Applied Mechanics 2014-15

Practice Problems on Composition of forces

1.

In the square OABC of side 2m, O, A and B are the points (0,0), (2,0) and (2,2) respectively. Forces of

5 2
magnitude 5 N, 8 N, 3 N and

N act along OA, BA, OC and AC respectively. Show that this system of

6 2
forces is equivalent to a couple and find its moment. If a fifth force of magnitude

N acts along OB,

find the equation of the line of action of the resultant of the enlarged system.
Ans: 6 Nm clockwise; y = x +1

2.

ABCD is a rectangle with AB = 70 cm and AD = 20 cm. Forces of 5 N, 2 N, 3 N and 6 N act along AB,
BC, CD and AD respectively. Find the single force that could replace this system and find where its line of
action cuts AB. The force along AB is now replaced by a force through A which reduces the system to a
couple. Find the magnitude and direction of this force and the moment of the couple.
Ans: 8.25 N , 7558' to AB , 25 cm from A . 8.54 N , 6927' to AB, 2 Nm in the sense ABCD.

3.

Forces of 5N and 3N act along the sides AB and AC respectively of an equilateral triangle ABC of side 12
m. Find the magnitude and direction of their resultant. The line of action of the resultant intersects BC at D.
By taking moments about D, or otherwise, find the length of BD.
Ans: 7N at 38.20 to AC; 4.5 m.

4.

A rectangle is defined by the four points A(0,0), B(5,0), C(5,3) and D(0,3), distances being measured in
metres. Forces of magnitude 6N, 8N, 4N and 2N act along AB, BC, CD and DA respectively in directions
indicated by the letters. Calculate:
(a) Magnitude of the resultant of this system of forces
(b) Angle between the line of action of the resultant and the x-axis. The line of action of this resultant cuts
the x-axis at (a,0).
(c) Find a value for a by consideration of moments about A. Hence determine the equation of the line of
action of this resultant.
1

2 10
Ans:(a)

N at tan

3
to x-axis

(b) 71.6
(c) a = 8.66 m , y = 3x - 26
Page 1/2

Applied Mechanics 2014-15

5 2
5.

The square ABCD has each side of length 6 m. Forces of magnitude 1, 2, 8, 5,

2 2
and

act along AB, BC, CD, DA, AC and DB respectively, in the directions indicated by the order of the letters.
Prove that these forces are equivalent to a couple. Calculate the magnitude and sense of this couple.
Ans: 48 Nm in sense ABCD.

5 2
6.

OABC is a square of side 1 m. Forces of magnitude 2, 3, 4 and

N respectively in directions indicated

by the order of the letters and a couple of moment 7 Nm acts in the plane of the square in the sense OCBA.
Find the magnitude and direction of the resultant of the system and the equation of its line of action referred
to OA and OC as axes. What is the magnitude and direction of the least force introduced at A if the resultant
of the original system and this new force is to pass through O?

tan 1 8

65
Ans:

N at

to OA, line of action 3/8 m from O in direction OA & 3 m from O in direction CO

so y = 8x + 3 ; 3 N in direction BA .
7.

A rectangle ABCD has AB = 3cm and BC = 4cm. Forces, all measured in newtons and of magnitudes 2, 4,
6, 8 and k , act along AB, BC, CD, DA and AC respectively, the direction of each force being shown by the
order of the letters. The resultant of the five forces is parallel to BD. Find k and show that the resultant has
magnitude (5/6) N. Find the distance from A of the line of action of the resultant.
Ans: k = (35/6) ; 43.2 cm
8. A rigid rectangular lamina ABCD, with AB = 4a and BC = 3a, is subject to forces of magnitudes 10P, P,
2P, 3P acting along CA, AD, DC, CB respectively in the directions indicated by the order of the letters .
(i) Find the magnitude of the resultant of the four forces.
(ii) Find the tangent of the acute angle between the line of action of the resultant and the edge AB of the
lamina.
(iii) find the distance from A of the point where the line of action of the resultant meets AB.
(iv) Indicate clearly on a diagram the line of action and the direction of the resultant.
(v) Find the magnitude and sense of the couple G which, if added to the system , would cause the
resultant force to act through E, the midpoint of CD.
(vi) in the case when G is not applied, find forces S along AB, T along AD and U along BC which, when
added to the system, would produce equilibrium.

Ans: (i) 10 P (ii) 4/3 (iii) 9a/4, (v) 30a in sense ABCD (vi) 6P N , (7/2) P N , (9/2) P N

Page 2/2

Applied Mechanics 2014-15

Page 3/2