Engineering

Mechanics:
Statics

14th Edition
SI Units

Chapter 3: Equilibrium of a
Particle
 Chapter Objectives

 To introduce the concept of the free-body diagram

for a particle.

 To show how to solve particle equilibrium problems

using the equations of equilibrium.

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 Chapter Outline

3.1 Condition for the Equilibrium of a

Particle

3.2 The Free-Body Diagram

3.3 Coplanar Force Systems

3.4 Three-Dimensional Force Systems

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 3.1 Condition for the
Equilibrium of a Particle
Particle at equilibrium if
- At rest
- Moving at constant a constant velocity

⚫ Newton’s first law of motion

∑F = 0

where ∑F is the vector sum of all the forces

acting on the particle
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 3.1 Condition for the
Equilibrium of a Particle
⚫ Newton’s second law of motion
∑F = ma

When the force fulfill Newton's first law of motion,

ma = 0
a=0
therefore, the particle is moving in constant
velocity or at rest
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 3.2 The Free-Body Diagram
- Best representation of all the unknown forces
(∑F) which acts on the particle.

A drawing showing with all the forces acting

on it is called a free-body diagram.
Consider two common connections in this
subject – Springs
– Cables and Pulleys

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 3.2 The Free-Body Diagram
Spring
- Linearly elastic spring: change in length is
directly proportional to the force acting on it
- spring constant or stiffness k : defines the
elasticity of the spring
- Magnitude of force when spring is
elongated or compressed
s = l - lo
F = ks
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 3.2 The Free-Body Diagram
sSpring
= l - lo
- Linearly length
l : deformed elastic spring: change in length is
lo :directly proportional
undeformed length to the force acting on it
- spring constant or stiffness k : defines the
-elasticity
S is positive:
of theelongation,
spring
F “pull”on the spring
- Magnitude of force when spring is
elongated or compressed
- S is negative: shortening,
s = l - lo
F = ks
F “push”on the spring

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 3.2 The Free-Body Diagram

Cables and Pulley

- All cables (or cords) are assumed to have negligible
weight and they cannot stretch (except Sec 7.4)

- A cable only support tension or pulling force, and this

force always acts in the direction of the cable

- Tension force in a continuous cable must have a

constant magnitude for equilibrium (ch 5)

For any angle , the cable is

subjected to a constant tension T
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 3.2 The Free-Body Diagram

Cables and Pulley

- All cables (or cords) are assumed to have negligible
weight and they cannot stretch (except Sec 7.4)

- A cable only support tension or pulling force, and this

force always acts in the direction of the cable

- Tension force in a continuous cable must have a

constant magnitude for equilibrium (ch 5)

For any angle , the cable is

subjected to a constant tension T
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 3.2 The Free-Body Diagram

Smooth Contact
⚫ If an object rests on a
smooth surface, then
the surface will exert a
force on the object that
is normal to the surface
at the point of contact.

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 3.2 The Free-Body Diagram

Procedure for Drawing a FBD

1. Draw outlined shape
- Isolate particle from its surroundings

2. Show all the forces

- Indicate all the forces
- Active forces: set the particle in motion
- Reactive forces: result of constraints and
supports that tend to prevent motion
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 3.2 The Free-Body Diagram

Procedure for Drawing a FBD

1. Identify
3. Draw outlined
each shape
forces
- Isolate particle from its surroundings
- Known forces should be labeled with proper
magnitude
2. Show and
all the direction
forces
- Indicate all the forces
- Letters are used to represent magnitude
- and
Active forces: set
directions the particle
of unknown in motion
forces
- Reactive forces: result of constraints and
supports that tend to prevent motion
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 3.2 The Free-Body Diagram

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 3.2 The Free-Body Diagram

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 3.3 Coplanar Force Systems
- A particle is subjected to coplanar
forces in the x-y plane

- Each force resolve into i and j

components for equilibrium

F = 0
Fx i + Fy j = 0

- For this vector equation, the  Fx = 0

resultant force’s x and y  Fy = 0
components must be equal to zero
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 3.3 Coplanar Force Systems
- A particle is subjected to coplanar
forces in the x-y plane

- Each force resolve into i and j

components for equilibrium

F = 0
Fx i + Fy j = 0

- For this vector equation, the  Fx = 0

resultant force’s x and y These two equations
 Fycan
=be
0 used
components must be equal to to zero
solve for up to two unknowns.
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 3.3 Coplanar Force Systems

- Sense of direction = an algebraic sign which

corresponds to the arrowhead direction of the
component along the x or y axis.

- For unknown magnitude, assume arrowhead sense

of the force

- If the solution yields a negative scalar, this indicates

that the sense of the force is opposite

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 3.3 Coplanar Force Systems
Example
Consider the free-body diagram of the particle
subjected to two forces

Assume unknown force F acts to the right for

equilibrium
+→ ∑Fx = 0 + F + 10N = 0
F = -10N
Force F acts towards the left for equilibrium
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 3.3 Coplanar Force Systems
Example
Consider the free-body diagram of the particle
subjected to two forces

Assume unknown force F acts to the right for

equilibrium
+→ ∑Fx = 0 + F + 10N = 0
F = -10N
Force F acts towards the left for equilibrium
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 Procedure for Analysis
Free-Body Diagram
⚫ Establish the x, y axes in any suitable orientation

⚫ Label all the unknown and known forces magnitudes

and directions on the diagram.

⚫ The sense of a force having an unknown magnitude

can be assumed.

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 Procedure for Analysis
Free-Body of
Equations Diagram
Equilibrium
⚫ Apply the equations of equilibrium
⚫ Establish the x, y axes in any suitable orientation
∑Fx = 0 and ∑Fy = 0
⚫ Label all the unknown and known forces magnitudes
and directions on the
⚫ Components arediagram.
positive if they are directed
along
⚫ The a positive
sense of a forceaxis, and
having negativemagnitude
an unknown if they are
candirected along a negative axis.
be assumed.

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 Procedure
Procedure for
for Analysis
Analysis
Equations of
Equations
Free-Body of Equilibrium
Diagram
Equilibrium
⚫ If more than two unknowns exist and the problem
⚫ Apply
⚫ Establish
the equations of equilibrium
involves a spring apply F = kssuitable
the x, y axes in any to relateorientation
the spring
force∑F
to xthe and S∑F
= 0deformation = 0spring.
of ythe
⚫ Label all the unknown and known forces magnitudes
and
⚫ directions
Components
⚫ Since
on the
the magnitude arediagram.
positive
of a forceifisthey area positive
always directed
along
quantity,
⚫ The senseathen
positive
of aifforce axis,
the solution
having and negative
for unknown
an if they
a force yields a are
magnitude
cannegative
directed result,
be assumed.along this
a indicates
negativethat its sense is the
axis.
reverse of that shown on the free-body diagram.

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 3.4 Three-Dimensional
Force Systems
For particle equilibrium:
∑F = 0
In three-dimensional
force system: resolve
into i, j, k components

∑Fx i + ∑Fy j + ∑Fz k = 0

Fx = 0
Three scalar equations
representing algebraic Fy = 0
sums of the x, y, z forces Fzy = 0
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 3.4 Three-Dimensional
Force Systems
For particle equilibrium:
∑F = 0
In three-dimensional
force system: resolve
into i, j, k components These three equations can be
used to solve for up to three
unknowns.
∑Fx i + ∑Fy j + ∑Fz k = 0
Fx = 0
Three scalar equations
representing algebraic Fy = 0
sums of the x, y, z forces Fzy = 0
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 3.4 Three-Dimensional
Force Systems
For particle equilibrium:
∑F = 0
In three-dimensional
force system: resolve
into i, j, k components These three equations can be
used to solve for up to three
unknowns.
∑Fx i + ∑Fy j + ∑Fz k = 0
Fx = 0
Three scalar equations
representing algebraic Fy = 0
sums of the x, y, z forces Fzy = 0
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 3.4 Three-Dimensional
Force Systems
Procedure for Analysis
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.

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 3.4 Three-Dimensional
Force Systems
Procedure
Procedure for
for Analysis
Analysis
Equations of
Free-Body Equilibrium
Diagram
⚫ Apply ∑Fx
⚫ Establish = x,
the 0, y,
∑Fy = 0 and
z axes ∑Fz
in any = 0 when
suitable forces can
orientation.
be easily resolved into x, y, z components
⚫ Label all the known and unknown force magnitudes
⚫ If directions
and the three-dimensional geometry appears difficult,
on the diagram.
express each force as a Cartesian vector. Substitute
vectors
⚫ The intoof∑F
sense = 0 and
a force set i,
having anj, unknown
k components =0
magnitude
can be assumed.
⚫ Negative results indicate that the sense of the force is
opposite to that shown on the FBD.
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