Chapter 3

Force vectors and equilibrium of particles

Lesson 1
Force Vectors
A vector is a numerical value in a specific direction. Hence, the force vector describes a specific
amount of force and its direction.

Fy Fx
sinθx = cosθx =
F F

Then,
Fy = Fsinθx Fx = Fcosθx

Fx and Fy are considered positive if they act in the positive directions of the X and Y axes, and
negative if they act in the opposite direction.
2 Fy
Then R = √(Fx )2 + (Fy ) and tanθx = F
x

Sample Problem
1. A force of 800N is exerted on bolt A as shown in the figure. Determine the horizontal and
vertical components of the force.
Solution:
Solving Horizontally: Fx = −Fcosθx
Fx = −(800N) (cos35°)
Fx = −655.322N

Solving Vertically: Fy = Fsinθx

Fy = (800N) (sin35°)
Fy = 458.861N

2. A man pulls with a force of 300N on a rope attached to a building as shown in the figure.
What are the horizontal and vertical components of the force exerted by the rope at point
A?
 Solution:
Fx = +F cosα → (eq. 1)
Fy = −F sin α → (eq. 2)

Solving for AB
AB2 = (8m)2 + (6m)2
AB = 10m

adj 8m 4
cosαx = = =
hyp 10m 5
opp 6m 3
sinαy = = =
hyp 10m 5

Fx = +F cosα
4
Fx = +(300N) ( ) = +240N
5

Fy = −F sin α
3
Fy = −(300N) ( ) = −180N
5

3. Knowing that α = 40°, determine the resultant of the three forces shown.
Solving for 300N
adj Fx1
cos 20° = =
hyp 300N
Fx1 = (300N)(cos 20°)
Fx1 = 281.908N

opp Fy1
sin20° = =
hyp 300N
Fy1 = (300N)(sin 20°)
Fy1 = 102.606N

Solving for 400N

adj Fx2
cos 60° = =
hyp 400N
Fx2 = (400N)(cos 60°)
Fx2 = 200N

opp Fy2
sin20° = =
hyp 400N
Fy2 = (400N)(sin 60°)
Fy2 = 346.410N

Solving for 600N

adj Fx3
cos 30° = =
hyp 600N
Fx3 = (600N)(cos 30°)
Fx3 = 519.615N

opp Fy3
sin30° = =
hyp 600N
Fy3 = −(600N)(sin 30°)
Fy3 = −300N

Solving for Resultant

Fx = Fx1 + Fx2 + Fx3
Fx = 281.908N + 200N + 519.615N
Fx = 1001.523N

Fy = Fy1 + Fy2 + Fy3

Fy = 102.606N + 346.410N + (−300N)
Fy = 149.016N

2
R = √(Fx )2 + (Fy )

R = √(1001.523N)2 + (149.016N)2
R = 1012.548N

Fy
tanθ =
Fx
149.016N
θ = tan−1 [ ]
1001.523N
θ = 8.463° angle of resultant with the horizontal

other solution
FORCE X-COMPONENT Y-COMPONENT
600N 600N sin 40 -600 cos 40
400N 400N cos 40 400 sin 40
300N +300N 0

Fx = Fx1 + Fx2 + Fx3

Fx = (600N sin 40) + (400N cos 40) + (300N)
Fx = 992.0903431N

Fy = Fy1 + Fy2 + Fy3

Fy = (−600 cos 40) + (400 sin 40) + 0
Fy = −202.511622N

2
R = √(Fx )2 + (Fy )

R = √(992.0903431N)2 + (−202.511622N)2
R = 1012.548N

Fy
tanθ =
Fx
202.511622N
θ = tan−1 [ ]
992.0903431N
θ = 11.537° when x axis is parallel to the inclined axis
Lesson 2
Equilibrium of particle

A particle in in equilibrium if the vector sum of the external forces acting on it is zero. Hence a
particle is in equilibrium if:
1. It is at rest and remains at rest – static equilibrium
2. It moves with constant velocity – dynamic equilibrium

This implies that a body is either at rest or is moving along a straight-line path with constant
velocity (Newton’s first law of motion). If there are only two forces acting on a particle that is in
equilibrium, then the two forces must be equal (in magnitude) and in opposite direction to each
other. If three forces act on a particle that is in equilibrium, then when three forces are place end
to end, they must form a triangle.

Conditions of bodies in equilibrium

a) Graphical condition

b) Analytical condition
𝐅𝟏 𝐅𝟐
∑ Fx = 0 =

∑ Fy = 0 𝐅𝟏 = 𝐅𝟐

∑M = 0 =

c) Directional condition

2
R = √(R x )2 +(R y ) +(R z )2
Rx = ∑ X Ry = ∑ Y Rz = ∑ Z

To satisfy the condition that a resultant of a force system be equal to zero (0), it follows therefore
that:
∑ X = 0, ∑ Y = 0, ∑ Z = 0 ………………………………….. (1)
Although the condition state in (1) is met, it is also possible that the resultant of the force system
may be a couple. The possibility of a resultant being a eliminated if all the moment summations
are also zero. Thus, for this reason, the equations of equilibrium that may be obtained are:

∑ X = 0 ∑ Mx = 0
∑ Y = 0 ∑ My = 0 independent equation of equilibrium
∑ Z = 0 ∑ Mz = 0

Sample Problem
1. The three forces in Newtons in the diagram are in equilibrium. What are the values of
B and θ ?

Solution:
Solving for x component, ∑ X = 0
adj x
cosθ = =
hyp B
20N
cosθ =
B
B(cosθ) = 20
B(cosθ) − 20 = 0 … (1)

Solving for y component, ∑ Y = 0

opp y
sinθ = =
hyp B
15N
sinθ =
B
B(sinθ) = 15N
B(sinθ) − 15N = 0 … (2)

Equate both sides

20N 15N
(1) B = cosθ (2) B = sinθ
20N 15N
=
cosθ sinθ
sinθ 15
=
cosθ 20
sinθ 15
tanθ = cosθ ∴ tanθ = 20
15
tanθ =
20
 15
θ = tan−1 ( ) = 36.87°
20

20N 20N
B= = = 25.000N
cosθ cos (36.87°)
15N 15N
B= = = 24.9999N = 25N
sinθ sin (36.87°)

2. The boom shown has a negligible weight but has sufficient strength to support the 1000kN
load. Find the tension in the supporting cable between A and B.

Solution:
Sketch FBD

opp 1000kN
tan60° = =
adj TAB
TAB = 577.350kN

3. A crate with a mass of 75kg was lying between two buildings and is now being lifted onto
a truck which will remove it as shown in figure (a). The crate is supported by a vertical
cable which is joined at A to two ropes which pass over pulleys attached to the buildings
at B and C. Determine the tension in each of the ropes AB and AC.
Solution:
a) Solve the weight of the crate and sketch the
FBD and force triangle
m
W = mg = (75kg) (9.81 2 ) = 735.75N
s

b) Using the law of sines we have

a b c
= =
sinA sinB sinC
TAB TAC 735.75N
= =
sin60° sin40° sin80°

TAB 735.75N
=
sin60° sin80°
735.75N(sin60°)
TAB =
sin80°
TAB = 647.008N

TAC 735.75N
=
sin40° sin80°
735.75N(sin40°)
TAC =
sin80°
TAC = 480.227N