CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION &
RESULTANT OF COPLANAR CONCURRENT
FORCE SYSTEM
 1 INTRODUCTION

Definition of Mechanics :

In its broadest sense the term Mechanics may be defined

as the Science which describes and predicts the conditions
of rest or motion of bodies under the action of forces.

This Course on Engineering Mechanics comprises of

Mechanics of Rigid bodies and the sub-divisions that come
under it.
 2 Branches of Mechanics
Engineering Mechanics

Mechanics of Solids Mechanics of Fluids

Rigid Bodies Deformable

Ideal Viscous Compressible
Bodies Fluids
Fluids Fluids

Statics Dynamics Theory of

Strength of Theory of
Materials Elasticity Plasticity

Kinematics Kinetics
 3 Fundamental Concepts and Axioms

Rigid body :

It is defined as a definite amount of matter the parts of which are

fixed in position relative to one another. Actually solid bodies are
never rigid; they deform under the action of applied forces. In those
cases where this deformation is negligible compared to the size of the
body, the body may be considered to be rigid.
 4 Particle

A body whose dimensions are negligible when compared to the

distances involved in the discussion of its motion is called a Particle.
For example, while studying the motion of sun and earth, they are
considered as particles since their dimensions are small when
compared with the distance between them.
 5 Space

The concept of space is associated with the notion of the position of

a point, defined using a frame of reference, with respect to which the
position of the point is fixed through three measures specific to the
frame of reference. These three measures are known as the co-
ordinates of the point, in that particular frame of reference.

x
 6

Mass :
It is a measure of the quantity of matter contained in a body. It
may also be treated as a measure of inertia, or resistance to change
the state of rest, or of uniform motion along a straight line, of a body.
Two bodies of the same mass will be attracted by the earth in the
same manner.
Continuum :
A particle can be divided into molecules, atoms, etc. It is not
feasible to solve any engineering problem by treating a body as a
conglomeration of such discrete particles. A body is assumed to be
made up of a continuous distribution of matter. This concept is called
Continuum.
 7 Force

It is that agent which causes or tends to cause, changes or tends to

change the state of rest or of motion of a mass. A force is fully
defined only when the following four characteristics are known:

(i) Magnitude
(ii) Direction
(iii) Point of application and
(iv) Line of action.
 8 Scalars and Vectors

A quantity is said to be a scalar if it is completely defined by its

magnitude alone.
Example : Length, Area, and Time.

Whereas a quantity is said to be a vector if it is completely defined

only when its magnitude and direction are specified.
Example : Force, Velocity, and Acceleration.
 9 Classification of force system

Force system

Coplanar Forces Non-Coplanar Forces

Concurrent Non-concurrent Concurrent Non-concurrent

Like parallel Unlike parallel Like parallel Unlike parallel

A force that can replace a set of forces, in a force system,

and cause the same external effect is called the Resultant.

( More detailed discussion on Resultant will follow in Chapter 2 )

 10 Axioms of Mechanics
(1) Parallelogram law of forces : It is stated as follows : If two forces
acting at a point are represented in magnitude and direction by the
two adjacent sides of a parallelogram, then the resultant of these two
forces is represented in magnitude and direction by the diagonal of
the parallelogram passing through the same point.

B C
P2 R


O
P1 A

Contd..
 11

Contd.. B C
P2 R


O
P1 A
In the above figure, P1 and P2, represented by the sides OA and OB have
R as their resultant represented by the diagonal OC of the parallelogram
OACB.
It can be shown that the magnitude of the resultant is given by:
R = P12 + P22 + 2P1P2Cos
Inclination of the resultant w.r.t. the force P1 is given by:

= tan-1 [( P2 Sin ) / ( P1 + P2 Cos )]

 12

(2) Principle of Transmissibility : It is stated as follows :

The external effect of a force on a rigid body is the same for all
points of application along its line of action.

A B P P
P P
O

For example, consider the above figure. The motion of the block
will be the same if a force of magnitude P is applied as a push at
A or as a pull at B.
The same is true when the force is applied at a point O.
 13
(3) Newtons Laws of motion:
(i) First Law :
If the resultant force acting on a particle is zero, the particle will
remain at rest (if originally at rest) or will move with constant speed
in a straight line (if originally in uniform motion).
(ii) Second Law :
If the resultant force acting on a particle is not zero, the particle
will have an acceleration proportional to the magnitude of the
resultant and in the direction of this resultant i.e., F a ,or
F = m.a , where F, m, and a, respectively represent the resultant
force, mass, and acceleration of the particle.
(iii) Third law:
The forces of action and reaction between bodies in contact have
the same magnitude, same line of action, and opposite sense.
 14

Note :
1. Axioms are nothing but principles or postulates that are self
evident facts which cannot be proved mathematically but can only be
verified experimentally and/or demonstrated to be true.

2. The three basic quantities of mechanics are length, time, and force.
Throughout this Course we adopt SI units and therefore they are
expressed in meters, seconds, and Newtons, written as m, s, and N
respectively.
3. The external effect of a force on a body is manifest in a change in
the state of inertia of the body. While the internal effect of a force on a
body is in the form of deformation.
 15
RESULTANT OF CONCURRENT COPLANAR FORCES
Composition of forces and Resolution of force
Resultant, R : It is defined as that single force which can replace a
set of forces, in a force system, and cause the same external effect.

Y-Direction
R
F2 Fy

F1

Fx X-Direction
F3
In the above diagram F1, F2, F3 form a system of concurrent
coplanar forces. If R is the resultant of the force system, then its
magnitude and direction are given by:
Contd..
 16
Contd.. (i) Magnitude, R = (F )2 + (F )2
x y

(ii) Direction, = tan 1(Fy / Fx) , where:

Fx = Algebraic summation of x-components of all individual forces.

Fy = Algebraic summation of y-components of all individual forces.

= Angle measured to the resultant w.r.t. x-direction.

The process of obtaining the resultant of a given force system is

called Composition of forces.

Note: The orientation of x-y frame of reference is arbitrary.

It may be chosen to suit a particular problem.
 17 Component of a force :
Fx
F
F
Fy Fy Fy
F
Fx Fx
Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3
Component of a force, in simple terms, is the effect of a force in a
certain direction. A force can be split into infinite number of components
along infinite directions. Usually, a force is split into two mutually
perpendicular components, one along the x-direction and the other along
y-direction (generally horizontal and vertical, respectively). Such
components that are mutually perpendicular are called Rectangular
Components.
The process of obtaining the components of a force is
called Resolution of a force.
 18 Sign Convention for force components:
y The adjacent diagram gives the
y
x sign convention for force components,
+ve
i.e., force components that are directed
x
along positive x-direction are taken +ve
+ve for summation along the x-direction.
Also force components that are directed along +ve y-direction
are taken +ve for summation along the y-direction.

Oblique Components of a force:

When the components of a force are not mutually
perpendicular they are called Oblique Components.
Consider the following case.
Contd..
 19

Contd.. F2 Let F1 and F2 be the oblique components of a

F force F. The components F1 and F2 can be
F1 found using the triangle law of forces, which
states as follows: If two forces acting at a
point can be represented both in magnitude
and direction, by the two sides of a triangle
taken in tip to tail order, the third side of the triangle represents
both in magnitude and direction the resultant force F, the sense of
the same is defined by its tail at the tail of the first force and its
tip at the tip of the second force.

F1 / Sin = F2 / Sin = F / Sin(180 - - )

F F2

F1
 20

Numerical Problems & Solutions

(1A) Obtain the resultant of the concurrent coplanar forces acting
as shown in Fig. 1A.
Solution:
105 kN Fx = + 15 Cos 15 75 45 Sin 35
15 kN +ve
+ 60 Cos 40
150 = - 40.359 kN
75 kN 0
40 = 40.359 kN
0
35
45 kN 60 kN
Fy = + 15 Sin 15 + 105 45 Cos 35
Fig.1A +ve
60 Sin 40
= + 33.453 kN
Contd..
 21
Contd.. (1A) 105 kN
15 kN
150
75 kN 400
0
35 60 kN
45 kN
Fig.1A
R = ( Fx )2 + (Fy)2 = (- 40.359)2 + (33.453) 2
= tan-1(Fy/ Fx)
R
Answer:
Magnitude,R = 52.42 kN Fy
o
Inclination, = 39.69
(w.r.t. X direction) Fx
 22

50kN 100kN
(1B) Obtain the resultant of the
120
2 concurrent coplanar forces acting
3
1 30 as shown in Fig. 1B.
2 75kN 50 kN
100 kN
25kN
Fig. 1B o
2
26.31
3
Solution:
1 30o
= tan-1(2/3)=33.69
2 75 kN
= tan-1(2/1) = 63.43
25kN
Fx = -50 Cos 26.31- 100 Cos33.69 25 Cos 63.43 + 75 Cos 30
+ ve
= -74.26kN =74.26kN Contd..
 23
Contd..
50 kN
100 kN
(1B) 2
26.31o
3
30o
1
75 kN
2
25kN

FY = 50sin26.31- 100sin 33.69 75sin30 25sin63.43

+ ve

= -93.17kN = 93.17kN
Contd..
 24

Contd..
(1B) 50kN
100 kN
26.31o 33.69

63.43 30o

75 kN
Fx 25kN

Answers:
Fy
R R = (Fx) 2 + (Fy) 2 = 119.14 kN
= tan-1(Fy / Fx ) = 51.44o
 25

(2) 150N
A system of concurrent coplanar forces has 200N
110
five forces of which only four are shown in 50
Fig.2. If the resultant is a force of magnitude
R = 250 N acting rightwards along the 45
horizontal, find the unknown fifth force. Fig. 2
120N 50N
Solution:
- Assume the fifth force F5 in the 150N 200N
110 F5
first quadrant, at an angle , as
50
shown. 20
- The 150 N force makes an angle 45 R =250 N
of 20o w.r.t. horizontal
50N
120N Contd..
 26
Contd..
150N 200N
110 F5
50
20
45 R =250 N

50N
120N
FX = R
+ve

200 cos 50 150 cos 20 50 cos 45 +F5 cos = 250.

F5 cos = +297.75 N

Contd..
 27

Contd..
150N 200N
FY = 0. 110 F5
+ve 50
20
F5 sin + 200sin 50 + 150 sin 20
45 R =250 N
120 + 50 sin 45 = 0
50N
F5 sin = -119.87N = 119.87N 120N
tan = F5sin /F5cos =0.402 => = 21.90

F5cos = 297.75N Answers = 21.90

= 21.90
F5= 320.97N
F5 = 320.97N
F5sin = 119.87N
 28

(3) A system of concurrent coplanar forces has four forces

of which only three are shown in Fig.3. If the resultant is a
force R = 100N acting as indicated, obtain the unknown
fourth force.
75N
25N
60
70

40 45
Fig. 3
50N
R=100N Contd..
 29

Contd.. - Assume the fourth force F4 in the 1st quadrant, making an

angle as shown
75
N
25N F4
60
70

40 45
R=100N 50N
Fx = - Rcos40
+ve

F4cos + 75cos70 50cos45 25sin60 = -100cos40

=> F4cos = - 45.25N => F4cos = 45.25N
 30
Contd.. 75N
25N F4
60
70

40 45

R=100N 50N

Fy = - Rsin40
+ve

F4sin + 75sin70+25cos60+50sin45 = - 100sin40

=> F4sin = -182.61N => F4sin = 182.61N

Contd..
 31
Contd..
Answers:
F4cos = 45.25N
= tan-1(F4sin /F4cos)
F4sin =
= 76.08 182.61N
= 76.08
& F4 =188.13N
F4=188.13N
 32

.(4) The resultant of a system of concurrent coplanar forces is a force

acting vertically upwards. Find the magnitude of the resultant, and the
force F4 acting as shown in Fig. 4.

10 kN F4
70
60

45 30

5 kN
15 kN

Fig. 4
Contd..
 33

Contd..
R
Solution: F4
10 kN
70
60

45 30

5 kN
Fx = 0 15 kN
+ve Fig. 4
F4 sin70 10cos 60 15cos 45 5cos 30 = 0
F4sin70 = 19.94 => F4 = 21.22kN
Contd..
 34

Contd.. 10 kN R F4
Solution: 70
60
45 30

5 kN
15 kN
Fy = +R
+ve Fig. 4
F4cos70 + 10sin60 15sin45 + 5sin30 = +R Answers:

=> +R - 0.342F4 = 0.554 F4 = 21.22 kN

Substituting for F4 , R= +7.81kN R= +7.81kN
 35

(5) Obtain the magnitudes of the forces P and Q if the resultant of the
system shown in Fig. 5 is zero .
100N
Q

40 70
60
45
50N
P

Fig. 5
Contd..
 36

Contd.. 100N
Q
40 70

60
45 50N
P
For R to be = zero,

Fx = 0 and Fy = 0 Fig. 5

Fx = 0
+ve
-Psin45 Qcos40 + 100cos70 + 50cos60 = 0

=> 0.707P + 0.766Q = 59.2

Contd..
 37

Contd.. 100N
Q

40 70

45 60

P 50N

Fig. 5 Solving (a) & (b)

Fy = 0
+ve Answers:

-Pcos45 + Qsin40 + 100sin70 50sin60 = 0 P = 77.17 N

&
=> -0.707P + 0.642Q = -50.67 (b)
Q = 6.058N
38

(6) Forces of magnitude 50N and 100N are the oblique components of
a force F. Obtain the magnitude and direction of the force F. Refer
Fig.6.

100N

50N
30

Fig. 6

Contd..
 39

Contd..

100N Y-AXIS 100N

X - AXIS
50N
30 30 50N

Fig. 6

Rotating the axes to have X parallel to 50N,

Fx = +50 + 100cos30 = +136.6N

+ve
Fy = +100sin30 = +50N Contd..
+ve
 40

Contd.. 100N Y-AXIS 100N

X - AXIS
50N
30 30 50N

Fig. 6

F = 145.46N
= 20.1 w r t X direction (50N force)
F= (Fx)2+(Fy)2 Y-AXIS

= tan-1[(Fx)2+(Fy)2] F X - AXIS

50N
 41

(7) Resolve the 3kN force along the directions P and Q. Refer Fig. 7.

Q
3kN

45
60

30
P

Fig. 7 Contd..
 42
Contd..
Q
3kN
45 P

45 Fig. 7
Q
60 45
3kN
30 X Axis
P

Move the force P parallel to itself to complete a triangle. Using sine rule,
P/sin45 = Q/sin90 = 3/sin45
Answer :
P = 3kN, and Q = 4.243kN
43

EXERCISE PROBLEMS
1. A body of negligible weight, subjected to two forces F1= 1200N,
and F2=400N acting along the vertical, and the horizontal
respectively, is shown in Fig.1. Find the component of each
force parallel, and perpendicular to the plane.
F1 = 1200 N
Y
F2 = 400 N

3
4
FIG. 1

Ans : F1X = -720 N, F1Y = -960N, F2X = 320N, F2Y = -240N

44

2. Determine the X and Y components of each of the forces shown in

FIG.2.
F2 = 390 N Y
12
X
5
40 30

F1 = 300 N
F3 =400 N
FIG. 2
(Ans : F1X = 259.81 N, F1Y= -150 N, F2X= -150N, F2Y= 360 N,
F3X = -306.42 N, F3Y= -257.12N )
 45

3. Obtain the resultant of the concurrent coplanar forces shown in FIG.3

600N
800N
40
20

30

200N
FIG. 3

(Ans: R = 522.67 N, = 68.43)

 46

4. A disabled ship is pulled by means of two tug boats as shown in FIG.

4. If the resultant of the two forces T1 and T2 exerted by the ropes
is a 300 N force acting parallel to the X direction, find :
(a) Force exerted by each of the tug boats knowing = 30.
(b) The value of such that the force of tugboat 2 is minimum,
while that of 1 acts in the same direction.
Find the corresponding force to be exerted by tugboat 2.
T2
R = 300 N
X - direction
20

FIG. 4 T1
( Ans: a. T1= 195.81 N, T2 = 133.94 N
b. = 70, T1 = 281.91 N, T2(min) = 102.61 N )
 47

5. An automobile which is disabled is pulled by two ropes as

shown in FIG. 5. Find the force P and resultant R, such that R
is directed as shown in the figure.

P
20
R
40

Q = 5 kN
FIG. 5

(Ans: P = 9.4 kN , R = 12.66 kN)

 48

6. A collar, which may slide on a vertical rod, is subjected to three forces

as shown in FIG.6. The direction of the force F may be varied .
Determine the direction of the force F, so that resultant of the three forces is
horizontal, knowing that the magnitude of F is equal to
(a) 2400 N, (b)1400N
1200 N

60 800 N

FIG.6
F
COLLAR
ROD
( Ans: a. = 41.81 ; b. The resultant cannot be horizontal.)
 49

7. Determine the angle and the magnitude of the force Q such that
the resultant of the three forces on the pole is vertically downwards
and of magnitude 12 kN. Refer Fig. 7.

8kN
5kN

30
Q

(Ans: = 10.7 , Q = 9.479 kN )

Fig. 7