Chapter 3

Equilibrium of a Particle

Monday, May 16, 2016

Dr. Ray Taheri ASPC 180 1
 EQUILIBRIUM OF A PARTICLE, THE FREE-BODY
DIAGRAM & COPLANAR FORCE SYSTEMS
Objectives:
Students will be able to :
a) Draw a free body diagram (FBD), and,
b) Apply equations of equilibrium to solve a
2-D problem.

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 READING QUIZ

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

on it equals ___ . (Choose the most appropriate answer)
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
D) T1 = T2 sin

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 APPLICATIONS

For a spool of given

weight, what are the forces
in cables AB and AC ?

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 APPLICATIONS
(continued)

For a given cable strength,

what is the maximum
weight that can be lifted ?

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 APPLICATIONS
(continued)

For a given weight of the

lights, what are the forces
in the cables? What size
of cable must you use ?

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 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.

What ? - It is a drawing that shows

all external forces acting on the
particle.

Why ? - It helps you write the

equations of equilibrium used to
solve for the unknowns (usually
forces or angles).

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 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 .

Note : Engine mass = 250 Kg FBD at A

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 EQUATIONS OF 2-D EQUILIBRIUM

Since particle A is in equilibrium, the net

force at A is zero.
So FAB + FAC + FAD = 0
A
or F = 0
FBD at 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 (EofE). They
can be used to solve for up to two unknowns.
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 EXAMPLE

Note : Engine mass = 250 Kg FBD at A

Write the scalar EofE:
+ Fx = TB cos 30 TD = 0
+ Fy = TB sin 30 2.452 kN = 0
Solving the second equation gives: TB = 4.90 kN
From the first equation, we get: TD = 4.25 kN

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 W

F N

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 T

Fx T
Fy FFriction Whorse and Knight
FFriction

N N
N
WBridge
N

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Dr. Ray Taheri ASPC 180 20
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
Given: The car is towed at
constant speed by the 600
lb force and the angle is
25.
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.

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 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
(continued)
600 lb
FBD at point A
A
25 30

FAB FAC

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

+ Fx = FAC cos 30 FAB cos 25 = 0
+ Fy = -FAC sin 30 FAB sin 25 + 600 = 0
Solving the above equations, we get;
FAB = 634 lb
FAC = 664 lb
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 EXAMPLE
Given: Sack A weighs 20
lb. and geometry is
as shown.
Find: Forces in the
cables and weight
of sack B.
Plan:
1. Draw a FBD for Point E.
2. Apply EofE at Point E to
solve for the unknowns
(TEG & TEC).
3. Repeat this process at C.

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 EXAMPLE
(continued)

A FBD at E should look like the one

to the left. Note the assumed
directions for the two cable tensions.

The scalar E-of-E are:

+ Fx = TEG sin 30 TEC cos 45 = 0
+ Fy = TEG cos 30 TEC sin 45 20 lbs = 0
Solving these two simultaneous equations for the
two unknowns yields:
TEC = 38.6 lb
TEG = 54.6 lb
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 EXAMPLE (continued)

Now move on to ring C.

A FBD for C should look
like the one to the left.

The scalar E-of-E are:

Fx = 38.64 cos 45 (4/5) TCD = 0
Fy = (3/5) TCD + 38.64 sin 45 WB = 0

Solving the first equation and then the second yields

TCD = 34.2 lb and WB = 47.8 lb .
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 CONCEPT QUESTIONS

1000 lb
1000 lb 1000 lb
(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 lb
weight.
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 ATTENTION QUIZ

1. Select the correct FBD of particle A.

30 A 40

100 lb

F1 F2
A
A) B)
30 40
100 lb
A
F F1 F2
C) 30 D) 30 40
A
A
100 lb 100 lb
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 ATTENTION QUIZ

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

F2
forces in the x-direction ( FX) is ___ .
Use a sign convention of + .
20 lb 50
A) F2 sin 50 20 = 0 C

B) F2 cos 50 20 = 0 F1

C) F2 sin 50 F1 = 0
D) F2 cos 50 + 20 = 0

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Dr. Ray Taheri ASPC 180 29
 THREE-DIMENSIONAL FORCE SYSTEMS
Students will be able to solve 3-D particle equilibrium problems by
a) Drawing a 3-D free body diagram, and,
b) Applying the three scalar equations (based on one vector
equation) of equilibrium.

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 APPLICATIONS

The weights of the

electromagnet and
the loads are
given.
Can you determine
the forces in the
chains?

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 APPLICATIONS
(continued)

The shear leg derrick is

to be designed to lift a
maximum of 500 kg of
fish.
What is the effect of
different offset
distances on the forces
in the cable and derrick
legs?

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 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 ( F = 0 ) .
This equation can be written in terms of its x,
y and z components. This form is written as
follows.
(Fx) i + (Fy) j + (Fz) k = 0
This vector equation will be satisfied only when
Fx = 0
Fy = 0
Fz = 0
These equations are the three scalar equations of equilibrium.
They are valid at any point in equilibrium and allow you to
solve for up to three unknowns.
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 EXAMPLE #1
Given: F1, F2 and F3.
Find: The force F required to
keep particle O in
equilibrium.

Plan:
1) Draw a FBD of particle O.
2) Write the unknown force as
F = {Fx i + Fy j + Fz k} N
3) Write F1, F2 and F3 in Cartesian vector form.
4) Apply the three equilibrium equations to solve for the three
unknowns Fx, Fy, and Fz.

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 EXAMPLE #1
(continued)

F1 = {400 j}N
F2 = {-800 k}N
F3 = F3 (rB/ rB)
= 700 N [(-2 i 3 j + 6k)/(22 + 32 + 62)]
= {-200 i 300 j + 600 k} N
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 EXAMPLE #1
(continued)
Equating the respective i, j, k components to zero, we have
Fx = -200 + FX = 0; solving gives Fx = 200 N
Fy = 400 300 + Fy = 0 ; solving gives Fy = -100 N
Fz = -800 + 600 + Fz = 0 ; solving gives Fz = 200 N

Thus, F = {200 i 100 j + 200 k} N

Using this force vector, you can determine the forces magnitude
and coordinate direction angles as needed.

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 SPRINGS, CABLES, AND PULLEYS

Spring Force = spring constant * With a

deformation, or frictionless
F=k* S pulley, T1 = T2.
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 Non-Ideal (Real) Spring
3000

2500
F= 2000X+ 750
Spring Force F (N)

2000

1500

1000

500

F1
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2

Extended or Stretched length X (m)

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 Calculate the total extension of the spring box between point 5 to 1.

F= 100 N
K=1000 N/m

5 4 3 2 1

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 EXAMPLE #2

Given: A 100 Kg crate, as shown, is

supported by three cords. One
cord has a spring in it.
Find: Tension in cords AC and AD
and the stretch of the spring.

Plan:
1) Draw a free body diagram of Point A. Let the unknown force
magnitudes be FB, FC, F D .
2) Represent each force in the Cartesian vector form.
3) Apply equilibrium equations to solve for the three unknowns.
4) Find the spring stretch using FB = K * S .
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 EXAMPLE #2 (continued)

FB = FB N i FBD at A

FC = FC N (cos 120 i + cos 135 j + cos 60 k)

= {- 0.5 FC i 0.707 FC j + 0.5 FC k} N
FD = FD(rAD/rAD)
= FD N[(-1 i + 2 j + 2 k)/(12 + 22 + 22) ]
= {- 0.3333 FD i + 0.667 FD j + 0.667 FD k}N
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 EXAMPLE #2 (continued)
The weight is W = (- mg) k = (-100 kg * 9.81 m/sec2) k = {- 981 k} N
Now equate the respective i , j , k components to zero.
Fx = FB 0.5FC 0.333FD = 0
Fy = - 0.707 FC + 0.667 FD = 0
Fz = 0.5 FC + 0.667 FD 981 N = 0
Solving the three simultaneous equations yields
FC = 813 N
FD = 862 N
FB = 693.7 N
The spring stretch is (from F = k * s)
s = FB / k = 693.7 N / 1500 N/m = 0.462 m
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 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
Given: A 150 Kg plate, as shown,
is supported by three
cables and is in
equilibrium.
Find: Tension in each of the
cables.

Plan:
1) Draw a free body diagram of Point A. Let the unknown force
magnitudes be FB, FC, F D .
2) Represent each force in the Cartesian vector form.
3) Apply equilibrium equations to solve for the three unknowns.
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 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)
z

FBD of Point A: W

y
x FD
FB FC

W = load or weight of plate = (mass)(gravity)

= 150 (9.81) = 1472 N
FB = FB(rAB/rAB) = FB N (4 i 6 j 12 k)m/(14 m)
FC = FC (rAC/rAC) = FC(-6 i 4 j 12 k)m/(14 m)
FD = FD( rAD/rAD) = FD(-4 i + 6 j 12 k)m/(14 m)
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 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)
The particle A is in equilibrium, hence
FB + FC + FD + W = 0

Now equate the respective i, j, k components to zero (i.e.,

apply the three scalar equations of equilibrium).
Fx = (4/14)FB (6/14)FC (4/14)FD = 0
Fy = (-6/14)FB (4/14)FC + (6/14)FD = 0
Fz = (-12/14)FB (12/14)FC (12/14)FD + 1472 = 0
Solving the three simultaneous equations gives
FB = 858 N
FC = 0 N
FD = 858 N
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 ATTENTION QUIZ
Z
1. Four forces act at point A and point
F3 = 10 lb
A is in equilibrium. Select the correct
P
force vector P. F2 = 10 lb

A) {-20 i + 10 j 10 k}lb F1 = 20 lb A y

B) {-20 i 10 j 10 k} lb
X
C) {+ 20 i 10 j 10 k}lb
D) None of the above.
2. In 3-D, when you dont know the direction or the magnitude
of a force, how many unknowns do you have corresponding
to that force?
A) One B) Two C) Three D) Four

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