Module 1: Introduction to Statics and its Prerequisite Knowledge

Topics:
1. Introduction to Statics
2. Review of Prerequisite Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes:

1. Discuss the importance of statics of rigid bodies as the basic engineering course.
2. Review the concept of physics and mathematics as a prerequisite knowledge.
Discussion:

Statics is the branch of mechanics that is concerned with the analysis of loads (force and torque, or "moment")
on physical systems in static equilibrium, that is, in a state where the relative positions of subsystems do not vary
over time, or where components and structures are at a constant velocity. When in static equilibrium, the system
is either at rest, or its center of mass moves at constant velocity

Statics is the study of bodies that are at rest or move with constant velocity. We can consider statics as a
special case of dynamics, in which the acceleration is zero (dealing with the equilibrium of a rigid-body at
rest).

Mechanics - the physical science which describes or predicts the conditions of rest or motion of bodies under the
action of forces.

A. Rigid bodies

1. statics

2. dynamics

B. Deformable bodies

C. Fluid Mechanics

1. compressible - gas

2. incompressible - liquids

In Statics we will assume the bodies to be perfectly rigid, no deformation.

This is never true in the real world, everything deforms a little when a load is applied. These deformations are
small and will not significantly affect the conditions of equilibrium or motion, so we will neglect the deformations.

Rigid body - a body is considered rigid when the relative movement between its parts is negligible

Before we begin our study, it is important to understand the meaning of certain fundamental concepts and
principles

Module 1: Introduction to Statics and its Prerequisite Knowledge/Jslumbab

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 Particle: has a mass, but it size can be neglected

Length: is used to locate the position of a point in space and thereby describe the size of a physical
system.

Time: quantity plays an important role in the study of dynamics.

Mass: is a measure of a quantity of matter.

Weight: the force with which a body is attracted toward the center of the Earth

Force: is considered as a "push" or "pull" exerted by one body on another. This interaction can occur
when there is direct contact between the bodies, such as a person pushing on a wall. A force is completely
characterized by its magnitude, direction, and point of application.

Space: the geometric region occupied by bodies whose positions are described by linear and angular
measurements relative to a coordinate system.

Newton developed the fundamentals of mechanics. The concepts above, space, time, and mass
are absolute, independent of each other in Newtonian Mechanics.

Newton's 3 Fundamental Laws

1st Law - A particle remains at rest or continues to move in a straight line

with a constant speed if there is no unbalanced force acting on it
(resultant force = 0).

F1
F2
∑𝑁
𝑖=1 𝐹𝑖 = 0
Equilibrium

F3
2nd Law -

the acceleration of a particle is proportional to the resultant force

acting on it and is in the direction of this force.

a
F
accelerated motion 𝐹 = 𝑚. 𝑎

3rd Law - the forces of action and reaction between interacting bodies are
equal in magnitude, opposite in direction, and act along the same
line of action (Collinear).

force of A on B force of B on A
AB
action = reaction

Module 1: Introduction to Statics and its Prerequisite Knowledge/Jslumbab

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Newton's Law of Gravitation
Mm
F G r
r2 m
F = mutual force of attraction between 2 particles
F
G = universal constant known as the constant of gravitation
M, m = masses of the 2 particles M
r = distance between the 2 particles

This says that 2 particles of mass M and m are mutually attracted with equal and opposite forces.

Units of Measurements

 Four fundamental quantities in mechanics

Mass
Length
Time
Force

 Two different systems of units we dealing with during the course

 U.S. Customary or British System of Units (FPS)
Length in feet (ft)
Time in Seconds (s)
Force in Pounds (lb)

 International System of Units or Metric Units (SI)

Length in metre (m)
Time in Seconds (s)
Force in Newton (N)

Summary of the four fundamental quantities in the two systems;

SI Units US Units
Quantity
Unit Symbol Unit Symbol

Mass kilogram kg slug -

Length meter m foot ft

Time second s second sec

Force Newton N pound lb

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  Metric
System (SI)

 SI System offers major advantages relative to the FPS system

Widely used throughout the world
Use one basic unit for length  meter; while FPS uses many basic units  inch,
foot, yard, mile
 SI based on multiples of 10, which makes it easier to use & learn whereas FPS is complicated,
for example
SI system 1 meter = 100 centimeters, 1 kilometer = 1000 meters, etc
FPS system 1 foot = 12 inches, 1 yard = 3 feet, 1 mile = 5280 feet, etc
 Metric System (SI)

 Newton’s second law F = m.a

Thus the force (N) = mass (kg)  acceleration (m/s2)
 Therefore 1 Newton is the force required to give a mass of 1 kg an acceleration of 1 m/s 2

The table below shows the prefixes, their symbols, and their equivalent:

Prefix Symbol Equivalent

Giga G 1 x109
Mega M 1 x106
Kilo K 1 x103
Milli m 1 x10-3
μ
Micro 1 x10-6
Nano n 1 x10-9

Trigonometry:

 Given a Right Triangle:

𝒐𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
𝐬in 𝜃 = C
𝒉𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒

𝒂𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 hypotenuse
𝐜os 𝜃 = opposite
𝒉𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝜃
B A
𝒐𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 adjacent
𝐭an 𝜃 =
𝒂𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡

𝒂𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝒄𝑜𝑡 𝜃 =
𝒐𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒

𝒉𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝒔𝑒𝑐 𝜃 =
𝒂𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡

𝒉𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝒄𝑠𝑐 𝜃 =
𝒂𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡

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  Given an Oblique Triangle:

𝜃 a
b
𝛽
𝛼
c
By Sine Law:
The Law of Sines is the relationship between the sides and angles of non-right (oblique)
triangles. Simply, it states that the ratio of the length of a side of a triangle.
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
= =
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝛽 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝜃

By Cosine Law:

The Law of Cosines is used to find the remaining parts of an oblique (non-right) triangle when
either the lengths of two sides and the measure of the included.

a = √𝑏2 + 𝑐 2 − 2𝑏𝑐(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼)

b = √𝑎2 + 𝑐 2 − 2𝑎𝑐(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽)

c = √𝑎2 + 𝑏2 − 2𝑎𝑏(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)

The sum of the interior angle of a triangle is equal to 180 degrees.

𝛼 + 𝛽 + 𝜃 = 1800

Complementary angles are two angles that have a sum of 90°.

Supplementary angles are two angles that have a sum of 180°.

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 𝛼 + 𝛽 + 𝜃 = 1800

General Procedure for Analysis

The most effective way of learning the principles of engineering mechanics is to solve problems. To be successful
at this, it is important to always present the work in a logical and orderly manner, as suggested by the following
sequence of steps:

 Read the problem carefully and try to correlate the actual physical situation with the theory
studied.
 Tabulate the problem data and draw any necessary diagram
 Apply the relevant principles, generally in mathematical form. When writing any equations, be
sure they are dimensionally homogeneous.
 Solve the necessary equations, and report the answer with no more than three significant
figures.
 Study the answer with technical judgment and common sense to determine whether or not it
seems reasonable.

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