Engineering Mechanics: Statics

Fifteenth Edition

Chapter 1
General Principles
Section 1.1 Mechanics
Section 1.2 Fundamental
Concepts
Section 1.3 Units of
Measurement
Section 1.4 The International
System of Units
Section 1.5 Numerical
Calculations
Section 1.6 General Procedure
for Analysis
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Mechanics, Units, Numerical Calculations
& General Procedure For Analysis
Today’s Objectives: In-Class activities:
Students will be able to: • Reading Quiz
a. Explain mechanics/statics. • What is Mechanics?
b. Work with two types of units. • System of Units
c. Round the final answer appropriately. • Numerical Calculations
d. Apply problem-solving strategies. • Concept Quiz
• Problem-Solving Strategy
• Attention Quiz

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Reading Quiz (1 of 2)
1. The subject of mechanics deals with what happens to a
body when __________ is/are applied to it.

A. a magnetic field
B. heat
C. forces
D. neutrons
E. lasers

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Reading Quiz (2 of 2)
2. ________ still remains the basis of most of today’s
engineering sciences.

A. Newtonian Mechanics
B. Relativistic Mechanics
C. Greek Mechanics
D. Euclidean Mechanics

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What is Mechanics?
Study of what happens to a “thing” (the technical name is
“Body”) when Forces are applied to it.
Either the body or forces can be large or small.

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Branches of Mechanics

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Section 1.3: Units of Measurement
Four fundamental physical quantities (or dimensions).
• Length
• Mass
• Time
• Force
Newton’s 2nd Law relates them: F = m × a

We use this equation to develop systems of units.

Units are arbitrary names we give to the physical quantities.

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Unit Systems
Force, mass, time and acceleration are related by Newton’s
2nd law. Three of these are assigned units (called base units)
and the fourth unit is derived. Which one is derived varies by
the system of units.
We will work with two unit systems in statics:
• International System (S I)
• U.S. Customary (USC S)

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Table 1.1 In the Textbook Summarizes
These Unit Systems
Table 1.1 Systems of units.

Name Length Time Mass Force

International meter second kilogram newton*

System of m s kg N
Units SI
 kg  m 
 s2 
left parenthesis start fraction kilogram times meter over s squared end fraction right parenthesis

 

U.S. foot second slug* pound

Customary ft s lb
 lb  s 2 
left paranthesis start fraction pound times s squared over feet end fraction right paranthesis

FP S
 
 ft 

*Derived unit.
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Common Conversion Factors
Work problems in the units given unless otherwise
instructed!
Table 1.2 Conversion Factors
Unit of Unit of
Quantity Measurement (F P S) Equals Measurement (S I)
blank

Force lb 4.448 N
blank

Mass Slug 14.59 kg

blank

Length ft 0.3048 m eter

Can you convert a force value of 47 lb into S I units?

Answer is 209.06 N
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Section 1.4: The International System
of Units
• No plurals (e.g., m = 5 k g, not kg s)
• Separate units with a  (e.g., meter second = m  s )
• Most symbols are in lowercase.
– Key exceptions are N, P a, M and G.

• Exponential powers apply to units, e.g., cm cm = cm 2

• Compound prefixes should not be used.

• Table 1.3 in the textbook shows prefixes used in the S I
system

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Table 1.3 Shows Some of the Prefixes
Used in the S I System
TABLE 1.3 Prefixes
Blank

Exponential Form Prefix S I Symbol

Blank Blank Blank

Multiple

1 000 000 000 109 ten to the power of 9

giga G

1 000 000 106 ten to the power of 6

mega M

1 000 103 ten to the power of 3

kilo K
Blank Blank Blank

Submultiple

0.001 103
ten to the power of negativ e 3

milli m

0.000 001 106

ten to the power of negativ e 6

micro μ
Mu

0.000 000 001 109

ten to the power of negativ e 9

nano n

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Section 1.5: Numerical Calculations

Must have dimensional “homogeneity.” Dimensions have to

be the same on both sides of the equal sign, (e.g. distance =
speed × time.)
Use an appropriate number of significant figures (3 for
answer, at least 4 for intermediate calculations). Why?

Be consistent when rounding off.

– greater than 5, round up (3528  3530)
– smaller than 5, round down (0.03521  0.0352)
– equal to 5, see your textbook for an explanation.

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Concept Quiz (1 of 2)
1. Evaluate the situation in which mass (k g ), force (N), and
ilo ram

length (m) are the base units and recommend one of the
following.

A. A new system of units will have to be formulated.

B. Only the unit of time have to be changed from second
to something else.
C. No changes are required.
D. The above situation is not feasible.

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Concept Quiz (2 of 2)
2. Give the most appropriate reason for using three
significant figures in reporting results of typical engineering
calculations.

A. Historically slide rules could not handle more than

three significant figures.
B. Three significant figures gives better than one-percent
accuracy.
C. Telephone systems designed by engineers have area
codes consisting of three figures.
D. Most of the original data used in engineering
calculations do not have accuracy better than one
percent.
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Problem Solving Strategy IP E: A 3-
Step Approach
1. Interpret: Read carefully and determine what is given
and what is to be found/delivered. Ask, if not clear. If
necessary, make assumptions and indicate them.
2. Plan: Think about major steps (or a road map) that you
will take to solve a given problem. Think of
alternative/creative solutions and choose the best one.
3. Execute: Carry out your steps. Use appropriate
diagrams and equations. Estimate your answers. Avoid
simple calculation mistakes. Reflect on and then revise
your work, if necessary.

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Attention Quiz (1 of 2)
1. For a static’s problem, your calculations show the final
answer as 12345.6 N. What should you write as your final
answer?

A. 12345.6 N
B. 12.3456 k N
C. 12 k N
D. 12.3 k N
E. 123 k N

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Attention Quiz (2 of 2)
2. In the three-step approach to problem solving called I P E,
what does P stand for?
A. Position
B. Plan
C. Problem
D. Practical
E. Possible

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