Engineering Mechanics

Lecture 2
5/10, Friday
3-4am
 2-Particle Interactions

Sun : earth

f21
Atom : atom
f12
2

1
f12 = f 21

f12 + f 21 =
0
 3-Particle Interactions

F3 3

f32
f ij + f ji =
0
f23
f31

2 F2
i, j = 1, 2,3
f13
f21
F1 f12
1
 Many-Particle Interactions
For an N particles system, Newtons 1st law
in equilibrium
Fi + f ij =
0 i = 1, 2,
j i

F3 3
Summation of the above equation gives
f32
f31
f23 F + f
i
i
i j i
ij =
0

f13 2 F2 Newtons 3rd law

f21
F1 f12 f i j i
ij =0
1
Therefore:
F = 0
i
i
 Free-Body-Diagram

Isolate the body in question with the representation of

all external forces acting on it.

F = 0
i
i
Problem 1
Remove Spike from Timber

It is desired to remove the spike from the timber by applying force

along its horizontal axis. An obstruction A prevents direct access, so
that two forces, one is 1.6kN and the other P, are applied by cables
as shown. Compute the magnitude of P necessary to ensure axial
tension T along the spike. Also find T.
 Remove Spike from Timber

Vertical: P sin a = 1.6sin

Horizontal:

=T P cos a + 1.6 cos

Problem 2
 Knot in Static Equilibrium?
F1 F2

Horizontal:

F1 cos = F2 cos
Vertical:
F1 sin + F2 sin =
mg

Mass: m
 When strings are
almost straight horizontally
cos
F1 F2 F1 = mg
sin cos + cos sin
cos
F2 = mg
sin cos + cos sin

0
when
0

F1
F2
Mass: m