Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 1.

0 :Leaning Outcome Leave blank

Learning Outcome
Upon completion of this chapter, the students should be able to understand and apply
the following concepts:

2.1 Force Vectors

2.1.1 Vector Operations

2.1.2 Addition of Forces and Coplanar Forces

2.2 Forces in Plane

2.2.1 Resultant of Forces

2.2.2 Resolution of a Force into Components

2.2.3 Rectangular Components of a Force

2.2.4 Free-Body Diagram (FBD) and Equilibrium of a Particle

Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.1: Force Vectors Leave blank

Fundamental Principles Line of action

Magnitude
Force represents an action of one body on
another; characterized by its point of application,
magnitude, line of action, and sense. Sense

Experimental evidence shows that the combined Point of application

effect of two forces may be represented by a
single resultant force.
(a) Characteristic of Force
The resultant is equivalent to the diagonal of a
parallelogram which contains the two forces in
adjacent legs.

Force is a vector quantity.

Resultant

(b) Parallelogram
Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.1.1: Vector Operations Leave blank

Definitions of Vector
Vector: parameters possessing magnitude and direction
which add according to the parallelogram law. Examples:
displacements, velocities, accelerations.

Scalar: parameters possessing magnitude but not Parallelogram Law

direction. Examples: mass, volume, temperature

Vector classifications:

Fixed or bound vectors have well defined points of

application that cannot be changed without affecting an Equal vectors
analysis.

Free vectors may be freely moved in space without

changing their effect on an analysis.

Sliding vectors may be applied anywhere along their line

of action without affecting an analysis.

Equal vectors have the same magnitude and direction

Negative vector
Negative vector of a given vector has the same
magnitude and the opposite direction.
Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.1.2: Addition of Forces and Coplanar Forces Leave blank

Addition of Vectors
Trapezoid rule for vector addition.

Triangle rule for vector addition.

Law of cosines:

R 2 = P 2 + Q 2 − 2 PQ cos B
  
R = P+Q

Law of sinus:
sin A sin B sin C
= =
Q R A
Vector addition is commutative:
   
P+Q = Q+ P

Vector subtraction.
Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.1.2: Addition of Forces and Coplanar Forces Leave blank

Trapezoid rule for vector addition.

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Chapter 2: Statics of Particles Topic 2.1.2: Addition of Forces and Coplanar Forces Leave blank

Triangle rule for vector addition.

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Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.1.2: Addition of Forces and Coplanar Forces Leave blank

Vector subtraction, P – Q

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Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.1.2: Addition of Forces and Coplanar Forces Leave blank

Addition of Vectors
Addition of three or more vectors through repeated
application of the triangle rule.

The polygon rule for the addition of three or more

vectors.

Vector addition is associative;

        
P + Q + S = (P + Q ) + S = P + (Q + S )

Multiplication of a vector by a scalar.

Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.1.2: Addition of Forces and Coplanar Forces Leave blank

Addition of three or more vectors.

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Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.1.2: Addition of Forces and Coplanar Forces Leave blank

Polygon rule for vector addition.

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Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.1.2: Addition of Forces and Coplanar Forces Leave blank

Multiplication of vector.

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Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.2.1: Resultant of Forces Leave blank

Resultant of Forces
Concurrent forces: a set of forces which all pass
through the same point.

A set of concurrent forces applied to a particle

may be replaced by a single resultant force
which is the vector sum of the applied forces.

Vector force components: two or more force Concurrent forces

vectors which, together, have the same effect as
a single force vector.

Vector force components

Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.2.1: Resultant of Forces Leave blank

Example 1
The screw eye is subjected to two forces, F1 and
F2. Determine the magnitude and direction of the
resultant force.

Find : magnitude of FR and angle θ

Graphical Solution

Trigonometry Solution
Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.2.1: Resultant of Forces Leave blank

Graphical Solution

1. Determine the drawing scale.

2. Draw the parallelogram using graphical method
3. Measure the length of the line FR and the angle θ.
4. Convert the length of FR into parameter force.

Remark: not accurate and not recommended

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Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.2.1: Resultant of Forces Leave blank

Trigonometry Solution
Law of Cosines:

FR = (100 N )2 + (150 N )2 − 2(100 N )(150 N ) cos115

= 10000 + 22500 − 30000(− 0.4226) = 212.6 N = 213 N

Law of Sinus:
150 N 212.6 N
=
sin θ sin 115
sin θ =
150 N
(0.9063)
212.6 N
θ = 39.8

Direction Φ of FR measured from the horizontal

φ = 39.8 + 15
= 54.8 ∠φ

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Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.2.2: Resolution of a Force into Components Leave blank

Resolution of a Force into

Components
A force vector can be resolved into
perpendicular components so that the
resulting parallelogram is a rectangle.
 
Fx and Fy are referred to as rectangular
vector components and
  
F = Fx + Fy Unit vector.
Vector components.
 
Define two perpendicular unit vectors i and j
which are parallel to the x and y axes and
possessing magnitude 1.

Vector components may be expressed as

products of the unit vectors with the scalar
magnitudes of the vector components.
  
F = Fx i + Fy j
Fx and Fy are referred
 to as the scalar
components of F
Rectangular vector components.
Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.2.3: Rectangular Components of a Force Leave blank

Summing Rectangular Components

When finding the resultant of 3 or more concurrent
forces:
   
R = P+Q+S
Resolve each force into rectangular components:
       
R x i + R y j = Px i + Py j + Q x i + Q y j + S x i + S y j
= ( Px + Q x + S x )i + (Py + Q y + S y ) j
 

(a (b)
The scalar components of the resultant are equal to the )
sum of the corresponding scalar components of the
given forces

R x = Px + Q x + S x R y = Py + Q y + S y
= ∑ Fx = ∑ Fy
To find the resultant magnitude and direction,

−1 Ry
R= R x2 + R y2 θ = tan
Rx (c) (d)
Summing the rectangular vector components.
Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.2.3: Rectangular Components of a Force Leave blank

Example 2
Four forces act on bolt A as shown. Determine the
resultant of the force on the bolt.

Solution Hints:

• Resolve each force into rectangular components

• Determine the components of the resultant by

adding the corresponding force components

• Calculate the magnitude and direction of the

resultant

Solution
Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.2.3: Rectangular Components of a Force Leave blank

Find : the resultant Force and the angle.

Solution:
• Resolve each force into rectangular components

force mag x − comp y − comp


F1 150 + 129.9 + 75.0

F2 80 − 27.4 + 75.2

F3 110 0 − 110.0

F4 100 + 96.6 − 25.9

• Determine the components of the resultant by adding

the corresponding force components.
• Calculate the magnitude and direction

R = 199.12 + 14.32 R = 199.6 N

14.3 N
tan α = α = 4.1°
199.1 N

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Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.2.4: FBD and Equilibrium of a Particle Leave blank

Equilibrium of a Particle
• When the resultant of all forces acting on a particle is zero, the particle is in equilibrium.

• Newton’s First Law: If the resultant force on a particle is zero, the particle will remain at rest or will
continue at constant speed in a straight line :

•Particle acted upon by two forces: • Particle acted upon by three or more forces:
- equal magnitude - graphical solution yields a closed polygon
- same line of action - algebraic solution
 
- opposite sense R = ∑F = 0
∑ Fx = 0 ∑ Fy = 0
Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.2.4: FBD and Equilibrium of a Particle Leave blank

Example 3
In a ship-unloading operation, a 3500-N automobile
is supported by a cable. A rope is tied to the cable
and pulled to center the automobile over its
intended position. What is the tension in the rope?

Solution Hints:

• Construct a free-body diagram for the particle at

the junction of the rope and cable

• Apply the conditions for equilibrium by creating a

closed polygon from the forces applied to the
particle

• Apply trigonometric relations to determine the

unknown force magnitudes

Solution
Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2.2.4: FBD and Equilibrium of a Particle Leave blank

Find : the tension in cable AC.

Solution:

Construct a free-body diagram for the particle at A

Apply the conditions for equilibrium

Solve for the unknown force magnitudes

TAB TAC 3500 N

= =
sin 120° sin 2° sin 58°

TAB = 3570 N
TAC = 144 N

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Chapter 2 : Statics of Particles Topic 2 : References Leave blank

Acknowledgement
The contents and figures used this chapter are duplicated and edited from the following
references

References
Ferdinand P. Beer & Russell Johnston Jr., Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics, 8th ed. in
SI units, McGraw-Hill, 2007.

J. L. Meriam & L.G. Kraige, Engineering Mechanics, Statics, 6th ed. SI ver., J. Wiley & Sons,
2007.

R. C. Hibbeler, Engineering Mechanics, Statics, 12th ed. in SI units, Prentice Hall, 2010.