Mechanics (Statics and Dynamics)

MCE 111

Equilibrium of A Particle
Mohammed Khalil Ibrahim, Ph.D.
Professor & Aerospace Engineering Program Coordinator
mohammed.khalil@ejust.edu.eg
Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology
Contents
• Idealizations
• Equilibrium of a Particle
• The Free Body Diagram (FBD)
• Coplanar Force Systems
• Three dimensions Force System
Lecture Objectives
• Draw a free body diagram (FBD)
• Apply equations of equilibrium to solve a 2-D problem.
• Drawing a 3-D free body diagram
• Applying the three scalar equations (based on one vector
equation) of equilibrium.
Idealizations

Models or idealizations are used in mechanics in order to simplify

application of the theory. Here we will consider three important
idealizations.
• Particle. A particle has a mass, but a size that can be neglected.
• Rigid Body. A rigid body can be considered as a combination of a
large number of particles in which all the particles remain at a
fixed distance from one another, both before and after applying a
load.
• Concentrated Force. A concentrated force represents the effect of
a loading which is assumed to act at a point on a body.
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 forces in
the straps. How could you find those
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 the one
being used here, 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

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.
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.
y

FBD at A FB
30˚A
A x
FD

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
FB net force at A is zero.
30˚
FD A A x So FB + FC + FD = 0
A
FC = 392.4 N 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 (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 ←
SIMPLE SPRINGS

Spring Force = spring constant * deformation of spring

or F=k*s
CABLES AND PULLEYS

With a frictionless pulley and

cable

T1 = T2.
T1 Cable can support only a tension or “pulling”
T2 force, and this force always acts in the
direction of the cable.
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.
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
QUIZ
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 
EXAMPLE I

Given: The box weighs 550 lb

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 I (continued)
FBD at point A
y FC
FB
5 3
30˚ 4
A x

FD = 550 lb

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 lb = 0
Solving the above equations, we get;
FB = 478 lb and FC = 518 lb
EXAMPLE II

Given: The mass of cylinder C

is 40 kg and geometry is
as shown.
Find: The tensions in cables
DE, EA, and EB.

Plan:
1. Draw a FBD for point E.
2. Apply the E-of-E to solve for the forces in
cables DE, EA, and EB.
EXAMPLE II (continued)
FBD at point E
y
TEB = 40*9.81 N
TED 30˚
E x

TEA

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

+ →  F x = − TED + (40*9.81) cos 30° = 0
+   F y = (40*9.81) sin 30° − TEA = 0
Solving the above equations, we get;
TED = 340 N  and TEA = 196 N 
CONCEPT QUIZ

1000 lb
1000 lb 1000 lb
(A) (B) (C)

1) Assuming you know the geometry of the ropes, in which system above
can you NOT determine forces in the cables?
CONCEPT QUIZ
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. 1000 lb
EXAMPLE III
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.
EXAMPLE III (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
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.

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
ATTENTION QUIZ

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

forces in the x-direction ( FX) is ___ .
20 lb 50°
Use a sign 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
Three Dimension Force Systems
APPLICATIONS

You know the weight of the

electromagnet and its load.
But, you need to know the
forces in the chains to see if it
is a safe assembly. How would
you do this?
APPLICATIONS (continued)

This shear-leg derrick is to

Offset distance be designed to lift a
maximum of 200 kg of
fish.
How would you find the
effect of different offset
distances on the forces in
the cable and derrick
legs?
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 for any point in equilibrium and
allow you to solve for up to three unknowns.
QUIZ
1. Particle P is in equilibrium with five (5) forces acting on it
in 3-D space. How many scalar equations of equilibrium
can be written for point P?
A) 2 B) 3 C) 4
D) 5 E) 6
QUIZ
2. In 3-D, when a particle is in equilibrium, which of the
following equations apply?
A) ( Fx) i + ( Fy) j + ( Fz) k = 0
B)  F = 0
C)  Fx =  Fy =  Fz = 0
D) All of the above.
E) None of the above.
EXAMPLE IV

Given: The four forces and

geometry shown.
Find: The tension developed
in cables AB, AC, and
AD.
Plan:
1) Draw a FBD of particle A.
2) Write the unknown cable forces TB, TC , and TD in Cartesian
vector form.
3) Apply the three equilibrium equations to solve for the tension
in cables.
EXAMPLE IV (continued)
FBD at A
Solution: TC

TB = TB i TD

TC = − (TC cos 60) sin30 i

+ (TC cos 60) cos30 j
+ TC sin 60 k TB

TC = TC (-0.25 i +0.433 j +0.866 k )

TD = TD cos 120 i + TD cos 120 j +TD cos 45 k

TD = TD (− 0.5 i − 0.5 j + 0.7071 k )

W = -300 k
EXAMPLE IV (continued)
Applying equilibrium equations:

FR = 0 = TB i
+ TC (− 0.25 i +0.433 j + 0.866 k )
+ TD (− 0.5 i − 0.5 j + 0.7071 k )
− 300 k

Equating the respective i, j, k components to zero, we

have
Fx = TB – 0.25 TC – 0.5 TD = 0 (1)
Fy = 0.433 TC – 0.5 TD = 0 (2)
Fz = 0.866 TC + 0.7071 TD – 300 = 0 (3)
Using (2) and (3), we can determine TC = 203 lb, TD = 176 lb
Substituting TC and TD into (1), we can find TB = 139 lb
EXAMPLE V

Given: A 600 N load is

supported by three
cords with the geometry
as shown.
Find: The tension in cords
AB, AC and AD.
Plan:
1) Draw a free body diagram of Point A. Let the unknown force
magnitudes be FB, FC, FD .
2) Represent each force in its Cartesian vector form.
3) Apply equilibrium equations to solve for the three unknowns.
EXAMPLE V (continued)
FBD at A z
FD FC

2
m
1 30˚ y
2 A
m
m FB
x
600 N
FB = FB (sin 30 i + cos 30 j) N
= {0.5 FB i + 0.866 FB j} N
FC = – FC i N
FD = FD (rAD /rAD)
= FD { (1 i – 2 j + 2 k) / (12 + 22 + 22)½ } N
= { 0.333 FD i – 0.667 FD j + 0.667 FD k } N
EXAMPLE V (continued)
FBD at A
Now equate the respective i, j, and
z
k components to zero. FD FC

 Fx = 0.5 FB – FC + 0.333 FD = 0 2
m y
 Fy = 0.866 FB – 0.667 FD = 0 1
m 2 A 30
˚
m FB
 Fz = 0.667 FD – 600 = 0 x
600 N

Solving the three simultaneous equations yields

FC = 646 N (since it is positive, it is as assumed, e.g., in tension)
FD = 900 N
FB = 693 N
CONCEPT QUIZ

1. In 3-D, when you know the direction of a force but not its
magnitude, how many unknowns corresponding to that
force remain?
A) One B) Two C) Three D) Four
CONCEPT QUIZ
2. If a particle has 3-D forces acting on it and is in static
equilibrium, the components of the resultant force ( Fx, 
Fy, and  Fz ) ___ .
A) have to sum to zero, e.g., -5 i + 3 j + 2 k
B) have to equal zero, e.g., 0 i + 0 j + 0 k
C) have to be positive, e.g., 5 i + 5 j + 5 k
D) have to be negative, e.g., -5 i - 5 j - 5 k
ATTENTION QUIZ
z
1. Four forces act at point A and
point A is in equilibrium. Select F3 = 10 lb
P
the correct force vector P. F2 = 10
lb
A) {-20 i + 10 j – 10 k}lb F1 = 20 lb A y
B) {-10 i – 20 j – 10 k} lb
x
C) {+ 20 i – 10 j – 10 k}lb
D) None of the above.
ATTENTION QUIZ
2. In 3-D, when you don’t know the direction and the
magnitude of a force, how many unknowns do you have
corresponding to that force?
A) One B) Two C) Three D) Four
Any Questions