Using Mathcad for Statics and Dynamics Bedford

by Ron Larsen and Steve Hunt Hibbeler and Fowler

1. Resolving Forces, Calculating Resultants 2.4 - 2.6 2.3 - 2.5

2. Dot Products 2.9 2.5

3. Equilibrium of a Particle, Free-Body Diagrams 3.3 3.2 - 3.3

4. Cross Products and Moments of Forces 4.2 - 4.3 2.6, 4.3

5. Moment of a Couple 4.6 4.4

6. Reduction of a Simple Distributed Loading 4.10 7.3

7. Equilibrium of a Rigid Body 5.1 - 5.3 5.1 - 5.2

8. Dry Friction 8.2 9.1

9. Finding the Centroid of Volume 9.2 7.4

Statics
10. Resultant of a Generalized Distributed Loading 9.5 7.4

11. Calculating Moments of Inertia 10.1 - 10.2 8.1 - 8.2

12. Curve-Fitting to Relate s-t, v-t, and a-t Graphs 12.3 2.2

Dynamics
13. Curvilinear Motion: Rectangular Components 12.5 2.3

14. Curvilinear Motion: Motion of a Projectile 12.6 2.3

15. Curvilinear Motion: Normal and Tangential Components 12.7 2.3

16. Dependent Motion of Two Particles 12.9 ch. 2

17. Kinetics of a Particle: Force and Acceleration 13.4 3.1 - 3.4

18. Equations of Motion: Normal and Tangential Components 13.5 3.4

19. Principle of Work and Energy 14.3 8.1 - 8.2

20. Rotation About a Fixed Axis 16.3 9.1

1 Resolving Forces, Calculating Resultants
Ref: Hibbeler § 2.4-2.6, Bedford & Fowler: Statics § 2.3-2.5

Resolving forces refers to the process of finding two or more forces which, when combined, will
produce a force with the same magnitude and direction as the original. The most common use of the
process is finding the components of the original force in the Cartesian coordinate directions: x, y, and
z.
A resultant force is the force (magnitude and direction) obtained when two or more forces are
combined (i.e., added as vectors).

Breaking down a force into its Cartesian coordinate components (e.g., Fx, Fy) and using Cartesian
components to determine the force and direction of a resultant force are common tasks when solving
statics problems. These will be demonstrated here using a two-dimensional problem involving co-
planar forces.

Example: Co-Planar Forces

Two boys are playing by pulling on ropes connected to a hook in a rafter. The bigger one pulls on
the rope with a force of 270 N (about 60 lbf) at an angle of 55° from horizontal. The smaller boy
pulls with a force of 180 N (about 40 lbf) at an angle of 110° from horizontal.
a. Which boy is exerting the greatest vertical force (downward) on the hook?
b. What is the net force (magnitude and direction) on the hook – that is, calculate the
resultant force.

Note: The angles in this

figure have been indicated
as coordinate direction
-110° angles. That is, each angle
-55° has been measured from the
positive x axis.
N
1 80

27
0N

Solution
First, consider the 270 N force acting at 55° from horizontal. The x- and y-components of force are
indicated schematically, as
 Fx

55°

Fy
27
0N
The x- and y-components of the first force (270 N) can be calculated using a little trigonometry
involving the included angle, 55°:
Fx1
cos(55°) = , or Fx1 = (270 N ) cos(55°)
270 N

and
Fy1
sin(55°) = , or Fy1 = (270 N ) sin(55°) .
270 N

Mathcad can be used to solve for Fx1 and Fy1 using its built-in sin() and cos() functions, but these
functions assume that the angle will be expressed as radians, not degrees. You can use the deg unit
to explicitly tell Mathcad that the angle is in degrees and must be converted (by Mathcad) to radians.

Fx1 := ( 270⋅ N) ⋅ cos ( 55⋅ deg )

Fx1 = 154.866N

Fy1 := ( 270⋅ N) ⋅ sin ( 55⋅ deg )

Fy1 = 221.171N

Your Turn
Show that the x- and y-components of the second force (180 N acting at
110° from the x-axis) are 61.5 N (-x direction) and 169 N (-y direction), 110°
respectively. Note that trigonometry relationships are based on the
included angle of the triangle (20°, as shown at the right), not the
coordinate angle (-110° from the x-axis).
N

20°
Fy
180

Answer, part a)
The larger boy exerts the greatest vertical force (221 N) on the hook. The vertical
force exerted by the smaller boy is only 169 N.
Fx
Solution, continued
To determine the combined force on the hook, FR, first add the two y-components calculated above,
to determine the combined y-directed force, FRy, on the hook:
FRx

77°

221 N
180

27
0N
FRy
FR

FRy := Fy1 + Fy2 169 N

FRy = 390.316N

The y-component of the resultant force is 390 N (directed down, or in the –y direction). Note that the
direction has not been accounted for in this calculation.
Then add the two x-components to determine the combined x-directed force, FRx, on the hook. Note
that the two x-component forces are acting in opposite directions, so the combined x-directed force,
FRx, is smaller than either of the components, and directed in the +x direction.
 FRx

77°

N
180

27
0N
62 N

FRy
FR
155 N

(
FRx := Fx1 + −Fx2 )
FRx = 93.302N

The minus sign was included before Fx2 because it is directed in the –x direction. The result is an x-
component of the resultant force of 93 N in the +x direction.
Once the x- and y-components of the resultant force have been determined, the magnitude can be
calculated using

FR = FRx 2 + FRy 2

The Mathcad equation is basically the same…

2 2
FR := FRx + FRy

FR = 401.312N
The angle of the resultant force can be calculated using any of three functions in Mathcad:

Function Argument(s) Notes

atan(abs(Fx / Fy)) one argument: abs(Fx / Fy) Returns the included angle

atan2(Fx, Fy) two arguments: Fx and Fy Returns the coordinate direction angle
Angle value is always between 0 and π radians (0 and
180°)
A negative sign on the angle indicates a result in one of
the lower quadrants of the Cartesian coordinate system

angle(Fx, Fy) two arguments: Fx and Fy Returns the positive angle from the positive x-axis to
the vector
Angle value always between 0 and 2π radians (0 and
360°)
An angle value greater than 180° (π radians) indicates
a result in one of the lower quadrants of the Cartesian
coordinate system

The atan2() function is used here, and FRy is negative because it is acting in the –y FRx
direction.
θ
FRx := 93.302⋅ N FRy := −390.316⋅ N 77°

(
θ := atan2 FRx, FRy )
θ = −76.556deg
The deg unit was used to display the calculated angle in degrees. If it had been left

FRy
FR
off, the result would have been displayed using Mathcad’s default units, radians.

Answer, part b)
The net force (magnitude and direction) on the hook is now known:
FR = 401 N (about 90 lbf) acting at an angle 76.6° below the x-axis.
Annotated Mathcad Worksheet
Determine the x- and y-components of the two forces (270 N at -55°, and 180 N at -110°)

Note: These trig. calculations use the included angles (55° and 20°), with minus signs added
to both y-component equations to indicate that the forces act in the -y direction, and to the
Fx2 equation to show that this force acts in the -x direction.

Fx1 := ( 270⋅ N) ⋅ cos ( 55⋅ deg ) Fx2 := −( 180⋅ N) ⋅ sin ( 20⋅ deg )

Fx1 = 154.866N Fx2 = −61.564N

Fy1 := −( 270⋅ N) ⋅ sin ( 55⋅ deg ) Fy2 := −( 180⋅ N) ⋅ cos ( 20⋅ deg )

Fy1 = −221.171N Fy2 = −169.145N

^^^ The larger boy exerts the greater

force in the -y direction.

Sum the y-components of the two forces to determine the y-component of the resultant force.

FRy := Fy1 + Fy2

FRy = −390.316N

Sum the x-components of the two forces to determine the x-component of the resultant force.

FRx := Fx1 + Fx2 A simple addition is used here

since F x2 is already negative.

FRx = 93.302N

Calculate the magnitude of the resultant force.

2 2
FR := FRx + FRy

FR = 401.312N

Calculate the angle of the resultant force (in degress from the x-axis).

(
θ := atan2 FRx, FRy )
θ = −76.556deg The minus sign indicates
below the x-axis.
2 Dot Products
Ref: Hibbeler § 2.9, Bedford & Fowler: Statics § 2.5

Taking the dot product of an arbitrary vector with a unit vector oriented along a coordinate direction
yields the projection of the arbitrary vector along the coordinate axis. When this scalar (magnitude) is
multiplied by a unit vector in the coordinate direction, the result is the vector component in that
coordinate direction. This is one common use of the dot product. The other is finding the angle
between two vectors.

The dot product (or scalar product) can be calculated in two ways:
• In trigonometric terms, the equation for a dot product is written as
A • B = A B cos(θ)

Where θ is the angle between arbitrary vectors A and B.

• In matrix form, the equation is written
A • B = A x Bx + A y By + A z Bz

Mathcad provides a dot product operator on the matrix toolbar to automatically perform the
calculations required by the matrix form of the dot product. If you have two vectors written in matrix
form, such as

A = (1, 2, 3)

B = (-1, -2, -1) z

Then A•B is the projection of A onto B (a magnitude, or scalar). Using Mathcad, the dot product is
calculated like this (bold letters have not been used for matrix names in Mathcad):

1  −1 
A :=  2 B :=  −2
 
3  −1 

A ⋅ B = −8 << uses the dot product operator from the Matrix toolbar
To verify this result, we can do the math term by term…

x := 0 y := 1 z := 2 << coordinate index definitions

A ⋅ B + A ⋅ B + A ⋅ B = −8
x x y y z z

And we can use the trig. form of the dot product to find the angle between the two vectors. First,
calculate the magnitude of the A and B vectors…

A mag := (Ax)2 + (Ay )2 + (Az)2 A mag = 3.742

Bmag := (Bx)2 + (By )2 + (Bz)2 Bmag = 2.449

Then find the angle between the vectors using Mathcad’s acos() function.

A⋅B
θ := acos   θ = 150.794deg
A mag⋅ Bmag
 
Finally, you can use a 3-d scatter plot in Mathcad to help you visualize these vectors, to see if your
computed results make sense. To create the 3-d scatter plot, you must define the x, y, and z
coordinates of the endpoints of each vector.

0 0 
X :=  Y := 
0 0  0 0 
Z := 
 1 −1   2 −2   3 −1 
Here, the top-left elements form the starting coordinates for the A vector: (0, 0, 0). The lower-left
elements for the end coordinates for the A vector: (1, 2, 3). Similarly, the right columns in each matrix
represent the starting (0, 0, 0) and ending (-1, -2, -1) coordinates of the B vector.
To create the graph, use the menu commands: Insert/Graph/3-d Scatter Plot, then enter (X, Y, Z) in
the graph placeholder (the parentheses are required).

( X , Y , Z)

Note that the axes do not intercept at (0, 0, 0). Actually, the middle point on the plot is at (0, 0, 0).
Also, the lines between the points are not displayed by default. To show the lines, double-click on the
plot to open the 3-d Plot Format dialog, then select the Appearance tab, and select the Lines option.
The usefulness of the 3-d plot for visualization is the ability to rotate the graph to see how the plot
looks from different angles. To rotate the plot, simply click inside the plot area, hold the left mouse
button down, and drag the mouse pointer around the plot. The curve will respond to the location of
the pointer.
In the graph below, the plot has been rotated until the plane of the vectors is approximately parallel
with the page. In this view, the calculated angle of 150° looks to be about right for these vectors.

( X , Y , Z)

Annotated Mathcad Worksheet

Define the vectors

1  −1 
A :=  2 B :=  −2
 
3  −1 

Take the dot product

A ⋅ B = −8 << uses the dot product operator from the Matrix toolbar

Check Mathcad's dot product operator by calculating the dot product explicitly...

x := 0 y := 1 z := 2 << coordinate index definitions (could use 0, 1, 2 directly)

A ⋅ B + A ⋅ B + A ⋅ B = −8
x x y y z z

To calculate the angle between the vectors, first need the magnitude of each vector.

A mag := (Ax)2 + (Ay )2 + (Az)2 A mag = 3.742

Bmag := (Bx)2 + (By )2 + (Bz)2 Bmag = 2.449

Then calculate the angle...

A⋅B
θ := acos   θ = 150.794deg
A mag⋅ Bmag
 
 To visualize the vectors, create matrices describing the starting and ending coordinates of each vector.

X := 
0 0  0 0 
Y := 
0 0 
Z := 
 1 −1   2 −2   3 −1 
Then insert a 3-d Scatter Plot

Click and drag inside the plot area to

rotate the graph.

( X , Y , Z)

Example: Finding the Components of a Force Vector

A force acts on a fixed pin with a magnitude of 270 N (about 60 lbf) at an angle of 55° from horizontal.
a. Find the horizontal and vertical components of the force using dot products.

y
0N
27
Fy

=
F

55°

Fx x

Solution
To find the magnitude of the x-component of F, calculate the dot product of F and a unit vector in the
x direction, ux.
F • ux
Fx = F cos(θ) =
ux
Note: Most texts do not show ux in the denominator of the last term of this series of equalities, since
the magnitude of a unit vector is known to be one. But, if you plan to use units in Mathcad, the ux in
the denominator is needed to make the units work out.

F := 270⋅ N θ := 55⋅ deg

u x := 1⋅ N (a unit vector has a magnitude of 1, units here are Newtons)

Fx := F⋅ cos ( θ )

Fx = 154.866N

Similarly, the vertical component of F is calculated as:

Fy := F⋅ cos [ ( 90 − 55) ⋅ deg ]

Fy = 221.171N

Alternatively, the F and ux vectors can be written in vector form.

 270⋅ cos ( 55⋅ deg ) 

F := 270⋅ cos [ ( 90 − 55) ⋅ deg ]  ⋅ N
 
 0 
1
u x :=  0 ⋅ N

0
And the dot product can be used to calculate the horizontal component of F.

u x_mag := 1⋅ N

F⋅ u x
Fx :=
u x_mag

Fx = 154.866N

Similarly, we can define a unit vector in the y-direction,

0
u y :=  1 ⋅ N u y_mag := 1⋅ N

0
And calculate the vertical component of the force.

F⋅ u y
Fy :=
u y_mag

Fy = 221.171N
3 Equilibrium of a Particle, Free-Body Diagrams
Ref: Hibbeler § 3.3, Bedford & Fowler: Statics § 3.2-3.3

When a body is either not moving (zero velocity), or moving at a constant velocity (speed and
direction), the sum of the external forces on the body is zero, and the body is said to be in equilibrium.

∑F = 0
or, for two-dimensional equilibrium,

∑F x =0

∑F y =0

The picture showing the external forces acting on the object is called a free-body diagram. A free-
body diagram is used to help solve problems both in statics and dynamics.

Example: Forces on Traffic Light Suspension Cables

Three traffic lights have been suspended between two poles at an intersection, as shown below.

A D
B C

25 ft 14 ft 14 ft 13 ft

Each of the three lights has a mass of 18 kg (approx. 40 lb). (Assume zero mass cables.) The tension
in the cables has been adjusted such that the lights at points B and C are at the same height, and
cable section AB is at an angle of 5° from horizontal.
a. Determine the downward force at points B, C, and D due to the mass of the lights.
b. Draw a free-body diagram at point B, and use it to find the vertical and horizontal components
of force in cable AB.
c. Repeat part b. for the other lights, determining the force components in each cable section,
and the angle of each cable section (measured from the +x direction).

Solution: Part a.
The mass of each traffic light is being acted on by gravity, so the force is calculated as
Fy = m g

In Mathcad, this calculation looks like this:

 m := 18⋅ kg

Fgrav := −m⋅ g << 'g' is predefined as 9.8 m/s 2 in Mathcad

Fgrav = −177 N

So the downward force exerted by each traffic light is 177 N. The minus sign has been included to
show that the force is downward, i.e., in the –y direction.
If the lights are not moving up or down, the cable must apply an equal but oppositely directed force on
the light, since the vertical force components must sum to zero if the body is in equilibrium.

Part b. – Free-Body Diagram for Light at B

FAB
B FBC

Fgrav = -177 N

Since cable section BC is horizontal, there is no vertical component of force in cable section BC. So,
all of the weight of the traffic light at B must be carried by cable AB, more specifically, by the vertical
component of force in cable AB.

FAB_y := −Fgrav

FAB_y = 177 N

The horizontal component of force in cable AB can be determined using the specified angle (cable AB
is 5° from horizontal, or 175° from +x).

FAB_y
FAB_x :=
tan ( 175⋅ deg )

FAB_x = −2018 N

The horizontal component is 2018 N (about 450 lbf) acting in the –x direction.
The force acting in the direction of the cable has a magnitude of 2025 N.

2 2
FAB := FAB_y + FAB_x

FAB = 2025N

Finally, if the light at point B is not moving to the left or right, the sum of the horizontal forces acting on
point B must be zero, so the horizontal component of force in section BC is +2018 N. Since there is
no vertical component of force in section BC, this is also the total force on section BC at point B.
 FBC_x := −FAB_x << since the sum of the x-components of force is zero

FBC_x = 2018N

FBC_y := 0⋅ N

2 2
FBC := FBC_y + FBC_x

FBC = 2018N

Part b. – Free-Body Diagram for Light at C

FCD
FBC = -2018 N C

Fgrav = -177 N

The free body diagram for the light at point C is constructed using the following concepts:
• If the light at point C is not moving left or right, then the horizontal component of force FCD
must be +2018 N.
• If the light at point C is not moving up or down, then the vertical component of force FCD must
be +177 N.
This is essentially the same as the free-body diagram at point B, just flipped left to right. So the
magnitude of force FCD is 2025 N, and acts at 5° from horizontal. This can be verified as follows:

FCD_x := −FBC

FCD_x = 2018N

FCD_y := −Fgrav

FCD_y = 177 N

2 2
FCD := FCD_y + FCD_x

FCD = 2025N

 FCD_y 
θ CD := atan 
 FCD_x 
θ CD = 5 deg

Note: The value of FBC used in this section of the Mathcad worksheet is –2018 N, as shown in the
free-body diagram for point C. See the annotated Mathcad Worksheet to see how this sign change is
handled for the complete problem solution.
Part b. – Free-Body Diagram for Light at D

FDE

Fgrav = -177 N
FCD = 2025 N

The weight of the traffic light at point D exerts a downward force, Fgrav, of 177 N. In addition, force
FCD, acting on point D, has a vertical component of 177 N, also acting downward. If the light at point D
is not moving up or down, then these downward forces must be counterbalanced by the vertical
component of force FDE.

(
FDE_y := − Fgrav + FCD_y )
FDE_y = 353 N

The horizontal component of force FDE must be equal to –FCD_x if the light at point D is to be
stationary.

FDE_x := −FCD_x

FDE_x = 2018N

Once the horizontal and vertical components are known, the angle of cable DE can be determined.

 FDE_y 
θ DE := atan 
 FDE_x 
θ DE = 9.925deg
Annotated Mathcad Solution
Traffic Light Suspension Cable

Part a.
m := 18⋅ kg

<< 'g' is predefined as 1.8 m/s 2 in Mathcad

Fgrav := −m⋅ g

Fgrav = −177 N

Part b. -- Light at Point B

FAB_y := −Fgrav

FAB_y = 177 N
FAB_y
FAB_x :=
tan ( 175⋅ deg )

FAB_x = −2018 N FAB_x = −454 lbf

FBC_x := −FAB_x << since the sum of the x-components of force is zero

FBC x = 2018N

FBC_y := 0⋅ N

2 2
FBC := FBC_y + FBC_x

FBC = 2018N << F BC acting on point B is in the +x direction

2 2
FAB := FAB_y + FAB_x

FAB = 2025N FAB = 455lbf

Part b. -- Light at Point C

FBC := −FBC << F BC acting on point C is in the -x direction

FCD_x := −FBC

FCD_x = 2018N

FCD_y := −Fgrav

FCD y = 177 N

2 2
FCD := FCD_y + FCD_x

FCD = 2025N FCD = 455lbf

 FCD_y 
θ CD := atan 
 FCD_x 
θ CD = 5 deg
 g
FCD_y := −FCD_y << These force components, acting on point D , are in the
opposite direction of the same components, acting on point C .
FCD_x := −FCD_x

(
FDE_y := − Fgrav + FCD_y )
FDE_y = 353 N

FDE_x := −FCD_x

FDE_x = 2018 N

 FDE_y 
θ DE := atan 
 FDE_x 
θ DE = 9.925 deg
4 Cross Products and Moments of Force
Ref: Hibbeler § 4.2-4.3, Bedford & Fowler: Statics § 2.6, 4.3

In geometric terms, the cross product of two vectors, A and B, produces a new vector, C, with a
direction perpendicular to the plane formed by A and B (according to right-hand rule) and a
magnitude equal to the area of the parallelogram formed using A and B as adjacent sides.

B B
θ
A sin(θ)
A A

Area = A B sin(θ)

The cross product is used to find the moment of force. An example of this will be shown after
describing the basic mathematics of the cross product operation.

The cross product (or vector product) can be calculated in two ways:
• In trigonometric terms, the equation for a dot product is written as
C = A × B = A B sin(θ) u C

Where θ is the angle between arbitrary vectors A and B, and uC is a unit vector in the direction of
C (perpendicular to A and B, using right-hand rule).
• In matrix form, the equation is written in using components of vectors A and B, or as a
determinant. Symbols i, j, and k represent unit vectors in the coordinate directions.
( ) ( )
A × B = A y B z − A z B y i − (A x B z − A z B x ) j + A x B y − A y B x k
i j k
= Ax Ay Az
Bx By Bz

Mathcad provides a cross product operator on the matrix toolbar to automatically perform the
calculations required by the matrix form of the dot product. If you have two vectors written in matrix
form, such as
 y

A = (1, 2, 3)

B = (-1, -2, -1) z

Then A×B can be calculated like this (bold letters have not been used for matrix names in Mathcad):

1  −1 
A :=  2 B :=  −2
 
3  −1 

4
A × B =  −2 << uses the cross product operator from the Matrix toolbar

0
To verify this result, we can do the math term by term…

x := 0 y := 1 z := 2 << coordinate index definitions

 A y ⋅ Bz − A z ⋅ By 
4
−( A ⋅ B − A ⋅ B ) =  −2
 x z z x 
 A x⋅ By − A y ⋅ Bz   0 
 
Or, we can use the trig. form of the cross product. First, we calculate the magnitude of the A and B
vectors using the determinant operator from the Matrix toolbar…

A mag := A A mag = 3.742

Bmag := B Bmag = 2.449

Then find the angle between vectors A and B using Mathcad’s acos() function.

A⋅B
θ := acos   θ = 150.794deg
A mag⋅ Bmag
 
The magnitude of the C matrix can then be calculated…
 Cmag := A mag⋅ Bmag⋅ sin ( θ ) Cmag = 4.472

The direction of C is perpendicular to the plane formed by A and B, and is found using the cross
product. To obtain the direction cosines of C, divide the cross product of A and B by its magnitude.
 0.894 
A× B
=  −0.447
A× B 
 0 
α := acos ( 0.894) α = 26.62 deg << from +x

β := acos ( −0.447) β = 116.551deg << from +y

γ := acos ( 0) γ = 90 deg << from +z

This is, of course, equivalent to

 0.894 
=  −0.447
C
C := A × B
Cmag 
 0 
The vectors can be graphed to see how the cross product works. The plot on the left shows the
original plot, with the axes oriented in the same way as the drawing on the second page. In the plot
on the right the axes have been rotated to show that vector C is perpendicular to the plane formed by
vectors A and B.

0 0 0
x := 
0 0 0 
y :=  z := 
0 0 0
 1 −1 4   2 −2 −2   3 −1 0 

x - red
y - blue
z - green

A - red
B - violet
C - blue

( x, y , z) ( x, y , z)
Annotated Mathcad Worksheet
Define the vectors

1  −1 
A :=  2 B :=  −2
 
3  −1 
Take the cross product

4
A × B =  −2 << uses the cross product operator from the Matrix toolbar

0
Check Mathcad's cross product operator by calculating the cross product explicitly...

x := 0 y := 1 z := 2 << coordinate index definitions

 A y ⋅ Bz − A z ⋅ By 
4
−( A ⋅ B − A ⋅ B ) =  −2
 x z z x 
 A x⋅ By − A y ⋅ Bz  0
 
Use the trigonometric form of the cross product to find the magnitude of the C vector.
First, find the magnitude of the A and B vectors using the determinant
operator from the Matrix toolbar.

A mag := A A mag = 3.742

Bmag := B Bmag = 2.449

Then, find the angle between vectors A and B.

A⋅B
θ := acos   θ = 150.794deg
A mag ⋅ Bmag
 
Finally, solve for the magnitude of the C vector.

Cmag := A mag ⋅ Bmag ⋅ sin ( θ ) Cmag = 4.472

Solve for the direction cosines of the C vector.

 0.894   0.894 
A× B
=  −0.447 =  −0.447
C
- or - C := A × B
A× B  Cmag 
 0   0 

α := acos ( 0.894) α = 26.62deg << from +x

β := acos ( −0.447) β = 116.551deg << from +y

γ := acos ( 0) γ = 90 deg << from +z

 Plot the A, B, and C vectors

x := 
0 0 0 0 0 0  0 0 0
y :=  z := 
 1 −1 4   2 −2 −2   3 −1 0 

x - red
y - blue
z - green

A - red
B - violet
C - blue

( x, y , z) ( x, y , z)

Example: Find the Moment of a Force on a Line

A force of F = 200 N acts on the edge of a hinged shelf, 0.40 m from the pivot point.

y
x
z

200 N

0.4 m

The 200 N force has the following components:

Fx = -40 N
Fy = 157 N
Fz = 118 N
Only the y-component of F will tend to cause rotation on the hinges. What is the moment of the force
about the line passing through the hinges (the x axis)?

Solution Using the Cross Product

We begin by defining the vector r which starts at the x axis (the line through the hinges) and connects
to the point at which force F acts.
 y
x
z

O
200 N
r

Since the shelf was 0.40 m wide, r has a magnitude of 0.40, is oriented in the +z direction, and can
be written in component form as

 0   −40 
r :=  0 F :=  157
 
 0.4   118 
The moment of force F about the point O is found using the cross product of r with F.

 −62.8 
M O := r × F M O =  −16

 0 
M Mag := M O M Mag = 64.806

However, the moment of force F about the x axis requires an additional dot product with a unit vector
in the x-direction, and is found as

1  0   −40 
u x :=  0 r :=  0 F :=  157
  
0  0.4   118 

M L := u x⋅ ( r × F) M L = −62.8

The minus sign indicates that the moment is directed in the –x direction.

Solution Using Scalars

The moment of force F about the x axis can also be determined by multiplying the y-component of F
and the perpendicular distance between the point at which F acts and the x axis.
ML = Fy d
Since the component of F in the y-direction is known (157 N), and the perpendicular distance is 0.4
m, the moment can be calculated from these quantities.

Fy := 157 d := 0.4

M L := Fy ⋅ d M L = 62.8

The direction must be determined using the right-hand rule, where the thumb indicates the direction
when the fingers are curled around the x axis in the direction of the rotation caused by Fy.
Annotated Worksheet
Define the vectors

 0   −40 
r :=  0 F :=  157
 
 0.4   118 
Take the cross product of r with F to get the moment about point O (the origin).

 −62.8  Note: This is not the solution to the stated

M O := r × F M O =  −16 question. The question asked for the
 moment about the x axis. That will be
 0  calculated next.

M Mag := M O M Mag = 64.806

Declare a unit vector in the x-direction in order to calculate the moment about the x axis.

1  0   −40 
u x :=  0 r :=  0 F :=  157
  
0  0.4   118 
Calculate the moment about the x axis

M L := u x⋅ ( r × F) M L = −62.8

Check the result using scalar math

Fy := 157 d := 0.4

M L := Fy ⋅ d M L = 62.8
5 Moment of a Couple
Ref: Hibbeler § 4.6, Bedford & Fowler: Statics § 4.4

A couple is a pair of forces, equal in magnitude, oppositely directed, and displaced by perpendicular
distance, d.

FA

FB (= -FA)

Since the forces are equal and oppositely directed, the resultant force is zero. But the displacement of
the force couple (d) does create a couple moment.
The moment, M, about some arbitrary point O can be calculated.

FA
d
FB

rA
rB

O
M = rA × FA + rB × FB
= rA × FA + rB × (− FA )

If point O is placed on the line of action of one of the forces, say FB, then that force causes no rotation
(or tendency toward rotation) and the calculation of the moment is simplified.

FA
r
FB
O

M = r × FA

This is a significant result: The couple moment, M, depends only on the position vector r between
forces FA and FB. The couple moment does not have to be determined relative to the location of a
point or an axis.
Example A: Moment from a Large Hand Wheel
The stem on a valve has two hand wheels: a small wheel (30 cm diameter) used to spin the valve
quickly as it is opened and closed, and a large wheel (80 cm diameter) that may be used to free a
stuck valve, or seat the valve tightly when it is fully closed.

80 cm

30 cm

If the operator can impose a force of 150 N on each side of the large wheel (a force couple), what
moment is imposed on the valve stem?

FA = 150 N
rA
rB
FB = 150 N

Solution 1
As drawn, both the force and position vectors have x- and y-components. The vectors may be defined
as:

 106.06   −106.06
FA :=  −106.06 ⋅ N FB :=  106.06 ⋅ N
 
 0   0 

 28.284  −28.284
rA :=  28.284 ⋅ cm rB :=  −28.284 ⋅ cm
 
 0   0 
The moment of the couple can be calculated using the cross product operator on the Matrix toolbar.

 0 
M := rA × FA + rB × FB M= 0 N⋅ m

 −120 
The result is a couple moment of 120 N⋅m directed in the –z direction (into the page).
Solution 2
Perhaps a more reasonable positioning of the axes for this problem might look like this:
x

FA = 150 N
y

r
FB = 150 N

In this case, the vector definitions become:

 0   80 
FA :=  −150 ⋅ N r :=  0 ⋅ cm
 
 0  0
Since the position vector r originates from the line of action of force FB, FB does not contribute to the
moment. The moment is then calculated as

 0 
M := r × FA M= 0 N⋅ m

 −120 
The result is, of course, the same no matter how the axes are situated.

Solution 3: Using Scalars

Finally, the problem can also be solved using a scalar formulation. The perpendicular distance
between the forces is 80 cm. With axes established as in Solution 2, the moment can be calculated
as

M := ( 80⋅ cm) ⋅ ( 150⋅ N) M = 120 N⋅ m

The direction must be determined using the right-hand rule.

Annotated Mathcad Worksheet
Solution 1
Define the vectors

 106.06   −106.06
FA :=  −106.06 ⋅ N FB :=  106.06 ⋅ N
 
 0   0 

 28.284  −28.284
rA :=  28.284 ⋅ cm rB :=  −28.284 ⋅ cm
 
 0   0 
Compute the moment using the cross product operator from the Matrix toolbar

 0 
M := rA × FA + rB × FB M= 0 N⋅ m

 −120 

Solution 2
Define the vectors

 0   80 
FA :=  −150 ⋅ N r :=  0 ⋅ cm
 
 0  0

Compute the moment

 0 
M := r × FA M= 0 N⋅ m

 −120 
Solution 3
Define the applied force and the perpendicular distance between the forces

F := 150⋅ N d := 80⋅ cm

Compute the moment

M := d ⋅ F M = 120 N⋅ m

Example B: Moment from the Small Hand Wheel

The moment resulting from applying the same forces to the smaller hand wheel can be determined
using any of the three solution procedures outlined above. Solution 2 is shown here.
x
y

FA = 150 N
FB = 150 N r
Solution 2: Small Hand Wheel
Define the vectors

 0   30 
FA :=  −150 ⋅ N r :=  0 ⋅ cm
 
 0  0

Compute the moment

 0 
M := r × FA M= 0 N⋅ m

 −45 
6 Reduction of a Simple Distributed Loading
Ref: Hibbeler § 4.10, Bedford & Fowler: Statics § 7.3

Loads are often not applied to specific points, but are distributed across a region. Design calculations
can be simplified by finding a single equivalent force acting at a point; this is called reduction of a
distributed loading. For loads distributed across a single direction (beam loading, for example) we
need to find the both the magnitude of the equivalent force, and the position at which the equivalent
force acts.

Example 1: Load Distribution Expressed as a Function of Position, x

The load on a beam is distributed as shown below:
p(x) = b0 + b1 x + b2 x2 + b3 x3 + b4 x4

where b0 through b4 are coefficients obtained by fitting a polynomial to data values (see Example 2).
The x values range from 0.05 to 0.85 meters. The pressure is expressed in Pa. The values of the
coefficients are tabulated below.
b x10-4
b0 0.107
b1 -1.68
b2 11.9
b3 -19.9
b4 9.59

The data represent the pressure on the floor beneath a pile of 12-foot 2x4’s, so y = 12 feet or 3.66 m.
Determine:
a) the two-dimensional loading function, w(x)
b) the magnitude and position of the equivalent force.

Solution 1
The two-dimensional loading function is obtained from the pressure function using the length of the
boards, y = 3.66 m.
w ( x ) = p( x ) y
( )
= b 0 + b1 x + b 2 x 2 + b 3 x 3 + b 4 x 4 (3.66)
The units on w are Pa.m.
The magnitude of the resultant force is obtained by integration.
 ∫
FR = w ( x ) dx
L

Mathcad can perform this integration.

y := 3.66 meters

 1.07⋅ 103 
 4
 −1.68⋅ 10 
b :=  1.19⋅ 105 
 
 −1.99⋅ 105 
 
 9.59⋅ 104

p ( x) :=  b + b ⋅ x + b ⋅ x + b ⋅ x + b ⋅ x
2 3 4 Pascals
 0 1 2 3 4 
N/m
w( x) := p ( x) ⋅ y

0.85
⌠
FR :=  w( x) dx
⌡
0.05

FR = 6237 Newtons

The location at which the resultant force acts is found by calculating the centroid of the area defined
by w(x).

0.85
⌠
 x⋅ w( x) dx
⌡
0.05
xloc :=
0.85
⌠
 w( x) dx
⌡
0.05

xloc = 0.496 meters

Example 2: Tabulated Load Distribution

The function used in Example 1 was obtained by polynomial regression of a set of data values,
representing the pressure acting on the floor beneath a pile of 2x4 (inch, or 50x100 mm) lumber.
 12

9
8
7

4 4
3
2
1

Using the density of wood (approximately 700 kg/m3) and the lumber dimensions, the pressure
exerted by the wood on the floor at the bottom of each stack of lumber was calculated (see table).
The reported x value represents the position of the center of each column of boards.
x (m) p (Pa)
0.05 343
0.15 1029
0.25 1372
0.35 2401
0.45 3087
0.55 4116
0.65 2744
0.75 1372
0.85 686

Use the tabulated pressure, position data to estimate the magnitude and position of the equivalent
force.

Solution 2
w values can be calculated from pressure values, as before:
w = p⋅ y
  0.05   343 
 0.15   1029 
 0.25   1372 
 0.35   2401 
   
x :=  0.45  ⋅ m p :=  3087  ⋅ Pa
 0.55   4116 
   
 0.65   2744 
 0.75   1372 
 0.85  686
   

y := 3.66⋅ m

w := p ⋅ y

 1.255 × 103 

 3
 3.766 × 10 
 5.022 × 103 
 
 8.788 × 103 
 
w =  1.13 × 104  Pa⋅ m
 
 1.506 × 104 
 4
 1.004 × 10 
 3
 5.022 × 10 
 3
 2.511 × 10 

The integral for force is approximated as a summation:

N
FR ≈ ∑w
i =1
i ∆x

where ∆x is the width of a stack (0.10 m) and N is the number of stacks (9).

∆x := 0.10⋅ m

9
FR := ∑ w ⋅ ∆x
i
i=1

FR = 6277N

Note: The matrix index ORIGIN was set to 1 (rather than Mathcad’s default value of 0) for this
example using Math/Options/Array Origin.
Similarly, the centroid is approximated as follows:

9
∑ x ⋅ w ⋅ ∆x
i i
i=1
xloc :=
9
∑ w ⋅ ∆x
i
i=1

xloc = 0.49m

Annotated Mathcad Worksheets

Solution 1
Solution Using Loading Function
First, the polynomial coefficients for the pressure function are entered...

 1.07⋅ 103 
 4
 −1.68⋅ 10 
b :=  1.19⋅ 105 
 
 5
−1.99⋅ 10
 
 9.59⋅ 104
 
p ( x) :=  b + b ⋅ x + b ⋅ x + b ⋅ x + b ⋅ x
2 3 4 Pascals
 0 1 2 3 4 
The w(x) function is declared using the p(x) function and the width of the boards, y.
y := 3.66 meters

w( x) := p ( x) ⋅ y N/m

The magnitude of the resultant force is calculated.

0.85
⌠
FR :=  w( x) dx
⌡
0.05
3 Newtons
FR = 6.237 × 10

The location of the resultant force is calculated.

0.85
⌠
 x⋅ w( x) dx
⌡
0.05
xloc :=
0.85
⌠
 w( x) dx
⌡
0.05

xloc = 0.496 meters

Solution 2
Solution Using Tabulated Data

 0.05   343 
 0.15   1029 
 0.25   1372 
   
 0.35   2401 
x :=  0.45  ⋅ m p :=  3087  ⋅ Pa
 0.55   4116 
   
 0.65   2744 
 0.75   1372 
 0.85  686
   

y := 3.66⋅ m

Calculate w values from pressure values using the length of the boards.

w := p ⋅ y

 1.255 × 103 

 3.766 × 103 
 
 5.022 × 103 
 
 8.788 × 103 
 
w =  1.13 × 104  Pa⋅ m
 4

 1.506 × 10 
 4

 1.004 × 10 
 3
 5.022 × 10 
 3
 2.511 × 10 
Calculate the magnitude of the resultant force (the use of a
summation instead of an integration makes this an approximate result).

∆x := 0.10⋅ m

9
FR := ∑ w ⋅ ∆x
i
i=1

FR = 6277N

Calculate the location of the resultant force

9
∑ x ⋅ w ⋅ ∆x
i i
i=1
xloc :=
9
∑ w ⋅ ∆x
i
i=1

xloc = 0.49m
A Final Note
Both of these solutions are approximations. The second method approximates the integrals using
summations, while the first method approximates the solution because the polynomial regression is a
“best fit” but not a perfect fit to the data. In the graph shown here, the circles represent the tabulated
values in Example 2, while the pressures predicted by the polynomial are indicated by the dashed
line.

4000

pp
2000

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
x
7 Equilibrium of a Rigid Body
Ref: Hibbeler § 5.1-5.3, Bedford & Fowler: Statics § 5.1-5.2

When forces are applied to rigid bodies, the conditions of equilibrium can be used to determine any
unknown forces, and the reactions at the supports.

Example 1: Spring Support

A force, F, is applied to the end of a bar to stretch a spring until the bar is horizontal. If the spring
constant is k = 600 N/m and the unstretched length of the spring assembly (spring and connecting
links) is 75 mm, and ignoring the mass of the bar, determine:
a) the magnitude of the applied force, F, and
b) the reactions at point A.

90°
28°

16 mm

x
A

120 mm

150 mm
F

Solution
First, a free-body diagram is drawn.
 y

Fspring

90°
28°

16 mm
Ax A
x

120 mm

150 mm
F

Ay

We have assumed that the reactions at A will include both x and y components, and will calculate the
actual values of Ax and Ay as part of the solution process.
First, a little trigonometry is required to obtain the extended length of the spring assembly.

120⋅ mm
Lext :=
cos ( 28⋅ deg )

Lext = 136mm

Then, we can calculate the actual extension of the spring…

Lunstretched := 75⋅ mm

Lstretch := Lext − Lunstretched

Lstretch = 61mm

…and the spring force, Fspring.

N
kspring := 600⋅
m

Fspring := kspring ⋅ Lstretch

Fspring = 36.5N

Next, we calculate the x and y components of the spring force, using the angle from the positive x
axis (not just 28°) so that the direction of the force is accounted for.
 α := ( 180 − 28) ⋅ deg << angle from +x axis

Fsp_x := Fspring ⋅ cos ( α ) Fsp_x = −32.3 N acting in -x direction

Fsp_y := Fspring ⋅ sin ( α ) Fsp_y = 17.2N

At equilibrium the sum of the moments at A must be zero. We can use this to solve for the applied
force, F.

Fsp_x ⋅ ( 16⋅ mm) + Fsp_y ⋅ ( 120⋅ mm) + F⋅ ( 150⋅ mm) 0

Solve for F...

Fsp_x ⋅ ( 16⋅ mm) + Fsp_y ⋅ ( 120⋅ mm)

F := −
150⋅ mm

F = −17.2 N acting to cause clockwise rotation

Notes:
ƒ The first equation in the last example block states the equilibrium relationship, but was not
actually solved by Mathcad. Only the equation after “Solve for F…” was actually used to
calculate F.
ƒ The absolute value operator was used on Fsp_x since the direction of rotation was accounted
for as the equilibrium equation was written. Here, counter-clockwise rotation was assumed
positive.
The equilibrium relationships for the x and y components of force can be used to determine the
reactions at A. First, x-component equilibrium requires that the sum of the x components of force be
zero. This relationship is used to solve for Ax.

A x + Fsp_x 0

Solve for Ax.

A x := −Fsp_x

A x = 32.267N acting in +x direction

Finally, the equilibrium relationship for the sum of the y components of force is used to calculate Ay.

A y + Fsp_y + F 0

Solve for Ay.

A y := −Fsp_y − F

A y = 0.0105N
Annotated Mathcad Worksheet
Spring Support Problem

Find the total extended length of spring assembly.

120⋅ mm
Lext :=
cos ( 28⋅ deg )

Lext = 136mm

Calculate the spring's extension.

Lunstretched := 75⋅ mm

Lstretch := Lext − Lunstretched

Lstretch = 61mm

Calculate spring force.

N
kspring := 600⋅
m

Fspring := kspring ⋅ Lstretch

Fspring = 36.5N

Find x and y components of spring force.

α := ( 180 − 28) ⋅ deg << angle from +x axis

Fsp_x := Fspring ⋅ cos ( α ) Fsp_x = −32.3 N acting in -x direction

Fsp_y := Fspring ⋅ sin ( α ) Fsp_y = 17.2N

Use the sum of the moments about A to find applied force F.

At equilibrium, the sum of the moments at A must be zero. Here,
counter-clockwise rotation is considered positive.

Fsp_x ⋅ ( 16⋅ mm) + Fsp_y ⋅ ( 120⋅ mm) + F⋅ ( 150⋅ mm) 0

Solve for F...

Fsp_x ⋅ ( 16⋅ mm) + Fsp_y ⋅ ( 120⋅ mm)

F := −
150⋅ mm

F = −17.2 N acting to cause clockwise rotation

Use x and y component force balances to solve for the reactions at A.

At equilibrium, the sum of the x components of force must be zero.

A x + Fsp_x 0

Solve for Ax.

A x := −Fsp_x

A x = 32.267N acting in +x direction

At equilibrium, the sum of the y components of force must be zero.

A y + Fsp_y + F 0

Solve for Ay.

A y := −Fsp_y − F

A y = 0.0105N
8 Dry Friction
Ref: Hibbeler § 8.2, Bedford & Fowler: Statics § 9.1

To move a heavy crate, such as the one illustrated in the example below, you have to push on it. If
you push hard enough to overcome friction, the crate will slide along the floor. But there is the danger
that the crate will tip, especially if you push too high on the side of the crate. To better understand the
calculations involved with this dry friction problem, and to see how you can check for tipping, we will
solve the “sliding a crate” problem for several cases, varying the push height between 0.2 and 1 m,
and the magnitude of the pushing force between 100 and 120 N.

Example: Pushing a Crate

A force, P, is applied to the side of a crate at height yP from the floor. The crate weighs 35 kg, and is
0.5 m wide and 1.0 m in height. The coefficient of static friction is 0.32. For each of the test cases
tabulated below, determine:
a) the magnitude of the friction force, F,
b) the magnitude of the resultant normal force, NC, and
c) the distance, x, (measured from the origin indicated in the illustration below) at which the
resultant normal force acts.
Once these results have been calculated, check for tipping and/or slipping.
y

0.25 m 0.25 m

1m

yP
O x

NC

Test Cases P yP
1 100 N 0.2 m
2 100 N 0.4 m
3 100 N 0.8 m
4 100 N 1.0 m
5 120 N 0.2 m
6 120 N 0.4 m
7 120 N 0.8 m
8 120 N 1.0 m
Solution, Case 1
First, a free-body diagram is drawn.
y
xcrit =
0.25 m

yP
O x

NC

To start a Mathcad worksheet, we assign the values given in the problem statement to variables.

Data from the problem statement...

for all cases: M := 35⋅ kg µ s := 0.32 xcrit := 0.25⋅ m

for specific case: case := "1" P := 100⋅ N y P := 0.2⋅ m

Then we calculate the weight of the crate.

W := −M ⋅ g

W = −343.2 N
Note: The acceleration due to gravity, g, is a predefined variable in Mathcad.
Next, we use the equilibrium condition that the sum of the forces in the x direction must be zero. (This
condition holds if the crate is not sliding or tipping.)

P+F 0

so...

F := −P

F = −100 N acts in the -x direction

Then, we use the equilibrium relationship for the y-components of force to determine the resultant
normal force, NC.

W + NC 0

so...

NC := −W

NC = 343.2N

The last equilibrium relationship, that the sum of the moments about O must be zero, can be used to
determine the location at which NC acts, called x in the illustration above.

−P⋅ y P + NC⋅ x 0

so...

P⋅ y P
x :=
NC

x = 0.058m
At this point the equilibrium calculations are complete. We can solve for Fmax, the maximum force that
can be applied before overcoming friction. If the frictional force, F, exceeds Fmax, then the crate would
slip. (As it begins to slip, the equilibrium relationships are no longer valid.)

Fmax := µ s ⋅ NC

Fmax = 109.8N

(
slipCheck := if F > Fmax, "slipping" , "not slipping" )
slipCheck = "not slipping"
Note: The absolute value operator was used on F since both the magnitude and direction of F (the
minus sign) were determined using the equilibrium relationship. Only the magnitude is used to test for
slippage.
Finally, we can check for tipping by testing to see if the calculated x is beyond the edge of the crate
(xcrit).

(
tipCheck := if x > xcrit , "tipping" , "not tipping" )
tipCheck = "not tipping"
Note: The if() functions are certainly not required here – the test could be performed by inspection –
but it is convenient to let Mathcad do the checking for each of the eight cases.
From these test we can see that a push of 100 N applied at a height of 0.2 m will not cause the crate
to tip, but it will not cause the crate to move (slip), either.

Solution, Case 2
The only change between Case 1 and Case 2 is the height at which the push is applied. In Case 2
yP = 0.4 m. This value is change at the top of the worksheet, and Mathcad automatically recalculates
the remaining calculations. The complete, annotated worksheet for Case 2 is shown below.
Annotated Mathcad Worksheet – Case 2
Data from the problem statement...

for all cases: M := 35⋅ kg µ s := 0.32 xcrit := 0.25⋅ m

for specific case: case := "2" P := 100⋅ N y P := 0.4⋅ m

Calculate the weight of the crate.

W := −M⋅ g

W = −343.2 N

EQUILIBRIUM: The sum of the x components of force is zero.

P+F 0

so...

F := −P

F = −100 N acts in the -x direction

EQUILIBRIUM: The sum of the y components of force is zero.

W + NC 0

so...

NC := −W

NC = 343.2N

EQUILIBRIUM: The sum of the moments about O is zero.

−P⋅ y P + NC⋅ x 0

so...

P⋅ y P
x :=
NC

x = 0.117m

Checking the results...

Fmax := µ s ⋅ NC
Fmax = 109.8N

(
slipCheck := if F > Fmax, "slipping" , "not slipping" )
slipCheck = "not slipping"

(
tipCheck := if x > xcrit , "tipping" , "not tipping" )
tipCheck = "not tipping"

Summary of Results for All Eight Cases

By repeatedly changing the assigned values for P and yP in the worksheet, the results for all cases
can be determined. Those results are summarized here. The value NC = 343.2 N is not case
dependent in this problem.
Test Cases P yP F x Slip? Tip?
1 100 N 0.2 m -100 N 0.058 m No No
2 100 N 0.4 m -100 N 0.117 m No No
3 100 N 0.8 m -100 N 0.233 m No No
4 100 N 1.0 m -100 N 0.291 m* No Yes
5 120 N 0.2 m -120 N 0.070 m Yes No
6 120 N 0.4 m -120 N 0.140 m Yes No
7 120 N 0.8 m -120 N 0.280 m* Yes Yes
8 120 N 1.0 m -120 N 0.350 m* Yes Yes

* The calculated result for x has no meaning except to indicate that the crate is tipping if x > xcrit.
9 Finding the Centroid of Volume
Ref: Hibbeler § 9.2, Bedford & Fowler: Statics § 7.4

The centroid of volume is the geometric center of a body. If the density is uniform throughout the
body, then the center of mass and center of gravity correspond to the centroid of volume. The
definition of the centroid of volume is written in terms of ratios of integrals over the volume of the
body.

∫ x dV
V
∫ y dV
V
∫ z dV
V
x= y= z=
∫
V
dV ∫
V
dV ∫ dV
V

Either analytical or numerical integration methods can be used to evaluate these integrals and
compute the centroid of volume for the body.

The integrals over volume take slightly different forms depending on the coordinate system you use.
Cartesian Coordinates
z2 y2 x2
∫ dV = ∫ ∫ ∫
V
z1 y1 x1
dx dy dz

or, in Mathcad’s form (integral limits in the same order as the d’s)
x2 y2 z2
∫ dV = ∫ ∫ ∫
V
x1 y1 z1
dx dy dz

Cylindrical Coordinates
z2 θ2 r2
∫ dV = ∫ ∫ ∫
V
z1 θ1 r1
r dr dθ dz

Spherical Coordinates
φ2 θ2 r2
∫ dV = ∫ ∫ ∫
V
φ1 θ1 r1
r 2 sin φ dr dθ dφ

These integrals can be evaluated using analytical or numerical integration techniques. Both will be
illustrated here.

Example: Centroid of a Hemisphere

Find the centroid of volume for a hemisphere of radius R = 7 cm.
 z

x y
Note: This simple example will allow us to check our results against published values. For example,
Hibbeler shows (inside back cover) that the centroid for a hemisphere resting on the plane formed by
the x and y axes to be located at x = 0, y = 0, z = 3/8 R.

Solution: Analytical Integration

Mathematically, the integration for volume of a hemisphere (the denominator of the volume centroid
equation) looks like this:
π/2 2π R
∫
V = dV =
V
∫ ∫ ∫
φ=0 θ=0 r =0
r 2 sin φ dr dθ dφ

In Mathcad, this triple integral can be written as

π
⌠ 2 2⋅ π R
 ⌠ ⌠ 2
   r ⋅ sin ( φ) dr dθ dφ
⌡ ⌡ ⌡
0 0 0

and evaluated using the symbolic math processor.

π
⌠ 2 2⋅ π R
 ⌠ ⌠ 2 2
 r ⋅ sin ( φ) dr dθ dφ → ⋅ π⋅ R
3
 
⌡ ⌡ ⌡ 3
0 0 0

The volume of the hemisphere is 2/3 π R3 – hardly a surprise.

Alternatively, the volume can be calculated by using the equation for the area of a circle, and
integrating in only one direction, z.
To use this approach, first note that the area of the base is easily calculated, as A = π R2.

A = π R2

x y
The area of the circle formed by any x-y plane through the hemisphere is calculated as a = π r2.

z
a=π r2
r
r
z
R
z

x y
where the value of r depends on z. The relationship between r and z is readily determined, since r
and z are two sides of a right triangle in which the hypotenuse is the radius of the hemisphere, R.

r = R 2 − z2
We then integrate the area of the circle from z = 0 to z = R.

∫ (π r ) dz = ∫ ( )
R R R
∫ ∫
2
V = dV = a dz = π R 2 − z 2 dz
z =0 z =0 z =0
V

Mathcad will do this calculation as well, with the same result.

R
⌠

⌡
( 2
π⋅ R − z dz →
2 ) 2
⋅ π⋅ R
3

0 3

The denominator of the centroid equation is now known, let’s work on the numerator…

The numerator of the volume centroid equation is just like the denominator, except for the extra
coordinate direction.

∫ z dV
V
z=
∫ dV
V

To calculate the volume centroid of the hemisphere, simply include the extra z in the numerator’s
integral.

R
⌠
 (
z⋅ π⋅ R − z dz
2 2 )
⌡
0 3
→ ⋅R
R 8
⌠

⌡
(
π⋅ R − z dz
2 2 )
0

We obtained the expected result, z = 83 R .

Note: Since the hemisphere exhibits symmetry in the x- and y-coordinate directions, we only need to
calculate z . By symmetry, x and y are zero.
Mathcad Worksheet

π
⌠ 2 2⋅ π R
 ⌠ ⌠ 3
   r ⋅ sin ( φ) dr dθ dφ→
⌡ ⌡ ⌡
0 0 0

R
⌠

⌡
( 2
π⋅ R − z dz→ )
2

R
⌠

⌡
(
z⋅ π⋅ R − z dz
2 2 )
0
→
R
⌠
 (
π⋅ R − z dz
2 2 )
⌡
0

Solution: Numerical Integration

To approximate the result using numerical integration methods, rewrite the integral as a sum and the
dz as a ∆z. Graphically (for the volume calculation in the denominator) this is equivalent to
approximating the volume of the hemisphere by a series of stacked disks of thickness ∆z. One such
disk is shown in the figure below.

z
Vi = π ri2 ∆z
ri
∆z
zi

x y
Here, the value of r at the current (point “i”) value of z has been used to calculate the volume of the
disk. Since R = 7 cm in this example, we might try a ∆z of 1 cm, and calculate the volumes of seven
disks (N = 7). For each disk, the value of zi can be calculated using
z i = i ∆z

The value of the corresponding radius is then

ri = R 2 − z i 2

The formula for volume can then be written in terms of z, as

(
Vi = π R 2 − z i 2 ∆z )
The sum of all of the volumes of all seven disks is an approximation of the volume of the hemisphere.
 ∑ V = ∑ π [R ]
N N
V≈ i
2
− (i ∆z )2 ∆z
i =1 i =1

In Mathcad, this calculation looks like this:

R := 7⋅ cm

N := 7

R
∆z :=
N

∆z = 1 cm

N
π⋅  R − ( i⋅ ∆z)
2
∑
2
V :=  ⋅ ∆z
i=1

3
V = 637.743cm
We can see how good (or bad) the approximation is by calculating the actual volume of the
hemisphere.

2 3
Vactual := ⋅ πR
3

3
Vactual = 718.378cm

The approximation using only seven disks is not too good. If we use more disks, say N = 70, the
approximation of the volume is quite a bit better.

R := 7⋅ cm

N := 70

R
∆z :=
N

∆z = 0.1cm

N
π⋅  R − ( i⋅ ∆z)
2
∑
2
V :=  ⋅ ∆z
i=1

3
V = 710.644cm
To calculate the centroid using numerical methods, simply replace the ratio of integrals by the
numerical approximation:
 ∫ z dV ∑ z π [R ]
N
2
− (i ∆z )2 ∆z
V i =1
z= ≈
∫ ∑ π [R ]
N
dV 2
− (i ∆z )2 ∆z
V
i =1

Again, the extra “z” has been included in the numerator as (i ∆z). In Mathcad, the calculation of the
centroid looks like this:

N
∑ (i⋅ ∆z) ⋅ π⋅  R2 − (i⋅ ∆z) 2 ⋅ ∆z
i=1
zbar :=
N
π⋅  R − ( i⋅ ∆z)
2
∑
2
 ⋅ ∆z
i=1

zbar = 2.653cm

We can use the analytical result to check our answer.

3
zbar_act := ⋅ R
8

zbar_act = 2.625cm

Annotated Mathcad Worksheet

R := 7⋅ cm << define the system

N := 70 << choose a number of disks

R
∆z := << calculate the thickness of a disk
N

∆z = 0.1cm

N
∑ ( i⋅ ∆z) ⋅ π⋅  R2 − ( i⋅ ∆z) 2 ⋅ ∆z
i=1
zbar := << calculate the centroid
N
π⋅  R − ( i⋅ ∆z)
2
∑
2
 ⋅ ∆z
i=1

zbar = 2.653cm

3
zbar_act := ⋅ R << the analytical result can be used to check the
8 numerical result if it is available

zbar act = 2.625cm << looks pretty good.

10 Resultant of a Generalized Distributed Loading
Ref: Hibbeler § 9.5, Bedford & Fowler: Statics § 7.4

When a load is continuously distributed across an area it is possible to determine the equivalent
resultant force, and the position at which the resultant force acts. This is termed the resultant of a
generalized distributed loading. This is the generalized case of the simple distributed loading
considered earlier (#6).

Example: Load Distribution Expressed as a Function of x and y

The pressure on a surface is distributed as illustrated in the following surface plot:

Pressure Distribution

1120

1100

1080

Pressure (Pa) 1060

1040

1020

1000

This plot is described by the following function:

p( x, y) = 1000 + 230 x − 210 x 2 + 120 y − 70 y 2

The x and y values range from 0 to 1 meter. The pressure is expressed in Pa.
Determine the magnitude and location of the resultant force.

Solution
The magnitude of the resultant force is obtained by integration.

∫
FR = p( x , y) dA =
A
∫ ∫ p(x, y) dx dy
y x

Mathcad can perform this integration.

 2 2 Pascals
p ( x, y ) := 1000 + 230⋅ x − 210⋅ x + 120⋅ y − 70⋅ y
1 1
⌠ ⌠
FR :=   p ( x, y ) dx dy
⌡ ⌡
0 0

FR = 1082 Newtons

The location at which the resultant force acts is found by calculating the centroid of the volume
defined by the distributed loading diagram.

1 1
⌠ ⌠
  x⋅ p ( x, y ) dx dy
⌡ ⌡
0 0
xloc := meters
1 1
⌠ ⌠
  p ( x, y ) dx dy
⌡ ⌡
0 0

xloc = 0.502 meters

1 1
⌠ ⌠
  y ⋅ p ( x, y ) dx dy
⌡ ⌡
0 0
y loc := meters
1 1
⌠ ⌠
  p ( x, y ) dx dy
⌡ ⌡
0 0

y loc = 0.504 meters

Annotated Mathcad Worksheet
Resultant of a Generalized Distributed Loading

First, enter the pressure distribution function...

2 2 Pascals
p ( x, y ) := 1000 + 230⋅ x − 210⋅ x + 120⋅ y − 70⋅ y

Calculate the magnitude of the resultant force.

1 1
⌠ ⌠
FR :=   p ( x, y ) dx dy
⌡ ⌡
0 0

FR = 1082 Newtons

Calculate the x and y positions of the resultant force.

1 1
⌠ ⌠
  x⋅ p ( x, y ) dx dy
⌡ ⌡
0 0
xloc := meters
1 1
⌠ ⌠
  p ( x, y ) dx dy
⌡ ⌡
0 0

xloc = 0.502 meters

1 1
⌠ ⌠
  y ⋅ p ( x, y ) dx dy
⌡ ⌡
0 0
y loc := meters
1 1
⌠ ⌠
  p ( x, y ) dx dy
⌡ ⌡
0 0

y loc = 0.504 meters

11 Calculating Moments of Inertia
Ref: Hibbeler § 10.1-10.2, Bedford & Fowler: Statics § 8.1-8.2

Calculating moments of inertia requires evaluating integrals. This can be accomplished either
symbolically, or using numerical approximations. Mathcad’s ability to integrate functions to generate
numerical results is illustrated here.

Example: Moment of Inertia of an Elliptical Surface

Determine the moment of inertia of the ellipse illustrated below with respect to a) the centroidal x’
axis, and b) the x axis.
The equation of the ellipse relative to centroidal axes is

x' 2 y' 2
2
+ =1
8 14 2

y
-x x = x'

dy'
y'
x'
C

d = dy = 16

x
O

In this problem, x and y have units of cm.

Solution
The moment of inertia about the centroidal x axis is defined by the equation

∫
I x ' = y' 2 dA
A

where dA is the area of the differential element indicated in the figure above.
dA = 2 x dy'

So, the integral for moment of inertia becomes

 ∫
I x ' = y' 2 2 x dy'
A

Furthermore, x (or x’) can be related to y’ using the equation of the ellipse.
Note: Because of the location of the axes, x = x’ in this example.

 y' 2 
x = x ' = 8 2 1 − 2 
 14 
 
The equation for the moment of inertia becomes:

8  y' 2 
I x' = ∫
−8
y ' 2 2 8 2 1 − 2
 14

 dy'


Mathcad can perform this integration.

8
⌠
  y prime 
2
 2  2
Ix_prime :=  y prime ⋅ 2⋅ 8 ⋅ 1 − dy prime
 2

⌡  14 
−8

Ix_prime = 4890 cm 4

The moment of inertia relative to the original x axis can be found using the parallel-axis theorem.

I x = I x' + A d y 2

Where A is the area of the ellipse, and dy is the displacement of the centroidal y axis from the original
y axis.
The required area can be calculated by integration.

8
⌠
  y prime 
2

A := 
2
2⋅ 8 ⋅ 1 − dy prime
 2

⌡  14 
−8

A = 241.29 cm 2

Then the moment of inertia about x can be determined.

d y := 16 cm

2
Ix := Ix_prime + A ⋅ d y

Ix = 66661 cm 4
Annotated Mathcad Worksheet
Calculate the moment of inertia relative to the x' axis.

8
⌠
  2
 2 2  y prime
Ix_prime :=  y prime ⋅ 2⋅ 8 ⋅ 1 − dy prime
 2

⌡  14 
−8

Ix_prime = 4890 cm 4

Calculate the area of the ellipse.

8
⌠
  2
 2  y prime
A :=  2⋅ 8 ⋅ 1 − dy prime
 2

⌡  14 
−8

A = 241.29 cm 2

Use the parallel-axis theorem to calculate the moment

of inertia relative to the x axis.

d y := 16 cm

2
Ix := Ix_prime + A ⋅ d y

Ix = 66661 cm 4
12 Curve-Fitting to Relate s-t, v-t, and a-t Graphs
Ref: Hibbeler § 12.3, Bedford & Fowler: Dynamics § 2.2

The relationships between a particle’s position, s, velocity, v, and acceleration, a, over time are all
related. When the relationship between a particle’s velocity (for example) and time is described by a
mathematical equation, that equation can be integrated to obtain the particle’s position, and
differentiated to determine the particle’s acceleration. But what if the velocity vs. time relationship is
described by a set of data values or a graph, rather than a mathematical equation? You can still
obtain position and acceleration information, either directly from the data values (numerical
approximations of integration and differentiation), or by fitting an equation to the data, then using
calculus on the resulting equation. The curve-fitting approach will be demonstrated here.

Example: Fitting a Polynomial to Velocity Data

A driver on a straight track accelerates his car from 0 to 75 mph in 14 seconds, and then allows the
car to begin to slow. A data recorder connected to the speedometer recorded the data shown below.
Since the car is moving along a straight path, the car’s speed and velocity are equal.
t (sec.) v (mph)
0 0
1 1
2 4
3 8
4 14
5 21
6 28
7 35
8 43
9 51
10 58
11 64
12 69
13 73
14 75
15 75
16 73
17 68
18 60
19 49
20 35

Fit a curve to the v-t data, and then use the equation of the curve to plot s-t, v-t, and a-t graphs.

Solution – First Attempt

First, let’s plot the data to see what we’re working with.
 0 0
1 1
   
2 4
3 8
   
4  14 
5  21 
6  28 
   
7  35 
8  43 
9  51 
   
t :=  10  v :=  58 
 11   64  80
   
 12   69 
 13   73  60
 14   75 
   
 15   75  v 40
 16   73 
 17   68 
    20
 18   60 
 19   49 
0
  0 5 10 15 20
 20   35 
t
The graph shows the increasing velocity for the first 14 seconds then the velocity drops off again. It
looks like a smooth curve, and clean (not noisy) data.
A commonly used approach to fitting a curve to a set of data values is polynomial regression. We
might try, for example, the following second-order polynomial.1

v p = b 0 + b1 t + b 2 t 2

Mathcad provides a function for fitting linear models2 such as this polynomial, the linfit() function. This
function calculates the coefficient values that provide the best fit of the model equation to the data.
The regression model is described by a vector showing the functionality of the independent variable
(t, in this case) in each term of the model. For our second-order polynomial, the vector could be
written as follows:

0

F( t) :=  t 
 t2
 
Effectively, the F(t) vector tells linfit() what is multiplying each of the b values it is trying to calculate.
Note: We want the velocity to be zero when t = 0. A way to force this to happen is to set b0 = 0 in the
F(t) function.

1
A second-order polynomial is not a good choice for this data. A parabola is a second-order equation, and the
data shows a lot more curvature than a simple parabola. It will require a higher-order polynomial to adequately
fit this data – but the goal of the first attempt is to demonstrate that the “best fit” polynomial may still be a very
poor fit to the data.
2
For curve-fitting, the variables are the model coefficients, the b values. All of the times are known from the
data set. This polynomial is linear in the b values, so it is a linear model for curve fitting.
Then, linfit() uses the t and v values (as vectors), and the F(t) function shown above to calculate the b
values that produce the “best” fit of the polynomial to the data.

b := linfit( t , v , F)

 0 
b =  8.227

 −0.271 
These coefficients tell us that the regression model is

v p = 0 + 8.227 t − 0.271 t 2

The subscript p indicates that the equation is used to calculate predicted values of velocity.
The calculated coefficients provide the best possible fit of the model equation to the data, but that
does not guarantee that the equation is a good fit. You should always calculate predicted values with
the regression equation and compare them to the original data to visually determine if the regression
equation is actually fitting the data.
 0 
 7.957
 
 15.372
 22.247
 
 28.58 
 34.373
 39.624
 
 44.334
 48.503
 52.131
2
 
v p := b + b ⋅ t + b ⋅ t v p =  55.218
0 1 2
 57.764 100
 
 59.768
 61.232
 62.154 v
  50
 62.535 vp
 62.375
 61.674
 
 60.432
0
 58.649 0 5 10 15 20
 t
 56.325
Clearly, the regression curve (solid line) is not doing a good job of fitting the data.

Solution – Second Attempt

We need a better regression equation. We’ll try a third-order polynomial.

v p = b 0 + b1 t + b 2 t 2 + b 3 t 3

The F(t) vector gets another element…

 0

t
F( t) :=  2 
t 
 t3
 
…and linfit() now finds four b values…

b := linfit( t , v , F)

 0 
−0.04 
b=
 1.076 
 −0.049
 
Again, we calculate predicted velocities to check the fit.

2 3
v p := b + b ⋅ t + b ⋅ t + b ⋅ t
0 1 2 3

100

vp 50

0
0 5 10 15 20
t
The new model is doing a good job of fitting the data. The regression equation that fits the data is

v p = 0 − 0.04 t + 1.076 t 2 − 0.049 t 3

This equation can be used to generate the s-t and a-t graphs.
Mathcad can integrate the vp equation to get position, s, and differentiate the equation for
acceleration, a – but there’s a problem…
…integration and differentiation requires Mathcad’s symbolic math processor. We want to integrate
and differentiate on t, but t has already been declared to be a vector of time values. We need an
unassigned variable name for the symbolic processor, and t has already been used. To get around
this, we will switch (briefly) to a new worksheet, where t is undefined.
 New Worksheet

d 
b + b ⋅ t + b ⋅ t + b ⋅ t  → b + 2⋅ b ⋅ t + 3⋅ b ⋅ t
2 3 2
dt  0 1 2 3  1 2 3

⌠
  b + b ⋅ t + b ⋅ t2 + b ⋅ t3  dt → b ⋅ t + 1 ⋅ b ⋅ t2 + 1 ⋅ b ⋅ t3 + 1 ⋅ b ⋅ t4
  0 1 2 3  0 2 1 3 2 4 3
⌡

Note: When Mathcad integrates, it does not add the constant of integration. It effectively assumed the
car was at s = 0 at t = 0.
With a bit of copying and pasting, the results of the calculus operations are returned to the original
worksheet.

2
a := b + 2⋅ b ⋅ t + 3⋅ b ⋅ t
1 2 3

1 2 1 3 1 4
s := b ⋅ t + ⋅b ⋅t + ⋅b ⋅t + ⋅b ⋅t
0 2 1 3 2 4 3
With the equations above, acceleration and position vectors a and s have been calculated by
Mathcad. All that remains is to plot the results.

10 1000

a s 500

10

20 0
0 5 10 15 20 0 5 10 15 20
t t

There are some strange units on the values plotted here. The acceleration has units of mi/sec.hr, and
the position, s, has units of mi.sec/hr. We can clean this up a bit by building the unit conversions into
the calculations for a and s.

a :=  b + 2⋅ b ⋅ t + 3⋅ b ⋅ t
2 1
⋅
 1 2 3  3600
s :=  b ⋅ t + ⋅b ⋅t + ⋅b ⋅t + ⋅b ⋅t  ⋅
1 2 1 3 1 4 1
0 2 1 3 2 4 3  3600


0.004 0.3

0.002
0.2
0
a s
0.002
0.1
0.004

0.006 0
0 5 10 15 20 0 5 10 15 20
t t
The units are now a [=] mi/sec2 and s [=] miles.

Annotated Mathcad Worksheets

Define the time and velocity vectors, and plot the v-t graph.

0 0
1 1
   
2 4
3 8
   
4  14 
5  21 
6  28 
   
7  35 
8  43 
9  51 
   
t :=  10  v :=  58 
 11   64  80
   
 12   69 
 13   73  60
 14   75 
   
 15   75  v 40
 16   73 
 17   68 
    20
 18   60 
 19   49 
0
  0 5 10 15 20
 20   35 
t

First Solution Attempt - Second-Order Polynomial

Define the polynomial using the F(t) vector.

0

F( t) :=  t 
 t2
 
Find the best-fit coefficients using the linfit() function.
b := linfit( t , v , F) Note: the linfit() function will not work with units.

 0 
b =  8.227

 −0.271 
 Calculate predicted velocity values (at each t value) to see
if the regression equation actually fits the data.
2
v p := b + b ⋅ t + b ⋅ t
0 1 2

100

v The predicted values do not agree

50 with the data values - we need a
vp
better regression equation.

0
0 5 10 15 20
t

Try a third-order polynomial.

 0 
t
F( t) :=  2 
t 
 t3  0 
 
−0.04 
b := linfit( t , v , F) b=
 1.076 
 −0.049
 
2 3
v p := b + b ⋅ t + b ⋅ t + b ⋅ t
0 1 2 3

100

vp 50 This regression equation fits well.

0
0 5 10 15 20
t

Next, we switch to a different worksheet (where t is undefined) so that Mathcad can differentiate the
regression function for acceleration and integrate it for position.
New Worksheet

d 
b + b ⋅ t + b ⋅ t + b ⋅ t  → b + 2⋅ b ⋅ t + 3⋅ b ⋅ t
2 3 2
dt  0 1 2 3  1 2 3

⌠
  b + b ⋅ t + b ⋅ t 2 + b ⋅ t 3  dt → b ⋅ t + 1 ⋅ b ⋅ t 2 + 1 ⋅ b ⋅ t 3 + 1 ⋅ b ⋅ t 4
  0 1 2 3  0 2 1 3 2 4 3
⌡

Then, the results of each calculation are copied from the new worksheet and pasted back into the
original worksheet as acceleration and position functions.
 2
a := b + 2⋅ b ⋅ t + 3⋅ b ⋅ t
1 2 3

1 2 1 3 1 4
s := b ⋅ t + ⋅b ⋅t + ⋅b ⋅t + ⋅b ⋅t
0 2 1 3 2 4 3

The units are simplified by building in the conversion from hours to seconds, and the results are
plotted.

a :=  b + 2⋅ b ⋅ t + 3⋅ b ⋅ t
2 1
⋅
 1 2 3  3600
s :=  b ⋅ t + ⋅b ⋅t + ⋅b ⋅t + ⋅b ⋅t  ⋅
1 2 1 3 1 4 1
0 2 1 3 2 4 3  3600


0.004 0.3

0.002
0.2
0
a s
0.002
0.1
0.004

0.006 0
0 5 10 15 20 0 5 10 15 20
t t
13 Curvilinear Motion: Rectangular Components
Ref: Hibbeler § 12.5, Bedford & Fowler: Dynamics § 2.3

A fixed x, y, z frame of reference is commonly used to describe the path of a particle in two situations:
1. The path “fits” the Cartesian coordinate system well (tends to follow straight lines, or simple
paths.)
2. The path does not “fit” any commonly used coordinate system well.
The example used here falls into the latter category.

Example: Finding the Velocity and Acceleration of a Particle

The complex path of a particle for times between 0 and 10 seconds has been fit using multivariable
regression to the following functions:
x ( t ) = 2 cos( t )
y( t ) = 1.3 + 2.7 t 2 − 0.031 t 3
z( t ) = 2.4 + 0.14 t 3

The position of the particle at any point in time for which the functions are valid (0 ≤ t ≤ 10 sec.) can
be determined as
r = x i + y j + zk

Given these functions for x, y, and z determine the position, and the magnitudes of the velocity and
acceleration of the particle at t = 7 sec.

Solution
The first thing we might want to do is graph this particle path, just to see what it looks like. Mathcad
can help here. First, declare the three functions of time that describe the particle’s path:

x( t) := 2⋅ cos ( t )
2 3
y ( t) := 1.3 + 0.27⋅ t − 0.031⋅ t
3
z( t) := 2.4 + 0.14⋅ t
Then declare r(t) as a three-component matrix composed of these functions.

 x( t) 
r( t) :=  y ( t)

 z( t) 
Then ask Mathcad to plot the function by placing the function name, r, in the placeholder of a 3-d
scatter plot.
 AXES
x - red
y - blue
z - green

When Mathcad sees a function name in the placeholder, it tries to evaluate the function and plot the
calculated result. Mathcad calls this a QuickPlot. Double-click on the graph to bring up the dialog box
that allows you to set the graph’s parameters. In the graph shown here, the QuickPlot range (of time
values) was changed to 0 to 10 seconds, and the colors of the axes were changed. Then (after
closing the dialog) the plot was rotated to make the path clearer by clicking and dragging the mouse
on the graph.

Solving for Position

The position is described by function r(t), so finding the position at t = 7 sec. Simply requires
evaluating r(t) at this time.

 1.508 
r( 7) =  3.897

 50.42 
So, at t = 7 seconds, the particle is located at x = 1.508, y = 3.897, and z = 50.42.

Solving for the Magnitude of the Velocity

For velocity we need to take the derivative of the x, y, and z functions. Here, the derivatives obtained
using the symbolic math process (to the right of the arrows) have been assigned to three new
functions: vx(t), vy(t), and vz(t).

d
x( t) → −2⋅ sin ( t) v x( t) := −2⋅ sin ( t)
dt

d -2 2 -2 2
y ( t) → .54⋅ t − 9.3⋅ 10 ⋅ t v y ( t) := .54⋅ t − 9.3⋅ 10 ⋅ t
dt

d 2 2
z( t) → .42⋅ t v z( t) := .42⋅ t
dt
The magnitude of the velocity at t = 7 seconds can now be determined.
 2 2 2
v := v x( 7) + v y ( 7) + v z( 7)

v = 20.637

Solving for the Magnitude of the Acceleration

To find the acceleration, we need to differentiate the vx, vy, and vz functions with respect to time. The
derivatives obtained using the symbolic math process (to the right of the arrows) have been assigned
to three new functions: ax(t), ay(t), and az(t).

d
v x( t ) → −2⋅ cos ( t ) a x( t ) := −2⋅ cos ( t )
dt

d
v y ( t ) → .54 − .18600000000000000000t
⋅ a y ( t ) := .54 − .186⋅ t
dt

d
v z( t ) → .84⋅ t a z( t ) := .84⋅ t
dt

Note: The large number of zeroes 0n the 0.186 value shows that Mathcad evaluated the value
numerically, to 20 significant digits. The value was shortened when it was used in the definition of
ay(t).
The magnitude of the acceleration at t = 7 seconds is

2 2 2
a := ax( 7) + ay ( 7) + az( 7)

a = 6.118

Annotated Mathcad Worksheet

Curvilinear Motion: Rectangular Components
Declare the time functions for the particle's path.
x( t ) := 2⋅ cos ( t)
2 3
y ( t ) := 1.3 + 0.27⋅ t − 0.031⋅ t
3
z( t ) := 2.4 + 0.14⋅ t

Declare the r(t) function.

 x( t) 
r( t) :=  y ( t)

 z( t) 
Plot the r(t) function to see the particle path.

AXES
x - red
y - blue
z - green

Evaluate r(t) at t = 7 to find the position.

 1.508 
r( 7) =  3.897

 50.42 
Take the time derivatives of x, y, and z functions.

d
x( t) → −2⋅ sin ( t) v x( t) := −2⋅ sin ( t)
dt

d -2 2 -2 2
y ( t) → .54⋅ t − 9.3⋅ 10 ⋅ t v y ( t) := .54⋅ t − 9.3⋅ 10 ⋅ t
dt

d 2 2
z( t) → .42⋅ t v z( t) := .42⋅ t
dt

Calculate the magnitude of the velocity at 7 seconds.

2 2 2
v := v x( 7) + v y ( 7) + v z( 7)

v = 20.637

Take the time derivatives of velocity functions.

d
v x( t ) → − 2⋅ cos ( t ) a x( t ) := − 2⋅ cos ( t )
dt

d
v y ( t ) → .54 − .18600000000000000000 ⋅ t a y ( t ) := .54 − .186⋅ t
dt

d
v z( t ) → .84⋅ t a z( t ) := .84⋅ t
dt

Calculate the magnitude of the acceleration at 7 seconds.

2 2 2
a := ax( 7) + ay ( 7) + az( 7)

a = 6.118
14 Curvilinear Motion, Motion of a Projectile
Ref: Hibbeler § 12.6, Bedford & Fowler: Dynamics § 2.3

Rectilinear motion refers to motion in a straight line. When a particle follows a non-straight path, it’s
motion is termed curvilinear. Projectile motion is typically curvilinear, although a projectile fired
straight up (in the absence of a crosswind), or moving along a straight track would be rectilinear
motion.

A projectile’s motion can be broken down into three phases: an acceleration phase where the
actuator (gun, catapult, golf club, etc.) gets the projectile moving. The second phase of motion is after
the projectile leaves the actuator, when the only acceleration acting on it is the acceleration due to
gravity.
Note: A common assumption that simplifies the problem considerably, but is not altogether accurate,
is that the frictional drag between the projectile and the fluid through which it moves is negligible. This
assumption is more reasonable for small, smooth, slow-moving particles through low-viscosity fluid
than for large, irregularly shaped particles moving at high speeds through highly viscous fluids.
The third phase of a projectile’s motion is after impact. The particle may roll, continue moving through
a very different medium (water or earth), or break up. Here we will consider only the second phase of
the projectile’s motion: the projectile has already been accelerated by an actuator, and is flying
through the air.

Example: Slingshot Contest

Projectile throwing contests are pretty common at engineering schools. There are several ways to run
the contest: highest, farthest, most accurate, etc; and several ways to propel the projectile: slingshot,
catapult, etc. This example focuses on a tennis ball slingshot competition.

Tennis Ball Data (approximate)

Diameter 2.5 inches (6.4 cm)
Weight 2 oz (57 g)

A team of mechanical engineering students has built a slingshot that allows precise control of the pre-
release tension and angle. They also connected the release mechanism to a digital camera to take a
series of photos in 1millisecond intervals just as the tennis ball is released. The photos are used to
calculate the velocity (speed and angle) at which the tennis ball leaves the sling.
A test run with the camera operational gave the following set of photos (superimposed).

25°

0 20 40 60 mm
Part 1.
Determine:
a. The initial velocity of the tennis ball as it leaves the sling.
b. The predicted time of flight for the ball.
c. The predicted horizontal travel distance for the ball.

Part 2.
The team that gets most balls into a basket set 30 meters from the launch site wins. If they can keep
the initial speed constant (at the test run value of 22.1 m/s), what angle should they use to shoot the
tennis balls into the basket?

Part 1. Solution
The initial velocity is calculated from the 60 mm horizontal travel distance observed in the photos
using the camera’s 1 millisecond interval between snapshots.

xtest := 60⋅ mm << horizontal travel distance for all four frames

θ := 25⋅ deg
xtest
d test :=
cos ( θ )

d test = 66.2mm << distance ball travelled in direction of motion (four frames)

∆tpic := 0.001⋅ sec

∆ttest := 3⋅ ∆tpic << 3 time intervals between the four photos

d test
v init :=
∆ttest

m
v init = 22.1
s
The horizontal and vertical components of the initial velocity will be useful for later calculations.

v y_init := v init⋅ sin ( θ )

m
v y_init = 9.3 << y component of initial velocity
s

v x_init := v init⋅ cos ( θ )

m
v x_init = 20
s

v x := v x_init << x component of velocity is constant (if air resistance is ignored)

The predicted time of flight can be calculated using

y = y 0 + v y _ init t flight + 12 a c t flight 2

where ac is the constant acceleration. In this problem, the acceleration is due to gravity and acts in
the –y direction, so ac = -g.
If we assume that the flight is over a horizontal surface, then y at the end of the flight is zero. Another
common assumption is to assume that y0 is also zero. This is a reasonable assumption if the vertical
position of the tennis ball as it leaves the sling is small compared to the maximum height reached
during the flight.
With these assumptions, the equation can be solved for the time of flight
−2 v y _ init
t flight =
ac

Using Mathcad, the time of flight is predicted to be 1.9 seconds.

ac := −g << the constant acceleration in this problem is due to gravity

−2⋅ v y_init
tflight :=
ac

tflight = 1.9s

We can calculate the maximum height to see if the assumption that y0 is negligible is reasonable. The
maximum height occurs at ½ the flight time (if y0 =yfinal, and air resistance is negligible).

y 0 := 0⋅ m

y fin := 0⋅ m
2
tflight 1  tflight 
y max := y 0 + v y_init ⋅ + ⋅ ac⋅ 
2 2  2 
y max = 4.4m
Looking at the drawing of the slingshot, the ball is released at a height about two or three times the
ball diameter, around 15 to 20 cm. 20 cm is nearly 5% of ymax. That is probably negligible, but we can
use Mathcad’s iterative solver to find tflight including y0 = 20 cm.

y 0 := 20⋅ cm

y fin := 0⋅ m

tflight := 1.9⋅ sec

given

1 2
y fin y 0 + v y_init ⋅ tflight + ⋅ ac⋅ tflight
2

(
tflight := find tflight )
tflight = 1.9232s

Accounting for the initial height increased the predicted flight time from 1.902 to 1.923 seconds (about
1% difference).
Finally, we calculate the predicted horizontal travel distance.

x0 := 0⋅ m

x := x0 + v x⋅ tflight

x = 38.5m
Annotated Mathcad Worksheet
Projectile Motion: Slingshot Contest
Calculate Initial Velocity from Test Run

xtest := 60⋅ mm << horizontal travel distance for all four frames

θ := 25⋅ deg
xtest
d test :=
cos ( θ )

d test = 66.2mm << distance ball travelled in direction of motion (four frames)

∆tpic := 0.001⋅ sec

∆ttest := 3⋅ ∆tpic << 3 time intervals between the four photos

d test
v init :=
∆ttest

m
v init = 22.1
s

v y_init := v init⋅ sin ( θ )

m
v y_init = 9.3 << y component of initial velocity
s

v x_init := v init⋅ cos ( θ )

m
v x_init = 20
s

v x := v x init << x component of velocity is constant (if air resistance is ignored)

Calculate Time of Flight

The height of the tennis ball as it leaves the slingshot has been ignored in this calculation.
This is a reasonable assumption if the initial height is small compared to the maximum
height reached by the projectile.

y 0 := 0⋅ m

y fin := 0⋅ m << assumes the ball is launched over a flat surface

ac := −g << the constant acceleration in this problem is due to gravity

−2⋅ v y_init
tflight :=
ac

tflight = 1.902s << flight time calculated ignoring initial height

2
t flight 1  tflight 
y max := y 0 + v y_init ⋅ + ⋅ ac⋅ 
2 2  2 
y max = 4.4m
 Alternative Solution Method - Include Initial Height and Use Mathcad's Iterative Solver

y 0 := 20⋅ cm

y fin := 0⋅ m

t flight := 1.9⋅ sec << use the previously calculated value as an initial guess for the solver
(The choice of guess value is not too critical,
Given but there is a second root at -0.02 seconds)

1 2
y fin y 0 + v y_init ⋅ t flight + ⋅ ac⋅ t flight
2

(
t flight := Find t flight )
t flight = 1.9232s

Calculate Horizontal Motion

x0 := 0⋅ m

x := x0 + v x⋅ t flight

x = 38.5m

Part 2. Solution
With the Mathcad worksheet, we can simply try some different angles until we calculate a predicted
horizontal travel distance of 30 meters.
First, try 20 degrees.
Projectile Motion: Slingshot Contest
Calculate Initial Velocity Components
m
v init := 22.1⋅
s

θ := 20⋅ deg
m
v y_init := v init⋅ sin ( θ ) v y_init = 7.6
s

m
v x_init := v init⋅ cos ( θ ) v x_init = 20.8
s

v x := v x_init

Calculate Time of Flight

ac := −g
−2⋅ v y_init
tflight := tflight = 1.5s
ac

Calculate Horizontal Motion

x0 := 0⋅ m

x := x0 + v x⋅ tflight x = 32m
With a little trial and error, the predicted angle should be 18.5 degrees.
Projectile Motion: Slingshot Contest
Calculate Initial Velocity Components
m
v init := 22.1⋅
s

θ := 18.5⋅ deg
m
v y_init := v init⋅ sin ( θ ) v y_init = 7
s

m
v x_init := v init⋅ cos ( θ ) v x_init = 21
s

v x := v x_init

Calculate Time of Flight

ac := −g
−2⋅ v y_init
tflight := tflight = 1.4s
ac

Calculate Horizontal Motion

x0 := 0⋅ m

x := x0 + v x⋅ tflight x = 30m
15 Curvilinear Motion: Normal and Tangential Components
Ref: Hibbeler § 12.7, Bedford & Fowler: Dynamics § 2.3

When the path of a particle is known, an n-t coordinate system with an origin at the location of the
particle (at an instant in time) can be helpful in describing the motion of the particle. Hibbeler gives a
concise procedure for analysis in section 12.7, which we will apply to the following example.

Example: A skateboarder in a quarter pipe.

A skateboarder has dropped into a 3 meter (radius) quarter pipe. When she’s dropped a distance of 1
meter her speed is 3.2 m/s and is increasing by 7.8 m/s2.
Determine the normal and tangential components of the skateboarder’s acceleration.

Solution
The equation of the skateboarder’s path is that of a quarter circle:

y = R − R2 − x2

where R is the radius, 3 m.

First, we need to determine the actual location of the skateboarder when she has dropped 1 m.

1m
n
θ

A
vA = 3.2 m/s

She is obviously R – 1 = 2 m off the ground, and her x-position can be determined from the path
equation using either Mathcad’s iterative solver (given/find), or symbolic math capability. Here, we use
a given/find solve block.
 R := 3⋅ m

y := 2⋅ m

guess: x := 0⋅ m

Given

2 2
y R− R −x

x := Find( x)

x = 2.828m
So, at the instant of interest, the skateboarder is located at x = 2.828 m, y = 2 m.
Next, the equation of the slope of the path at this point can be determined using Mathcad’s derivative
operator as follows:

2 2
Y( X) := R − R − X

d 1
Y( X) → ⋅X
dX 1

(9⋅m2 − X2)
2

Note: The path equation was written using upper-case variables (X and Y) because the lowercase
variables (x and y) have already been assigned values. If the lower-case variables had been used,
the symbolic math processor would have used the value of x to interpret the numeric value of the
derivative instead of returning the equation for the derivative.
By assigning X a value, the numeric value of the derivative can be calculated.

X := 2.828⋅ m

d
Y( X) = 2.825
dX
The angle at point A can then be determined as:

θ := atan ( 2.825)

θ = 70.507deg
The skateboarder’s acceleration can be written in terms of normal and tangential velocities, as

v2
a = v& u t + un
ρ

= 7.8 m
ut +
(3.2 ms )
2

u n
s2 ρ

The radius of curvature, ρ, of the path at the point of interest (x=2.828 m, y = 2 m) can be calculated
as:
 3
  dy  2  2
1 +   
  dx  
ρ= 
d2y
dx 2

In Mathcad, this equation is evaluated as follows:

2 2
Y( X) := R − R − X

X := 2.828⋅ m
3
2
  d Y( X)  
2
1 + 
ρ :=
  dX  
2
d
Y( X)
2
dX

ρ = 3m
The calculated radius of curvature is 3 m – which should come as no surprise since the path is a
circle of radius 3 m.
The equation for the acceleration of the skateboarder in terms of
tangential and normal components is now:

v2
a = v& u t + un
ρ un θ

= 7.8 m ut +
(3.2 ) m 2
s
un φ A
s2 3m
a

The magnitude of the acceleration is found with the following

calculation: ut
2
  m  2
2   3.2⋅
a :=  7.8⋅  + 
m  s 
 3⋅ m 
 s  
2

m
a = 8.514
2
s
While the angle, φ, is found using the atan() function.
  7.8⋅
m 
 2 
φ := atan  
s
  3.2⋅ m 
2 
  
  s

 3⋅ m 

φ = 66.365deg
The angle of the acceleration from the positive x axis is:

Angle := θ + 90⋅ deg + φ

Angle = 226.872deg

Annotated Mathcad Worksheet

Acceleration of a Skateboarder in a Quarter Pipe

First, determine her position in x,y coordinates

R := 3⋅ m

y := 2⋅ m

guess: x := 0⋅ m

Given The iterative solver was used

here, but you could also have
2 2 Mathcad solve directly for x using
y R− R −x the symbolic math processor.

x := Find( x)

x = 2.828m

Switched to capital X and Y because I want the

symbolic math processor to treat them as
variables, and lower-case x and y have already
been assigned values in this problem.

The path equation is defined.

2 2
Y( X) := R − R − X

The derivative of the path equation will be

used to determine the slope at the point of
interest.

d 1
Y( X) → ⋅X
dX 1

(9⋅ m2 − X2) 2
 The x value at the point of interest is specified
to determine the numeric value of the
derivative at that point.
X := 2.828⋅ m

d
Y( X) = 2.825
dX

The slope is used to determine the angle of

the path at the point of interest.
θ := atan ( 2.825)

θ = 70.507deg

The radius of curvature at the point of

interest is calculated.
Note: This is done simply to show how Mathcad
can calculate these derivatives - the radius of
curvature is constant at 3 m for this path.
3
2
 2
 1 +  d Y( X)  
ρ :=
  dX  
2
d
Y( X)
2
dX

ρ = 3m

The magnitude of the acceleration is calculated.

2
 2
 3.2⋅ m  
2 
 s  
a :=  7.8⋅  + 
m
 
2  3⋅ m 
 s 

m
a = 8.514
2
s

The angle of the acceleration (relative

to the t,n coordinate system) is
calculated.

 7.8⋅ m
  2
φ := atan  
s
  3.2⋅ m  
2
  
  s

 3⋅ m 

φ = 66.365deg

The angle of the acceleration relative

to positive x axis is calculated.

Angle := θ + 90⋅ deg + φ

Angle = 226.872deg
16 Dependent Motion of Two Particles
Ref: Hibbeler § 12.9, Bedford & Fowler: Dynamics, chapter 2 (no directly analogous section)

Sometimes the motion of one particle depends on the motion of another – this is called dependent
motion. One situation that creates dependent motion is when two particles are connected by a cord
around a pulley.

If weight A is pulled downward, weight B will be raised, but the total length of the cord, Ltotal, (assumed
inextensible) is constant. The total length of the cord can be described in terms of cord lengths that
change, sA and sB, and unchanging lengths, combined and called Lconst (shown in red in the next
figure.)

DATUM

sA
sB

A
0.3 m/s

2 s B + s A + L const = L total

Differentiating this equation with respect to time yields the time rates of change of position, or
velocities of each weight.
 ds B ds A
2 + +0=0
dt dt
2 v B = −v A

So, if weight A moves down at 0.3 m/s, weight B will move up at 0.15 m/s.

Example: Four Pulley System

At what rate, and in which direction must weight A move if weight B is to fall at a rate of 0.3 m/s?

0.3 m/s
B
A
Solution
There is a single cord between weights A and B, so the motion of one of the weights is dependent
upon one the other. While the physical system is somewhat more complex than the original, 2-pulley
example, the solution is not very different. The total length of the cord is made up of 9 segments, as
shown in the figure below. There are 4 equivalent-length sections that lengthen as weight B is
lowered. The length of each of these sections is labeled SB.

DATUM

sB

sA

0.3 m/s
B
A
The length of the cord segment connected to weight A is labeled SA. There are four cord segments
around the four pulleys that do not change as the weights move. These segments are shown in red in
the figure, and their lengths are combined and called Lconst. The total cord length, then, is
4 s B + s A + L const = L total

Differentiating this equation with respect to time yields the time rates of change of position, or
velocities of each weight.
ds B ds A
4 + +0=0
dt dt
4 v B = −v A

So, if weight B moves down at 0.3 m/s, weight A will move up at 1.2 m/s.

So far, these problems require only simple calculus, and there is little need for Mathcad’s calculational
abilities. However, when there are several cords involved, Mathcad’s matrix math capabilities can
come into play.

Example: Three Cord System

In the example shown below, three cords are connected around a complicated pulley system. The
length of each of the cords is constant, so the sum of the segment lengths can be written for each
cord.

B 0.3 m/s

To simplify things a bit, we first determine which segments are of constant length, shown in gray in the
following figure. Then the segments that are changing length are labeled (S1 through S6, as shown in
the figure.)
 DATUM

S5

LLINK
S6

S3

S4

B 0.3 m/s

S1
S2

The following relationships involving the changing segment lengths can be written:
1) Segments S1 and S2, plus a fixed length, FG, sum to the total length of the green cord. LG.
2) Segments S3 and S4, plus a fixed length, FB, sum to the total length of the blue cord. LB.
3) Segments S5 and S6, plus a fixed length, FY, sum to the total length of the yellow cord. LY.
Two additional relationships can be written:
4) Segments S1, S3, S5 and the length of the floating link, LLINK, sum to an unknown, but
constant (fixed) length, F1.
5) Segments S4, S5 and the length of the floating link, LLINK, sum to an unknown, but constant
(fixed) length, F2.
In summary, the following five equations are written:
S1 + S 2 + FG = L G
S 3 + S 4 + FB = L B
S 5 + S 6 + FY = L Y
S1 + S 3 + S 5 + L LINK = F1
S 4 + S 5 + L LINK = F2

Taking time derivatives, the segment lengths become velocities, and the constant terms go to zero.
v1 + v 2 + 0 = 0
v3 + v 4 + 0 = 0
v5 + v6 + 0 = 0
v1 + v 3 + v 5 + 0 = 0
v 4 + v5 + 0 = 0

Since v6 is known to be 0.3 m/s (downward), these 5 equations in 5 unknowns can be solved.
Including the known value, the equations become…
 v1 + v 2 = 0
v3 + v 4 = 0
v 5 = −0.3
v1 + v 3 + v 5 = 0
v 4 + v5 = 0

To solve these simultaneous linear equations using matrix methods in Mathcad, we rewrite the
equations as a coefficient matrix, C, and a right-hand-side vector, r.

1 1 0 0 0  0 
0 0 1 1 0
 0
    m
C :=  0 0 0 0 1 r :=  −0.3  ⋅
1 0 1 0 1  0  s
 
0 0 0 1 1  0 
We then invert the coefficient matrix, and multiply the inverted coefficient matrix and the r vector to
obtain the unknown velocities.

−1
Cinv := C v := Cinv⋅ r

0 −1 −2 1 1   0.6 
 
2 −1 −1
1 1
  −0.6  m
Cinv =  0 1 1 0 −1  v =  −0.3 
0 0 −1 0 1   0.3  s
 
0 0 1 0 0   −0.3 
These velocities represent the rate at which segment lengths S1 through S5 are changing with time,
and are not (generally) velocities relative to the datum. In order to determine the velocity of point A
relative to the datum, the distance of point A relative to the datum (called LA in the figure below) must
be written in terms of segment lengths.

DATUM

S5 S5

LA
LLINK LLINK
S6

S3 S3

S4

B 0.3 m/s
S1

S2 S2

L A = S 5 + L LINK + S 3 + S 2
The velocity of point A relative to the datum is the time derivative of LA.
dL A
vA =
dt
dS 5 dS dS
= +0+ 3 + 2
dt dt dt
= v5 + 0 + v3 + v2

Velocities v2, v3, and v5 are known, so vA can be determined. (Note: The vector index ORIGIN in
Mathcad was set to 1 for this problem.)

v A := v + 0 + v + v
5 3 2
m
v A = −1.2
s
Since the velocity at point B was 0.3 m/s downward, this result indicates that point A is moving at 1.2
m/s upward.

Annotated Mathcad Worksheet

Note: ORIGIN = 1 has been set using Math/Options for this problem.

Declare the coefficient matrix and right-hand-side vector

1 1 0 0 0  0 
 
0 0 1 1 0
  0  m
C :=  0 0 0 0 1 r :=  −0.3  ⋅
1 0 1 0 1  0  s
 
0 0 0 1 1  0 
Invert the coefficient matrix.

0 −1 −2 1 1 

2 −1 −1
−1
1 1

Cinv := C Cinv =  0 1 1 0 −1 
0 0 −1 0 1 

0 0 1 0 0 
Multiply the inverted coefficient matrix and the right-hand-side vector
to calculate the segment velocities.
 0.6 
 −0.6
 m
v := Cinv⋅ r v =  −0.3 
 0.3  s

 −0.3 
Use the segment velocities to calculate the velocity of point A relative to the datum.
v A := v + 0 + v + v
5 3 2
m
v A = −1.2
s
17 Kinetics of a Particle: Force and Acceleration
Ref: Hibbeler § 13.4, Bedford & Fowler: Dynamics § 3.1-3.4

In an earlier example (#8) we looked at “pushing a crate” and investigated the effect of changing the
height of the push and the magnitude of the push on the rigid body. Specifically, we tested to see if
the crate would tip or slip. In this example, we will determine the initial acceleration of the crate and
the velocity after a short time at that acceleration.

Example: Pushing a Crate

A crate weighs 35 kg, and is 0.5 m wide and 1.0 m in height. A force, P, is applied to the side of the
crate at height yP = 0.4 m from the floor. From the earlier example (#8) we know that this force is
sufficient to overcome friction, and when applied at this height will not tip the crate. The coefficient of
kinetic friction is 0.24.
Determine the initial acceleration and, assuming the acceleration remains constant, the expected
velocity of the crate after 3 seconds.
y

yP = 0.4 m

O x

NC

Solution
First, a free-body diagram is drawn.
 y

yP
O x

NC

We start the solution by assigning values given in the problem statement to variables:

M := 35⋅ kg µ k := 0.24 P := 120⋅ N y P := 0.4⋅ m

Then we calculate the weight of the crate.

W := −M ⋅ g

W = −343.2 N
Note: The acceleration due to gravity, g, is a predefined variable in Mathcad.
We can use the equation of motion for the y-components of force to determine the resultant normal
force, NC (but the result is not much of a surprise.)

W + NC 0

so...

NC := −W

NC = 343.2N acts in the +x direction

Knowing NC, the friction force can be determined.

F := µ k⋅ NC this equation does not account for direction

F := −F sign changed since F acts in -x direction

F = −82.4 N
Next, we use the equations of motions with the information on the free-body diagram to solve for the
acceleration, ax.
 P+F M ⋅ ax

so...
P+F
ax :=
M

m
ax = 1.075
2
s
Now the velocity after 3 seconds can be determined.

m
v 0 := 0⋅ ∆t := 3⋅ s a := ax
s

v := v 0 + a⋅ ∆t

m
v = 3.225
s

Annotated Mathcad Worksheet

Pushing a Crate - Initial Acceleration
Data from the problem statement...
M := 35⋅ kg µ k := 0.24 P := 120⋅ N y P := 0.4⋅ m

Calculate the weight of the crate.

W := −M ⋅ g

W = −343.2 N

EQ of MOTION: y components of force.

W + NC 0

so...

NC := −W

NC = 343.2N acts in the +x direction

Calculate the friction force, F.

F := µ k⋅ NC this equation does not account for direction

F := −F sign changed since F acts in -x direction

F = −82.4 N
EQ of MOTION: x components of force.
P+F M ⋅ ax

so...
P+F
ax :=
M

m
ax = 1.075
2
s

Calculate the velocity after three seconds.

m
v 0 := 0⋅ ∆t := 3⋅ s a := ax
s

v := v 0 + a⋅ ∆t

m
v = 3.225
s
18 Equations of Motion: Normal and Tangential Components
Ref: Hibbeler § 13.5, Bedford & Fowler: Dynamics § 3.4

In an earlier example (#14) we looked at the motion of a skateboarder along a curved path. Now, we
apply the equations of motion to that problem to investigate the significance of friction in the problem.

Example: A skateboarder in a quarter pipe.

A skateboarder with a mass of 55 kg has dropped into a 3 meter (radius) quarter pipe. When she’s
dropped a distance of 1 meter her speed is 3.2 m/s and is increasing by 7.8 m/s2. At this location the
surface is at an angle of 19.4° from vertical.
Draw a free body diagram of this system including a friction force. Neglect the size of the
skateboarder and her board. Solve the equations of motion for the normal force, NA, and the friction
force, F. Then, calculate the coefficient of kinetic friction required to generate the observed friction
force.

Solution
A free-body diagram for this system looks like the following:

Wn t

n
Wt
W
F
A
NA

First, information from the problem statement is entered into a Mathcad worksheet.

m m
v := 3.2⋅ at := 7.8⋅ M := 55⋅ kg
s 2
s

α := 19.4⋅ deg << angle of surface from vertical

ρ := 3⋅ m << circular path, constant ρ

The tangential acceleration at this location was given in the problem statement, as at = 7.8 m/s2. The
normal acceleration can be calculated from the stated velocity (3.2 m/s) and the radius of curvature
(3 m).

2
v
an :=
ρ

m
an = 3.4
2
s
The normal component of the equation of motion can be used to find NA, but first we need the normal
component of the skateboarder’s weight.

W := M ⋅ g W = 539 N
W n := −W ⋅ sin ( α ) W n = −179 N << minus sign accounts for direction

W t := W ⋅ cos ( α ) W t = 509 N

Then find the normal force, NA.

NA + W n M ⋅ an

so...

NA := M ⋅ an − W n

NA = 366.89N

Next, use the tangential component of the equation of motion to determine the friction force.

Wt + F M ⋅ at

so...

F := M ⋅ at − W t

F = −79.7 N << acts in -t direction

The friction force, F, and the normal force, NA, can be used together to calculate the apparent
coefficient of kinetic friction for this problem.

F
µ k := << need only the magnitude of F here
NA

µ k = 0.22
Annotated Mathcad Worksheet
Friction Force on a Skateboarder
Set problem parameters as stated in the problem.
m m
v := 3.2⋅ at := 7.8⋅ M := 55⋅ kg
s 2
s

α := 19.4⋅ deg << angle of surface from vertical

ρ := 3⋅ m << circular path, constant ρ

Solve for the normal acceleration.

2
v
an :=
ρ

m
an = 3.4
2
s
s
Find the normal and tangential components of the skateboarder's weight.
W := M ⋅ g W = 539 N
W n := −W ⋅ sin ( α ) W n = −179 N << minus sign accounts for direction

W t := W ⋅ cos ( α ) W t = 509 N

EQ of MOTION: normal component

NA + W n M ⋅ an

so...

NA := M ⋅ an − W n

NA = 366.89N

EQ of MOTION: tangential component

Wt + F M ⋅ at

so...

F := M ⋅ at − W t

F = −79.7 N << acts in -t direction

Calculate the coefficient of kinetic friction.

F
µ k := << need only the magnitude of F here
NA

µ k = 0.22
19 Principle of Work and Energy
Ref: Hibbeler § 14.3, Bedford & Fowler: Dynamics § 8.1-8.2

The principle of work and energy states that the work done by all of the external forces and couples
as a rigid body moves between positions 1 and 2 is equal to the change in the body’s potential
energy. Hibbeler writes the resulting equation as

T1 + ∑U 1− 2 = T2 Hibbeler (14-7)

The same equation is written as

U 12 = T2 − T1 Bedford and Fowler: Dynamics (8.4)

by Bedford and Fowler.

The difference between these two equations is simply nomenclature. Both ∑U 1−2 and U12
represent the sum of work done by all external forces and couples on the body. We can use the
principle of work and energy to solve problems involving force, displacement, and velocity.

Example: Skid-to-Stop Braking Distance

The driver of a 1600 kg passenger car hits the brakes and skids to a stop to try to avoid hitting a deer.
When the deer suddenly appeared in the headlights [at an estimated distance of 300 ft (91 m)] the car
was moving at 75 mph (120 km/hr).
After the incident long skid marks were visible on the pavement, and the deer was seen running over
a nearby hill. Did the driver get the car stopped in time, or did the deer manage to get out of the way?
Assumptions:
ƒ Assume a 1.5 second reaction time – that is, it took 1.5 seconds from the time the driver saw
the deer until he or she pressed the brake pedal.
ƒ Assume a dry, flat road with a coefficient of friction, µk = 0.80.

Solution
A free body diagram of this system shows the various forces acting on the car.

FA

NA
Because the road was assumed to be flat, the normal force, NA, is equal to the vehicle’s weight.

M := 1600⋅ kg
W := M ⋅ g
NA := W

NA = 15691N

The friction force during the skid (wheels locked) is calculated using the normal force and the
coefficient of kinetic friction, µk.

µ k := 0.80

FA := µ k⋅ NA

FA = 12553N

The length of the skid can be determined using the principle of work and energy.

T1 + ∑U 1− 2 = T2
1
2
m v1 2 + ∑U 1− 2 = 12 m v 2 2

The final velocity, v2, is zero (skid-to-stop), and the only force acting on the car during the
deceleration is the friction force, FA, acting through the skid distance, s.
1
2
m v1 2 + (− FA s ) = 0

This equation can be solved for the skid distance.

mi
v 1 := 75⋅
hr
1 2
⋅ M⋅ v1
2
s :=
FA

s = 72m
That looks good; it is possible to stop in less than 91 meters, the initial distance between the car and
the deer. But, we also need to account for the distance the car traveled in the 1.5 seconds between
the time the driver saw the deer and the moment the brakes were applied.

treaction := 1.5⋅ sec

s reaction := v 1⋅ treaction

s reaction = 50m

The total distance traveled between the moment the deer was spotted and the vehicle coming to a
complete stop is 50 + 72 = 122m.
 s total := s + s reaction

s total = 122m

The driver did not get stopped within 91 m. The deer had to get out of the way in order to escape
injury.

Annotated Mathcad Worksheet

Skid-to-Stop Calculations
Calculate the magnitude of the normal force.
M := 1600⋅ kg
W := M ⋅ g
NA := W

NA = 15691N

Calculate the friction force.

µ k := 0.80

FA := µ k⋅ NA

FA = 12553N

Calculate the skid distance.

mi
v 1 := 75⋅
hr
1 2
⋅ M⋅ v 1
2
s :=
FA

s = 72m

Calculate the distance traveled during the driver's reaction time.

treaction := 1.5⋅ sec

s reaction := v 1⋅ treaction

s reaction = 50m

Calculate the total distance traveled after spotting the deer.

s total := s + s reaction

s total = 122m
20 Rotation About a Fixed Axis
Ref: Hibbeler § 16.3, Bedford & Fowler: Dynamics § 9.1

Because drive motors are routinely used, solving problems dealing with rotation about fixed axes is
commonplace. The example used here looks at a very old-fashioned drive motor – a water wheel.

Example: Water Wheel

Long ago, a water wheel was used to drive a mill. The point labeled “R” on the outermost edge of the
water wheel was 1.25 m from the center of the wheel. A drive wheel, labeled “A”, was directly
attached to the water wheel. A belt connected the drive wheel to the shaft on wheel “B”. The
dimensions of the various wheels and shafts are listed below.
Shortly after the water gate was opened to allow water to flow over the wheel, then water wheel had
an angular acceleration of 0.1 rad/s2. Assume the belts did not slip.
Determine:
a) The magnitudes of the velocities and accelerations at points R and P after the water wheel
has made two complete revolutions.
b) The velocity and acceleration of point Q on the belt leaving wheel B.

P
A B
R

Dimensions Diameter
Wheel A 0.7 m
Wheel B 1m
Shaft B 0.19 m

Solution, part a (point R)

Movement through a complete circle is equivalent to moving a point through 2π radians, so two
complete revolutions of point R would move that point through 4π radians, or 4 x 3.1416 = 12.57
radians. So,
θ R = 12.57 rad

The water wheel is accelerating at constant rate, α A = 0.1 rad / s , so the angular velocity of point R is
 ω R 2 = ω0 2 + 2α A (θ R − θ 0 )
( )
= 0 + 2 0.1 rad / s 2 (12.57 rad − 0)
2 2
= 2.51 rad / s
ω R = 1.59 rad / s

In Mathcad, this calculation can be performed as follows:

rad rad
α A := 0.1⋅ ω0 := 0⋅ θ 0 := 0⋅ rad
2 s
s
θ R := 4⋅ π⋅ rad

( )
2
ωR := ω0 + 2⋅ α A ⋅ θ R − θ 0

rad
ωR = 1.59
s
Note: Units were used on the zero terms. This is required or Mathcad will detect an error when
attempting to subtract the θ values. In order to perform the subtraction, the variables must have the
same units.
The velocity at point R can now be determined.

rR := 1.25⋅ m
m
v R := ωR⋅ rR v R = 1.98
s
Point R has tangential and normal components of acceleration. They are calculated as follows.
m
aR_t := α A ⋅ rR aR_t = 0.125
2
s
2 m
aR_n := ωR ⋅ rR aR_n = 3.142
2
s
Then the magnitude of the acceleration at point R can be determined.

2 2
aR := aR_t + aR_n

m
aR = 3.144
2
s

Solution, part a (point P)

The connector between drive wheel A and wheel B is the belt between the two wheels. If the belt
does not slip, then
s = θ A rA = θ B rB _ shaft

Notice that the radius of the shaft on wheel B is used in this calculation, because the belt from wheel
A goes around the shaft on wheel B, not wheel B itself. However, the angular displacement of the
shaft on wheel B is the same as the angular displacement of wheel B – they are directly connected.
 θ A := θ R θ A = 12.57rad

rA := 0.35⋅ m
0.19
rB_shaft := ⋅m
2
θ A ⋅ rA
θ B := θ B = 46.3rad
rB shaft

Since the belt connecting wheel A and shaft B has the same speed and tangential component of
acceleration, we can write:
v = ω A rA = ω B rB _ shaft
a t = α A rA = α B rB _ shaft

These relationships can be used to find the angular velocity and tangential component of acceleration
of shaft B, which are also the angular velocity and tangential component of acceleration of point P on
wheel B.

ωA := ωR
ωA ⋅ rA rad
ωB := ωB = 5.84
rB_shaft s

α A ⋅ rA rad
α B := α B = 0.37
rB_shaft 2
s
Now it is possible to calculate the magnitudes of the velocity and acceleration at point P.

rP := 0.5⋅ m
m
v P := ωB⋅ rP v P = 2.92
s
m
aP_t := α B⋅ rP aP_t = 0.184
2
s
2 m
aP_n := ωB ⋅ rP aP_n = 17.1
2
s
2 2
aP := aP_t + aP_n

m
aP = 17.1
2
s

Solution, part b (point Q)

Point Q has the same velocity and tangential component of acceleration as point P.
 v Q = 2.92 m / s
a Q = 0.184 m / s 2

Annotated Mathcad Worksheet

Water Wheel

Calculate the angular velocity of the water wheel (and point R).
rad rad
α A := 0.1⋅ ω0 := 0⋅ θ 0 := 0⋅ rad
2 s
s
θ R := 4⋅ π⋅ rad

( )
2
ωR := ω0 + 2⋅ α A ⋅ θ R − θ 0

rad
ωR = 1.59
s

Find the velocity at point R.

rR := 1.25⋅ m
m
v R := ωR⋅ rR v R = 1.98
s

Find the tangential and angular components of acceleration at point R.

m
aR_t := α A ⋅ rR aR_t = 0.125
2
s
2 m
aR_n := ωR ⋅ rR aR_n = 3.142
2
s

Determine the magnitude of the acceleration at point R.

2 2
aR := aR_t + aR_n

m
aR = 3.144
2
s

Determine the angular displacement of wheel B.

θ A := θ R θ A = 12.57rad

rA := 0.35⋅ m
0.19
rB_shaft := ⋅m
2
θ A ⋅ rA
θ B := θ B = 46.3rad
rB_shaft
Determine the angular velocity and tangential component of
acceleration of shaft B (and point P).
ωA := ωR

ωA ⋅ rA rad
ωB := ωB = 5.84
rB_shaft s

α A ⋅ rA rad
α B := α B = 0.37
rB_shaft 2
s

Find the velocity and acceleration at point P.

rP := 0.5⋅ m
m
v P := ωB⋅ rP v P = 2.92
s
m
aP_t := α B⋅ rP aP_t = 0.184
2
s
2 m
aP_n := ωB ⋅ rP aP_n = 17.1
2
s
2 2
aP := aP_t + aP_n

m
aP = 17.1
2
s

Find the velocity and acceleration of point Q.

m
v Q := v P v Q = 2.92
s
m
aQ := aP_t aQ = 0.184
2
s