Statics of Particles

MET 2214

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Static Equilibrium for a Particle

Objective: To introduce the concept of the free-body

diagram for a particle and to show how to solve
particle equilibrium problems using the equations of
equilibrium.

A particle: An object with inertia (mass) but of

negligible dimensions.

A particle at rest: A particle is at rest if originally at

rest or has a constant velocity if originally in motion.

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Equilibrium equations for a particle

A particle is in equilibrium if the resultant of ALL

forces acting on the particle is equal to zero.
(Newton’s first law is that a body at rest is not
subjected to any unbalanced forces).

Sum of all forces acting

on a particle =  F  0

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Equilibrium equations in component form

In a rectangular coordinate system the equilibrium

equations can be represented by three scalar
equations:

F
x 0
F
y 0
F
z 0

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Free-Body Diagram (FBD):
To apply equilibrium equations we must account for all
known and unknown forces acting on the particle.

The best way to do this is to draw a free-body diagram of

the particle.

FBD: A diagram showing the particle under consideration

and all the forces and moments acting on this particle.

This is a sketch that shows the particle “free” from its

surroundings with all the forces acting on it.

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Parallelogram Law
Two forces on a body can be replaced by a single force called
the resultant by drawing the diagonal of the parallelogram
with sides equivalent to the two forces.

Copyright of Ohio University

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Principal of Transmissibility
The conditions of equilibrium or motion of a body remain unchanged
if a force on the body is replaced by a force of the same
magnitude and direction along the line of action of the original
force.

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Mechanical components
String or cable: A mechanical device that can only
transmit a tensile force along itself.

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Mechanical components
Linear spring: A mechanical device which exerts a force along its
line of action and proportional to its extension (F = kX).

K is constant of proportionality which is a measure of stiffness or

strength.

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Mechanical components
Cables:
Cables are assumed to have negligible weight and they cannot stretch.

They can only support tension or pulling (you can’t push on a rope!).

Frictionless pulleys:
Pulleys are assumed to be frictionless.

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Mechanical components
A continuous cable passing over a
frictionless pulley must have tension force
of a constant magnitude.

The tension force is always directed in

the direction of the cable.

For a frictionless pulley in static

equilibrium, the tension in the cable is
the same on both sides of the pulley.

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Force types
Force types:
Active Forces - tend to set the particle in motion.

Reactive Forces - result from constraints or supports

and tend to prevent motion.

Reactive
force Active force

Active force
Reactive force

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Free Body Diagram (FBD)
How to draw a Free Body Diagram:
Draw outlined shape - Imagine the particle isolated
or cut “free” from its surroundings
Show all forces and moments - Include “active
forces” and “reactive forces”. Place each force and
couple at the point that it is applied.
Identify each force:
Known forces labeled with proper magnitude and direction.
Letters used for unknown quantities.
Add any relevant dimensions onto your picture.

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 FBD

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 FBD
F.B.D of the ring A:

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Example 1
The sphere has a mass of 6 kg and is supported as shown. Draw a
free-body diagram of the sphere, cord CE, and the knot at C.

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Sphere
There are two forces acting on the sphere. These are its weight
and the force of cord CE.
The weight is: W = 6 kg (9.81 m/s2) = 58.9 N.

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 FBD of sphere
This is the way we show the FBD of the sphere:

FCE

58.9 N

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Cord CE
There are two forces acting on the cord. These are the force of
the sphere, and the force of the knot. A cord is a tension only
member. Newton’s third law applies.

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 FBD of the cord CE

FEC

FCE

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Knot at C
There are three forces acting on the knot at C. These are the
force of the cord CBA, and the force of the cord CE, and the
force of the spring CD.

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 FBD of the knot at C

FCBA

60o FCD

FCE

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Example 2
Draw the FBD diagram of the ring A:

W= 2.452 KN
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Prof. Simin Nasseri
 FBD of the ring A
Is this the FBD of A?

No! this is not the free

body diagram of A!

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 FBD of the ring A

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Example 3
Draw the free body diagrams of C and E and the cable CE:

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 FBD of E

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 FBD of C

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Prof. Simin Nasseri
 FBD of cable EC

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Example 4
Draw the FBD of ring A.

W=78.5 N

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Prof. Simin Nasseri
 FBD of A

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Part 2

Applying the Equilibrium

Equations

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 FBD
Draw the free body diagrams:
N

30
W
W
Normal force = The force you have when there is a contact between surfaces
(the ball is in contact with the ground).
Friction force = You have this when the surface in contact is not frictionless and the
friction prevents the motion of the object.

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 FBD y
y
N

x
N
f

x 30
F x 0
F 0
F 0
y
W x
W
F
y 0

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 FBD y
y
N

x
N
W.sin30
f

W.cos30

W N=W
N - W.cos 30 = 0
f - W.sin 30 = 0

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Example 2:
Determine the tension in cables AB and AD for equilibrium of
the 250 kg engine.

FBD of the ring A

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri
 Solution of Example 2
According to the free body diagram of the ring A, we have three forces
acting on the ring. The forces TB and TD have unknown magnitudes but
known directions. Cable AC exerts a downward force on A equal to:
W = (250kg)(9.81m/s2) = 2452N = 2.245KN

F x  0, TB cos 30  TD  0
F y  0, TB sin 30  2.452kN  0 TBsin30

Solving for TB :
TB sin 30  2.452kN , TB  4.90kN TBcos30
Subsituting into the first equation:
TD  4.25kN

Statics (MET 2214)

Prof. Simin Nasseri