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Lesson 4-Topic 1 - Equilibrium of A Particle

The document discusses the conditions for static equilibrium of particles under the influence of forces. It can be summarized in 3 sentences: Static equilibrium requires the vector sum of all forces acting on a particle to equal zero. This condition is analyzed by drawing free-body diagrams that show all relevant forces and resolving forces into components. Solving the equations of equilibrium derived from the vector force summation allows for determining unknown forces in one-, two-, and three-dimensional systems of coplanar or non-coplanar forces acting on particles.

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Nicholas Bonn Sing
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216 views37 pages

Lesson 4-Topic 1 - Equilibrium of A Particle

The document discusses the conditions for static equilibrium of particles under the influence of forces. It can be summarized in 3 sentences: Static equilibrium requires the vector sum of all forces acting on a particle to equal zero. This condition is analyzed by drawing free-body diagrams that show all relevant forces and resolving forces into components. Solving the equations of equilibrium derived from the vector force summation allows for determining unknown forces in one-, two-, and three-dimensional systems of coplanar or non-coplanar forces acting on particles.

Uploaded by

Nicholas Bonn Sing
Copyright
© © 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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Equilibrium of a Particle

Condition for the Equilibrium of a Particle

A particle is said to be in equilibrium if it remains at rest if originally at


rest, or has a constant velocity if originally in motion. Most often,
however, the term “equilibrium” or, more specifically, “static
equilibrium” is used to describe an object at rest. To maintain
equilibrium, it is necessary to satisfy Newton’s first law of motion, which
requires the resultant force acting on a particle to be equal to zero. This
condition may be stated mathematically as

F = 0

where F is the vector sum of all the forces acting on the particle.
The Free-Body Diagram

To apply the equation of equilibrium, we must account for all the


known and unknown forces F which act on the particle. The best way
to do this is to think of the particle as isolated and “free” from its
surroundings. A drawing that shows the particle with all the forces
that act on it is called a free-body diagram (FBD).

Two types of connections often encountered in particle equilibrium


problems
1. Spring
2. Cables and pulleys
Springs.
If a linearly elastic spring (or cord) of undeformed length lo is
used to support a particle, the length of the spring will change
in direct proportion to the force F acting on it, Fig. 3–1. A
characteristic that defines the “elasticity” of a spring is the
spring constant or stiffness k. The magnitude of force exerted
on a linearly elastic spring which has a stiffness k and is
deformed (elongated or compressed) a distance s = l – lo ,
measured from its unloaded position, is
If s is positive, causing an elongation, then F
must pull on the spring; whereas if s is negative,
causing a shortening, then F must push on it. For
example, if the spring in Fig. 3–1 has an
unstretched length of 0.8 m and a stiffness k=
500N/m, and it is stretched to a length of 1 m, so
that s = l – lo = 1m – 0.8m = 0.2m, then a force
F=ks =500kN/m is needed.
Cables and Pulleys.

Unless otherwise stated, all cables (or cords) will be


assumed to have negligible weight and they cannot
stretch. Also, a cable can support only a tension or
“pulling” force, and this force always acts in the
direction of the cable. It will be shown that the
tension force developed in a continuous cable which
passes over a frictionless pulley must have a constant
magnitude to keep the cable in equilibrium. Hence,
for any angle , shown in Fig. 3–2, the cable is
subjected to a constant tension T throughout its
length.
Procedure for Drawing a Free-Body Diagram

Since we must account for all the forces acting on the particle when
applying the equations of equilibrium, the importance of first drawing
a free-body diagram cannot be over emphasized. To construct a free
body diagram, the following three steps are necessary.

Draw Outlined Shape.


Imagine the particle to be isolated or cut “free” from its surroundings
by drawing its outlined shape.
Show All Forces.
Indicate on this sketch all the forces that act on the particle. These
forces can be active forces, which tend to set the particle in motion, or
they can be reactive forces which are the result of the constraints or
supports that tend to prevent motion. To account for all these forces, it
may be helpful to trace around the particle’s boundary, carefully
noting each force acting on it.

Identify Each Force.


The forces that are known should be labeled with their proper
magnitudes and directions. Letters are used to represent the
magnitudes and directions of forces that are unknown.
The sphere has a mass of 6 kg and is supported as shown. Draw a free-
body diagram of the sphere, the cord CE, and the knot at C.
Sphere.
By inspection, there are only two forces acting on the
sphere, namely, its weight, 6 kg (9.81 m/𝑠 2 ) = 58.9 N,
and the force of cord CE. The free-body diagram is
shown.

Cord CE. When the cord CE is isolated from its surroundings, its
free-body diagram shows only two forces acting on it, namely, the
force of the sphere and the force of the knot,
Knot.
The knot at C is subjected to three forces. They are caused by the cords CBA and
CE and the spring CD. As required, the free-body diagram shows all these forces
labeled with their magnitudes and directions. It is important to recognize that the
weight of the sphere does not directly act on the knot. Instead, the cord CE
subjects the knot to this force.
Coplanar Force Systems
If a particle is subjected to a system of coplanar forces
that lie in the x–y plane, then each force can be resolved
into its i and j components. For equilibrium, these forces
must sum to produce a zero force resultant, i.e.,

For this vector equation to be satisfied, the force’s x and y components


must both be equal to zero. Hence,
These two equations can be solved for at most two unknowns,
generally represented as angles and magnitudes of forces shown
on the particle’s free-body diagram.

When applying each of the two equations of equilibrium, we must


account for the sense of direction of any component by using an
algebraic sign which corresponds to the arrowhead direction of
the component along the x or y axis. It is important to note that if
a force has an unknown magnitude, then the arrowhead sense of
the force on the free-body diagram can be assumed. Then if the
solution yields a negative scalar, this indicates that the sense of
the force is opposite to that which was assumed.
For example, consider the free-body diagram of the particle subjected to the two
forces shown. Here it is assumed that the unknown force F acts to the right to
maintain equilibrium. Applying the equation of equilibrium along the x axis, we have

Both terms are “positive” since both forces act in the positive x direction. When this
equation is solved, F= -10N. Here the negative sign indicates that F must act to the left
to hold the particle in equilibrium. Notice that if the +x axis were directed to the left,
both terms in the above equation would be negative, but again, after solving, F = -10 N,
indicating that F would be directed to the left.
Procedure for Analysis

Coplanar force equilibrium problems for a particle can be solved


using the following procedure.

Free-Body Diagram.
• Establish the x, y axes in any suitable orientation.
• Label all the known and unknown force magnitudes and directions on the
diagram.
• The sense of a force having an unknown magnitude can be assumed.
Equations of Equilibrium.
• Apply the equations of equilibrium, and
• Components are positive if they are directed along a positive axis, and negative if
they are directed along a negative axis.
• If more than two unknowns exist and the problem involves a spring, apply F=ks
to relate the spring force to the deformation s of the spring.
• Since the magnitude of a force is always a positive quantity, then if the solution
for a force yields a negative result, this indicates its sense is the reverse of that
shown on the free-body diagram.
Determine the tension in cables BA and BC necessary to support the
60-kg cylinder
The 200-kg crate is suspended using the ropes AB and AC. Each rope
can withstand a maximum force of 10kN before it breaks. If always
remains horizontal, determine the smallest angle to which the crate can
be suspended before one of the ropes breaks.
Determine the required length of cord AC so that the 8-kg lamp can be
suspended in the position shown. The undeformed length of spring AB
lAB = 0.4 m, is and the spring has a stiffness of kAB = 300 N/m.
If the force in spring AB is known, the stretch of the
spring can be found using F = ks. From the problem
geometry, it is then possible to calculate the required
length of AC.
Three-Dimensional Force Systems

The necessary and sufficient condition for particle equilibrium is F = 0.

In the case of a three-dimensional force system, we can


resolve the forces into their respective i, j, k
components, so that
σ 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + σ 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + σ 𝐹𝑧 𝑘 = 0 .To satisfy this equation
we require
Procedure for Analysis

Three-dimensional force equilibrium problems for a particle can be solved using


the following procedure.

Free-Body Diagram.
• Establish the x, y, z axes in any suitable orientation.
• Label all the known and unknown force magnitudes and directions
on the diagram.
• The sense of a force having an unknown magnitude can be assumed.
Equations of Equilibrium.

• Use the scalar equations of equilibrium, σ 𝐹𝑥 = 0, σ 𝐹𝑦 = 0, σ 𝐹𝑧 = 0, in


cases where it is easy to resolve each force into its x, y, z components.
• If the three-dimensional geometry appears difficult, then first express
each force on the free-body diagram as a Cartesian vector, substitute
these vectors into σ 𝐹 = 0 and then set the i, j, k components equal to
zero.
• If the solution for a force yields a negative result, this indicates that
its sense is the reverse of that shown on the free-body diagram.
A 90-lb load is suspended from the hook shown. If the load is supported by two
cables and a spring having a stiffness k = 500 lb/ft, determine the force in the cables
and the stretch of the spring for equilibrium. Cable AD lies in the x–y plane and cable
AC lies in the x–z plane.
The 10-kg lamp is suspended from the three equal-length cords. Determine its
smallest vertical distance s from the ceiling if the force developed in any cord is not
allowed to exceed 50 N.
Applying the equilibrium equation along the axis, with T = 50N , we
have
Determine the force in each cable used to support the 40-lb crate shown.
First we will express each force in Cartesian vector form.
Equilibrium requires
Determine the tension in each cord used to support the 100-kg crate
shown
Each force on the free-body diagram is first expressed in Cartesian vector form.

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