1|FORCE AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS AND EFFECTS

MODULE 2 – FORCE AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS AND EFFECTS

Description:

This module looks into the force and their characteristics and effects. It provides discussion on
different types of force systems; resolution of forces into its components; moment of a force; and the
vector analysis of forces.

Objectives:

After completing the module, the students are expected to:

1. Have a better understanding about force and its effects on an object.

2. Identify the different force systems.

3. Resolve the force into its components.

Duration:

Contents:

Force and their Characteristics and effects

1. Force and their Characteristics

4. Components of a Force or Rectangular Components of a Force

Discussion:

Force and their characteristics

A force represents the action of one body on another and is generally characterized by its point of
application, its magnitude, and its direction.

 Force acting on a given particle have the same point of application.

 Magnitude of a force is characterized by a certain number of units, i.e. 1000 N

 The direction of the force is defined by the line of action and the sense of the force. The line of
action is the infinite straight line along which the force acts, it is characterized by the angle it
forms with fixed axis. The sense of the force is represented by the arrowhead

Line of action

Point of
application
F
Direction

STATICS OF RIGID
Compiled JUANITA CARMELITA R.
By: ZOLETA
2|FORCE AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS AND EFFECTS

External and Internal Effects of Forces

A force acting on an object may cause the object:

- to start moving

- to stop moving

- to accelerate

- to decelerate

- to change its shape and size.

Force Systems:

1. Concurrent Force System

y
z
y
Q
O
F
P x
x F
O P

T
T
Q

Coplanar - Concurrent Force System Spatial - Concurrent Force System

* Coplanar - forces that lie on one plane (two dimensional)

* Spatial - forces in space (three dimensional)

2. Parallel Force System

T P Q

R1 R2

Fig.: Parallel force system

STATICS OF RIGID
Compiled JUANITA CARMELITA R.
By: ZOLETA
3|FORCE AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS AND EFFECTS

3. Non-Concurrent, Non-Parallel Force system

P T P
Q Q

F R2H

R1 R2
T

Fig.: Non-Concurrent, Non-Parallel force system

Components of a Force or Rectangular Components of a Force

Sometimes it is necessary to resolve a force into its components to study its pulling or
pushing effect in specific directions (x, y, z). With the use of Rectangular Coordinate Axes (x and y -
axes), the force can be resolve into two components. To determine the magnitude of the component a
rectangle is constructed first by drawing lines from tip of the force, one line parallel to x-axis and the
other line parallel to y-axis, intersecting the x and y axes, thus forming a rectangle (see figure below). The
components (Fx and Fy) are then establish drawing a line form the tail of the force to the intersection
points in x and y axes. The rectangle can be reduced into a right triangle and the components can be solve
using the trigonometric functions (sin, cos, tan).

Fx

F Fy
Fy

θ x
Fx

Rectangular components of force F:

F2 F FY
2
Y
2 tan  
X F FX

STATICS OF RIGID
Compiled JUANITA CARMELITA R.
By: ZOLETA
4|FORCE AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS AND EFFECTS

Sample Problems:

1. A 1000N force is exerted on a bolt as shown. Determine the horizontal and vertical components of
the force.

Y
1000 N

35˚ X

Required:

Vertical and horizontal components of the force.

Solution:

Y
1000 N
Fy
35 X
Fx

2. A man pulls a rope with a force of 300N on a cable attached to a building at point A. Determine the
horizontal and vertical components of the force exerted at point A.

Rope
10m

Ma
25

Solution:

a. Slope of the rope:

10 ÷ 5 = 2
2 θ

θ 5
25 ÷ 5 = 5
5 2
cos  sin  
29 29

STATICS OF RIGID
Compiled JUANITA CARMELITA R.
By: ZOLETA
5|FORCE AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS AND EFFECTS

b. At point A:
Fx
A

2
5 29
F = 300N
Fy

FX  F cos FY  F sin 
 5   2 
F  300N F  300N
   
X
 29  Y
 29 
FX  278.54N FY 
112.42N

References:

1. Vector Mechanics for Engineers 10th Edition, Beer, F.P., Johnston, E.R.Jr,
Mazurek, D.F., Cornwell, P.J.2013

2. Engineering Mechanics Statics 13th Edition, Hibbeler, R.C.,2013

3. Engineering Mechanics Statics 14th Edition, Hibbeler, R.C.,2016

4. Engineering Mechanics Statics 3rd Edition, Pytel, A., Kiusalaas, J., 2010

STATICS OF RIGID
Compiled JUANITA CARMELITA R.
By: ZOLETA