DJJ3053

ENGINEERING MECHANICS
CHAPTER 2 :
FORCE VECTOR
Luqman Nul Hakim Bin Juwara
Jabatan Kejuruteraan Mekanikal
Politeknik Muadzam Shah
luqman@pms.edu.my

Force Vector

This topic introduces the differentiation between scalars and vector, vector operations, and analysis of force vector
in plane and space.

Learning Outcomes (LO)

Upon completion of this topic, students should be able to :

2.1 Distinguish scalars and vectors.
2.1.1 Differentiate between scalars and vectors
2.1.2 Distinguish between free vectors, sliding vectors, fixed vectors.
2.2 Explain vectors and vector operations.
2.2.1 Calculate addition of vectors
2.2.2 Calculate subtraction of vectors
2.2.3 Determine resolution of vectors
2.3 Explain rectangular components.
2.3.1 Explain two forces acting on a particle
2.4 Determine the resultant force of coplanar forces by addition
2.4.1 Explain scalar notation
2.4.2 Explain Cartesian vector notation
2.4.3 Determine coplanar forces and resultant force using scalar notation and Cartesian notation
2.5 Explain position vectors and x, y, z coordinates
2.5.1 Explain position vectors and x, y, z coordinate
2.6 Analyze the force vector directed along the line
2.6.1 Explain the force vector directed along the line
2.6.2 Determine the force vector directed along the line

Force Vector
Scalars
A quantity characterized by a positive or negative number

Example :
1. Length
2. Mass
3. Time
4. Pressure
5. Temperature

Symbol : A

Force Vector
Vector
A quantity that has both a magnitude & a direction
Example :
1. Force
2. Position
3. Moment
4. Velocity

Symbol :

or
A
A

Types Of Vectors
Free Vector
May be moved anywhere in space provided it maintains the
same direction & magnitude.

Types Of Vectors
Sliding Vector
May be applied at any point along its line/path of action.

Types Of Vectors
Fixed Vector
Must remain at the same point of application.

2 Forces Acting On A Particle

Fy
F

F=Fx + Fy
Fx

Resolution of Vectors
Parallelogram Law

A
B

R=A+B

B
Triangle Rule (Trigonometry): Head-to-tail

B
R

R=A+B

Vector Addition

Vector Subtraction

Example 1
The ring shown in figure shown below is subjected to two forces, F1
and F2. If it is required that the resultant force have a magnitude of
1kN and be directed vertically downward, determine the magnitude
of F1 and F2 provided 30

Ans: F1 653 N

F2 446 N

Solution:
F1
1000 N

sin 30 sin 130

F1 653 N
F2
1000 N

sin 20 sin 130

F2 446 N

Example 2
The vertical force F acts downward at A on the
2-membered frame. Determine the magnitudes of the two
components F directed along the axes of AB and AC.
Set F = 500N.

Ans: FAB 448 N

FAC 366 N

June 2015 Session : 1(b)

Resolve the 30 N forces into component along the u and v
axes as shown in figure below? (6 marks)

Ans: Fu 21.96 N

Fv 15.53 N

Example 3
The screw eye is subjected to two forces, F1 and F2.
Determine the magnitude and direction of the
resultant force.

Ans: F 213 N
R

54.8

Solution
Parallelogram Law
Unknown: magnitude of FR and angle

Solution
Trigonometry Law
Law of Cosines

100 N 2 150 N 2 2100 N 150 N cos 115

10000 22500 30000 0.4226 212.6 N 213N

FR

Law of Sines
150 N 212.6 N

sin
sin 115
150 N
0.9063
sin
212.6 N
39.8

Solution
Direction of FR measured from the horizontal
39.8 15
54.8

Example 4
Determine the magnitude of the resultant force FR = F1 + F2
and its direction, measured counterclockwise from the positive
x axis.

Ans: F 867 N
R

108

Example 5
Determine the magnitude of the resultant force FR = F1 + F2
and its direction, measured counterclockwise from the positive
x axis.

Ans: F 393.2 N
R

353

Scalar Notation
F Fx Fy
Fx F cos and
Fy F sin

Cartesian Vector Notation

F Fxi Fy j

Coplanar Force & Resultant Force

Cartesian vector notation:
F1 F1x i F1 y j
F2 F2 xi F2 y j
F3 F3 xi F3 y j
FR F1 F2 F3

FRx i FRy j

Scalar notation:
FRx F1x F2 x F3 x
FRy F1 y F2 y F3 y

Magnitude; FR F F
2
Rx

Direction; tan

-1

FRy
FRx

2
Ry

Example 6
The link is subjected to two forces F1 and F2. Determine
the magnitude and orientation of the resultant force.

Ans: F 629 N
R

67.9

Solution
Scalar Notation
FRx Fx :
FRx 600 cos 30 N 400 sin 45 N 236.8 N
FRy Fy :
FRy 600 sin 30 N 400 cos 45 N 582.8 N

FR

236.8N 2 582.8N 2

582.8 N

tan
67.9
236.8 N
1

629 N

Solution
Cartesian Vector Notation

F1 = { 600cos30i + 600sin30j } N
F2 = { -400sin45i + 400cos45j } N
Thus,

FR = F1 + F2
= (600cos30N - 400sin45N)i
+ (600sin30N + 400cos45N)j
= {236.8i + 582.8j}N
The magnitude and direction of FR are determined in the same manner
as before.

Example 7
Determine the magnitude of the resultant force and its
direction, measured clockwise from the positive x axis

Ans: F 97.8 N
R

46.5

Example 8
Determine the magnitude of the resultant force and its
direction, measured counterclockwise from positive x axis

Ans: F 546 N
R

253

June 2012 Session : 1(a)

Refer to the figure, determine the angle of for
connecting member A to the plate so that the resultant
force of FA and FB is directed horizontally to the right. Also,
what is the magnitude of the resultant force? (10 marks)

Ans:

54.9

FR 10.4 kN

June 2012 Session : 1(b)

Based on the figure, if 30 and T 6 kN , express the
force in the Cartesian form and determine the magnitude
of resultant force acting on the eyebolt and its direction
from the positive x-axis (15 marks)

Ans: F 8.67 kN
R

3.04

June 2014 Session : 1(b) ii

Determine the magnitude
and direction of the resultant
force of the three forces
(11 marks)

Ans:

FR 463 lb

83.49

June 2015 Session : 1(c)

The link in figure below is subjected to three forces F1,
F2 and F3. Determine the magnitude FR and direction
is measured as counterclockwise from the positive x axis.
Apply the resultant force as a Cartesian vector.
(13 marks)

Ans: FR 24i 20 j

39.8

3 FORCES ACTING ON A PARTICLE

Rectangular Components
of a Vector

Right-Handed
Coordinate System

z
x
y

Cartesian Vector:
A = Axi + Ayj + AZk

Magnitude of a Cartesian Vector:

A Ax2 Ay2 Az2

Direction of a Cartesian Vector:

Ay
Az
Ax
cos

cos
cos
A
A
A

Unit Vector:

uA = A /A = (Ax/A)i + (Ay/A)j + (AZ/A)k

where magnitude of A,
Coordinates: (x,y,z)

A Ax2 Ay2 Az2

Position Vectors: r = xi + yj + zk

Force Vector Directed along a Line

F = F u = F (r/r)

Example 9
With a force of 350 N, acting on the support A, as
Cartesian Vector, determine its direction

Ans:

F 150i 100 j 300k N

64.6
107
149

Solution
r (3 0)i (2 0) j (1.5 7.5)k
3i 2 j 6k m

3 m 2 2 m 2 (6 m)2

r 3 2 6
u i - j- k
r 7 7 7
F Fu
3 2 6
350 N i - j - k
7 7 7
150i - 100j - 300kN

7m

3
7
2

cos 1
107
7

cos 1 64.6

149
7

cos 1

Example 10
The roof is supported by cables as shown below. If the
cables exert force FAB = 100N and FAB = 120N on the wall
hook at A as shown, determine the magnitude of the
resultant force acting at A

Ans:
FR 217 N

Solution
rAB (4m 0)i (0 - 0)j (0 - 4m)k
4i - 4km

rAB

42 42

5.66 m

rAB
4
4
100 N
FAB 100 N
ik
5.66 5.66
rAB
70.7i - 70.7kN

Solution
rAC (4m 0)i (2m - 0)j (0 - 4m)k
4i 2j - 4km

rAC

42 22 42

6m

r
4 2 4
FAC 120 N AC 120 N i j - k
6 6 6
rAC
80i 40j - 80kN

FR FAB FAC

70.7i - 70.7kN 80i 40j - 80kN

150.7i - 40j - 150.7kN

FR

150.7 2 402 150.7 2

217 N

Example 11
Two tractors pull on the tree with the forces shown.
Represent each force as a Cartesian vector and then
determine the magnitude and coordinate direction angles
of the resultant force

Ans:

FR 236 lb

64.3
92.5
154

Example 12
The tower is held in place by three cables. If the force of
each cable acting on the tower is shown, determine the
magnitude and coordinate direction angles of resultant
force. Take x = 20m, y = 15m

Ans:

FR 1.5kN

77.6
90.6
168

Thank You
For Listening
QUESTION
&
ANSWER SESSION