Chapter 2

Statics of Particles 2.0 Force on a particle All the forces acting on a particle will be assumed to be applied at the same point, that is the forces are assumed concurrent. There can be many forces acting on a particle. The resultant of a system of forces on a particle is the single force which has the same effect as the system of forces. The resultant of two forces can be found using the parallelogram law.

Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
2.1 Scalars and vectors Scalar A mathematical quantity possessing magnitude only.

Eg: area, volume, mass, length

Vectors A mathematical quantity possessing magnitude and direction.

Eg: forces, velocity, displacement, moment Magnitude is designated as A or simply A Representation of vector

Bold Word Processors Book uses this. Arrow Long Hand, Word Processors

F or F or F or F

Underline R Long Hand, Typewriter, Word Processors

Represented graphically as an arrow - Length of arrow = Magnitude of Vector - Angle between the reference axis and arrows line of action = Direction of Vector - Arrowhead = Sense of Vector

Chapter 2
Statics of Particles

Example: Magnitude of Vector = 4 units Direction of Vector = 20 measured counterclockwise from the horizontal axis Sense of Vector = Upward and to the right The point O is called tail of the vector and the point P is called the tip or head

Chapter 2
Statics of Particles

For 2 vectors to be equal they must have the same:

1). Magnitude 2). Direction

They do not need to have the same point of application.

A negative vector of a given vector has same magnitude but opposite direction. A -A

A and A are equal and opposite A + (-A) = 0

Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
2.1.1 Vector operations Product of a scalar and a vector

A + A + A = 4A (the number 4 is a scalar) This is a vector in the same direction as A but 4 times as long. (+n)A = vector same direction as A, n times as long (-n)A = vector opposite direction as A, n times as long

Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
Vector addition Addition of two vectors A and B gives a resultant vector R by the parallelogram law. Result R can be found by triangle construction (i.e. headto-tail fashion: by connecting the head A to the tail of B. The resultant R extends from the tail of A to the head of B. Addition of vectors is communicative:

R=A+B=B+A

Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
Special case: Vectors A and B are collinear (both have the same line of action) Vector subtraction Vector subtraction is defined as the addition of the corresponding ve vector. R = A B = A + ( - B )

Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
2.1.2 Resolution of vector A single vector R can be represented by 2 or more vectors. These vectors are components of the original vector. Finding these is called resolving the vector into its components by the parallelogram law The two components A and B are drawn such that they extend from the tail or R to points of intersection

Chapter 2
Statics of Particles

When two or more forces are added, successive applications of the parallelogram law is carried out to find the resultant
Eg: Forces F1, F2 and F3 acts at a point O - First, find resultant of F1 + F2 - Resultant, F R = ( F1 + F2 ) + F 3

2.1.3 Procedure for Analysis

Make a sketch using the parallelogram law Label all the known and unknown force magnitudes and angles Redraw half portion of the parallelogram - Magnitude of the resultant force can be determined by the law of cosines - Direction if the resultant force can be determined by the law of sines

Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
- Magnitude of the two components can be determined by the law of sines

Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
2.2 Rectangular components of a force In many problems, it is desirable to resolve force F into two perpendicular components in the x and y directions.

Fx and Fy are called rectangular vector components.

F Fx Fy

Sense of direction along positive x and y axes

F ' F 'x F ' y

Sense of direction along positive x and negative y axes

In two-dimensions, the cartesian unit vectors i and j are used to designate the directions of x and y axes.

Fx = Fx i and Fy = Fy j i.e. F = Fx i + Fy j Fx and Fy are scalar components of F

Chapter 2
Statics of Particles

Unit vectors i and j have dimensionless magnitude of unity (=1)

F = Fxi + Fy(-j) or F = Fxi Fy j Cartesian vector notation

Consider three coplanar forces

F1 = F1xi + F1yj F2 = - F2xi + F2yj F3 = F3xi F3yj

Chapter 2
Statics of Particles

Vector resultant is therefore

F R = F1 + F2 + F 3 = F1xi + F1yj - F2xi + F2yj + F3xi F3yj = (F1x - F2x + F3x)i + (F1y + F2y F3y)j = (FRx)i + (FRy)j

If scalar notation are used

FRx = (F1x - F2x + F3x) FRy = (F1y + F2y F3y) In all cases, FRx = Fx FRy = Fy

Chapter 2
Statics of Particles

Magnitude of FR can be found by Pythagoras` Theorem

FR F 2 Rx F 2 Ry

Direction angle (orientation of the force) can be found by trigonometry FRy 1 tan FRx

Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
2.3 Equilibrium of particle When the resultant of all forces acting on a particle is zero, the particle is in equilibrium. Newtons First Law: If the resultant force on a particle is zero, the particle will remain at rest or will continue at constant speed in a straight line.

Particle acted upon by two forces: - equal magnitude - same line of action - opposite sense

Particle acted upon by three or more forces: - graphical solution yields a closed polygon - algebraic solution

R F 0

Fx 0

Fy 0

Chapter 2
Statics of Particles

We must account for all the forces acting on a particle. The best way to do this is to draw an FBD. An FBD is a sketch of the particle isolated (or free) from its surroundings shown with all the forces that act on the particle. Steps for Drawing a FBD

1).Decide which body to analyze 2).Separate this body from everything else and sketch the contour 3).Draw all applied forces 4).Include any necessary dimensions and coordinate axis

Steps 3 and 4- These are external forces

Applied forces - think of these as forces that try to get the particle to move. Reaction forces - forces that try to prevent motion. Note: When drawing the forces, if you don't know the direction, assume a direction and let the sign of the answer tell you if the direction is correct or not. 1). Magnitude and direction of all forces should be clearly indicated. 2). Indicate the direction of the force on the body.

Rules of FBD

Chapter 2
Statics of Particles

Space Diagram: A sketch showing the physical conditions of the problem.

Free-Body Diagram: A sketch showing only the forces on the selected particle.