5)- FBC sin 45° = 0 FBD at point C

Solving the above equations, we get;

FAC = 242.73 N↖ and FBC = 274.62 N↙
THE EQUATIONS OF 3-D EQUILIBRIUM
When a particle is in equilibrium, the vector sum of all the
forces acting on it must be zero (ƩF = 0).
This equation can be written in terms of its x, y and z
components as follows.
(ƩFX ) + (ƩFy )+ (ƩFX )= 0

To satisfy the equation we require

ƩFX = 0
ƩFy = 0
ƩFz = 0
These three equations state that the algebraic sum of the components of all the
forces acting on the particle along each of the coordinate axes must be zero which
allows you to solve for up to three unknowns.
 Example 1
Refer to the shown figure. Determine the tension developed in each of the
cables AB. AC, and AD.
 Example 1 (continued)
Given: Figure with geometry as
shown.
Find: The tension developed in
each of the cables AB. AC, and AD.
Plan:
1. Draw a FBD of particle A.
2. Writhe the unknown cable forces TB ,
TC , and TD .
3. Apply the three equilibrium equations
to solve for the tension in cables.
 Example 1 (continued)
FBD at Point A
Solution:
TB = T B

TD = -(Tc cos 60°) sin 30° + (TC cos 60°) cos

30° + TC sin 60°
TC = TC ( + 0 + 0)

TD = TD cos 120° - Tc cos 60° + Tc sin 45°

TD= TD ( - + 0)

W = -300 k
Example 1 (continued)