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Em 18 Equilibrium of A Particle

1. A particle is in equilibrium if the vector sum of the external forces acting on it is zero. A particle can be in static equilibrium (at rest) or dynamic equilibrium (moving with constant velocity). 2. If two forces act on a particle in equilibrium, the forces must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. If three forces act, they must form a closed triangle. Problems with three or more forces can be solved using trigonometric methods like resolving forces into perpendicular components. 3. Worked examples show how to set up simultaneous equations by resolving forces into horizontal and vertical components and solving to find the force magnitude and angle between forces. Alternative methods like using trig identities are also demonstrated.

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237 views2 pages

Em 18 Equilibrium of A Particle

1. A particle is in equilibrium if the vector sum of the external forces acting on it is zero. A particle can be in static equilibrium (at rest) or dynamic equilibrium (moving with constant velocity). 2. If two forces act on a particle in equilibrium, the forces must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. If three forces act, they must form a closed triangle. Problems with three or more forces can be solved using trigonometric methods like resolving forces into perpendicular components. 3. Worked examples show how to set up simultaneous equations by resolving forces into horizontal and vertical components and solving to find the force magnitude and angle between forces. Alternative methods like using trig identities are also demonstrated.

Uploaded by

Fattihi Ekhmal
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Mechanics 1.8.

Equilibrium of a particle
A particle is in equilibrium if the vector sum of the external forces acting on it is zero. Hence a
particle is in equilibrium if:
1. It is at rest and remains at rest Static Equilibrium
2. It moves with constant velocity Dynamic Equilibrium
If there are only two forces acting on a particle that is in equilibrium, then the two forces must be
equal (in magnitude) and opposite in direction to each other. If three forces act on a particle that
is in equilibrium, then when the three forces are placed end to end they must form a triangle.
Problems involving 3 or more forces can be solved in a variety of ways, including the sine and cosine
rules used in leaflet 1.5 (Force as a vector) and by resolving forces in two perpendicular directions
used in leaflet 1.7 (Resolving forces, i, j notation). This second method is perhaps most versatile
and hence is more commonly used.
Worked Example 1.

The three forces in the diagram are in B


equilibrium. What are the values of B and ?
20

Solution
Resolving horizontally: B cos 20 = 0 (1)
Resolving vertically: B sin 15 = 0 (2) 15

It is often the case that simultaneous equations like (1) and (2) occur in such problems. These can
sin
be solved using a variety of methods. In some cases trigonometric identities i.e. tan = , need
cos
to be used.
20 15 20 15 sin 15
From (1): B = , From (2): B = , = , =
cos sin cos sin cos 20
15 15 20
Hence, tan =
= 37 and B = = = 25 N (2 s.f.)
20 sin cos
Worked Example 2.

The four forces in the diagram are in equilibrium. D 13


What are the values of D and ?
o
22
60 o 70
o

4
16

1 www.mathcentre.ac.uk c mathcentre August 15, 2006



Written by T. Graham, M.C. Harrison, S. Lee, C.L.Robinson
Solution
Resolving horizontally: 13 cos 22 + 4 cos 70 D cos 16 cos 60 = 0
. D cos = 5.421 N (1)

Resolving vertically: 13 sin 22 4 sin 70 + D sin 16 sin 60 = 0


. D sin = 12.745 N (2)

An alternative method of solution to equations (1) and (2) to that used in Worked Example 1 makes
use of the identity: sin2 + cos2 = 1, for any . Squaring both sides of (1) and (2) gives
D 2 cos2 = 5.4212 (3) and D 2 sin2 = 12.7452 (4)
Adding (3) and (4):
D 2 (cos2 + sin2 ) = 5.4212 + 12.7452, D 2 = 191.8, D = 13.8 N = 14 N (2 s.f.)
5.421
Then from (1): cos = = 67
D
Exercises

1. The three forces in diagram 1 are in equilibrium. What are the values of F and ?

2. Two light inextensible strings suspend a particle of weight 78N. The angle between each string
and the vertical is 42 , as shown in diagram 2. What is the tension in each string?

3. The four forces in diagram 3 are in equilibrium. What are the values of F and ?

4. The five forces in diagram 4 are in equilibrium. What are the values of F and ?

88 F T T 190
90
o
42 42o o o
o 30 44
60

100 78 F 120
diagram 1 diagram 2 diagram 3

Answers (All 2 s.f.) 110 o


130
50
o o
1. F = 50 N, = 28 50
10o
10
150
2. Tension in each string = 52 N

3. F = 82 N, = 44 90
4. F = 200 N, = 26
F
diagram 4

2 www.mathcentre.ac.uk c mathcentre August 15, 2006



Written by T. Graham, M.C. Harrison, S. Lee, C.L.Robinson

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