MODULE 1

MECHANICS
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Solve the resultant of forces in equilibrium

2. Determine the center of gravity of regular and irregularly shaped bodies
3. Find the resultant of couples or parallel forces
4. Apply the principles of forces in equilibrium in basic designs

INTRODUCTION

When all the forces that act upon an object are balanced, then the object is said to be in a state
of equilibrium. The forces are considered to be balanced if the rightward forces are balanced
by the leftward forces and the upward forces are balanced by the downward forces. This
however does not necessarily mean that all the forces are equal to each other.

CONTENT

EQUILIBRIUM – means the absence of acceleration (in a balanced state)

NOTE:
 For the body to be in EQUILIBRIUM, it must have no tendency toward translation or
rotation

MOMENT or TORQUE – the product of the force and perpendicular distance of its line of action
to a given axis of rotation
M = F.d F1 NOTE:

Consider the figure; F2 ( - ) (Clockwse)

(+ ) ( Co – Clockwise)
b

o a

For forces
MF1 = F1 a (+) ( +, Positive) = Up or Right
MF2 = F2 b (-)
( -, Negative) = Down or left

O = center of moment (forces tend to

rotate)

A = moment arm
Moment Arm – The perpendicular distance from the center of moment to the line of action.
Center of moment - The axis of rotation perpendicular to the plane of the forces and the point
at which this axis intersects the plane,.
CONDITIONS OF EQUILIBRIUM
1. The vector sum of the forces is zero
∑F = 0 (F1 + F2 + F3 + F4 = 0)
2. The algebraic sum of the moments or torques about any axis normal to the plane must be
zero
∑M = 0 (MF1 + MF2 + MF3 + MF4 = 0)
3. The algebraic sum of the vertical and horizontal components of the forces must be zero
∑Fx = 0 ∑Fy = 0
4. The algebraic sum of the moments or torques of the vertical and horizontal components of
the force about any axis normal to the plane must be zero
∑Mx = 0 ∑My = 0
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
1. A uniform beam weighing 50N and 12m long leans against a smooth wall with its lower end
6m away from the wall. What are the reactions of the ground and of the wall @ the points
of contact?
Given:

F3

12m

50 N
F2
6m A

F1
Required:
F1, F2 and F3
Solution:
∑F x = 0
∑F x = F3 – F2 = 0
F2 = F3 ( equation 1 )
∑F y = 0
0 = F 1 – 50 N
F 1 = 50 N
 ∑M A = 0
∑M A = -F3•x +50 N (3m)
But; x = √ 144−36 = 10.39 m

0 = -(10.39m)F 3 +150N-m 10.39m F3= 150 N-m

F3 = 14. 44 N
F 2 = F3 = 14. 44 N

2. Calculate the values of T and W required to produce equilibrium as shown below?

Given:
T

600 300

W
60Kg

Required:
T and W
Solution:

∑Fy = 0
∑Fy = 0= Ty + 60 Sin 30o – W
W = T Sin 60 o + 30 ( equation 1 )

∑Fx = 0
∑Fx = 0 = 60 Cos 30o – T Cos 60o

T = 103.92 Kg
From equation 1:
W = 103 92 Kg Sin 60 o + 30
W = 120 Kg
3.A uniform bar 6m long is held by ropes @ the ends making angles 60 0 and 300 respectively
with the horizontal. A weight of 300N is hung 1m from the left end where the 60 0 rope is
attached. Find the tensions in the ropes and the weight of the bar.
Given:
T1 6m

T2
60o 30
o

1m
300N W

Required:
T1, T2 and W

Solution:

∑Fy = 0 = T2 Cos 30o – T1 Cos 60o

o
T 2 cos 30
T1 = o
cos 60
T1 = 1.73 T2 (equation 1)

∑Fy = 0 = T1 Sin 60o + T2 Sin 30o -300 N – W ( equation 2 )

∑Mo = 0 = -T1 Sin 60o (6) + 300(5) +W(3)

0 = -5.196 T1 +1500 + 3W

1500+3 W
T1 = ( equation 3 )
5.196

Equate equation 1 and equation 3

1500+3 W
1.73 T2 = = 288. 683 +0.577 W
5.196

T2 = 166. 87 + 0.33 W ( equation 4 )

Substitute equation 3 and 4 in equation 2

( 1500+3
5.196 )
W
Sin 60 + ( 166.87+0.33 W ) Sin 30 = 300 + W
o o

250 + 0.5W + 83. 435 + 0.165W = 300 + W

0.335W = 33.435

W = 99.81 N

Substitute W in equation 3 and equation 4 to solve for T 1 and T2

 T1 = 346.31 N
T2 = 199.81 N
Activity # 1

1. A 50g weight is suspended from two cords. One cord exerts a force of 30g and makes an
angle of 750 to the right of the vertical and the other exerts a force of F g and is Ѳ to the
left of the vertical. Find F and Ѳ.

2. A beam BC and a cable AB support a weight of 1200lbs. as shown below. The beam
weighs 300 lbs. Calculate the tensions in the cable and the reactions of the support C.
B

1200lbs
30o 45
A
C
PARALLEL FORCES: COUPLES

COUPLE – a pair of equal, parallel and opposite forces acting on a body

NOTE:

 The RESULTANT of parallel forces are determined by getting the algebraic sum of the
forces

SAMPLE PROBLEM:
1. Forces of 20 units upward, 50 units upward and 30 units downward are applied at points 0,
2 unit and 6 unit marks respectively on a body. Determine the amount, direction and
position of the resultant. 50 units
Given: 20 units
30 units

Required:

R and x R

Solution:

R = 20 + 50 – 30 = 40 units

∑M0 = -50(2) + 30(6) = 80

80 = 40x

X=2

CENTER OF GRAVITY
- The point where the weight of the body is concentrated

ARCHIMEDES: “There is a point on a body called CENTER OF GRAVITY such that the body will
balance in all positions when supported @ that point”
 To determine the center of gravity of regularly shaped body, moment and parallel
forces principles are used.

∑ Wx ∑ Wy
X= y=
W W
Where:
W = weight of the body, X = perpendicular distance to y-axis, Y = perpendicular distance to the x-axi
 SAMPLE PROBLEM:

1. Find the center of gravity of a board in the shape of a T as shown below

y - axis

8”
X - axis
4” •

10””

4”
Center of
gravity

10 ( 4 ) ( 5 ) + 4 ( 8 ) ( 12 )
x=
11 ( 4 ) +4 ( 8 )

x = 8.11inches

2. Find the center of gravity of the figure shown

Y - axis

1’

3’

3’

1’
X - axis

Center of gravity
3 (1 ) ( 0.5 ) +3 ( 1 ) ( 2.5 )
x=
3+3
x = 1.5 in.
3 (1 ) ( 1.5 ) +3 ( 1 )( 0.5 )
y=
3+3
 y = 1 in.

Activity # 2
1. A ball weighing 20 g rests on two boards arranged as a 45 o through with one board
vertical. What are the reactions of the board on the ball?

2. Given forces of 10 g upward acting @ 0 ft mark, 20 g upward @ 3 ft mark and 15 g

downward @ 5 ft mark. Determine the magnitude of the resultant and its point of
application

3. Find the center of gravity of the figure shown below

3”

2”

6”
”

1”

8”
REFERENCES

Young, Hugh D. and Freedman, Roger A.(1996) University Physics, 9th Edition, Volume
I1, Addison-Wesley Publishing Co. Inc.

Jones, Edwin R. and Childers, Richard (1999) Contemporary Physics, 3rd Edition,
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc