EQUILIBRIUM OF A PARTICLE-(7)

A particle is said to be in equilibrium when the resultant of all the forces

acting on it is zero.
That is,  Fx = 0 and  Fy = 0.
The above two equations are the necessary and sufficient conditions for a
particle to be in equilibrium.
Let us assume that a particle B is acted upon by several forces as shown
in fig.(20). If the resultant of all the forces acting on the particle B is equal to
zero, the particle B is said to be in equilibrium
 Fx = 0 means that the sum of all the forces acting in the x direction is
equal to zero. That is, Px + Qx – Rx ― Sx = 0.
 Fy = 0. means that the sum of all the forces acting in the y direction is
equal to zero. That is, (― Py) +Qy + Ry + (― Sy) = 0.
Since the resultant is zero, the length of the resultant (T) in the force polygon
shown in fig. 1 (c) will be zero. Therefore the closing side of the polygon that
represents the resultant will not be there. So the last point (e) of the force
polygon will meet the first point (a) of the polygon as shown in fig. 1(d).

Newton’s First Law of Motion:

If the resultant of all the forces acting on a particle is zero, the particle
will remain at rest (if originally at rest) or will move with constant speed in a
straight line (if originally in motion)

Static Equilibrium:
A body is said to be in static equilibrium when the
resultant of all the forces acting on it is zero and the body is at
rest.
Refer fig. 2. The weight of the block W and the reaction force R
are equal and opposite. The force P and the friction force Fr, if
equal, the resultant force will be zero. Therefore the block is in
equilibrium. If the block was already at rest, it will continue to be at rest. If
P > Fr, the block will start moving with some acceleration. If the block was
already in motion and if P < Fr, then the block would be decelerating. When
the block is accelerating or decelerating, it is not in equilibrium. We say
that its equilibrium condition is disturbed.
Dynamic Equilibrium:
A body is said to be in dynamic equilibrium when the
resultant of all the forces acting on it is zero and the body is
moving at constant speed in a straight line.
Referring to the same figure fig. 2, if W = R and P = Fr, the
resultant force is zero the block is in equilibrium. If the block
was already in motion, it will continue to be in motion in
straight line at constant velocity. If P > Fr, its velocity will start increasing at a
certain rate (acceleration). If P < Fr, its velocity will start decreasing at a certain
rate (deceleration). When the block is in accelerated or decelerated motion,
the block is said to be not in equilibrium. We say that its equilibrium
condition is disturbed.

Space diagram:
A sketch showing the physical conditions of a problem is known as a
space diagram.
Free-Body Diagram:
This diagram can be drawn by choosing a significant particle and
drawing a separate diagram showing this particle and all the forces acting on
it. Such a diagram is called a free-body diagram.
As an example, consider the 75-kg crate shown in the space diagram
shown in figure 3 (a). This crate was lying between two buildings, and it is now
being lifted onto a truck, which will remove it. 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. It is desired to determine the tension in
each of the ropes AB and AC.

In order to solve this problem, a free-body diagram must be drawn, showing a

particle in equilibrium. Since we are interested in the rope tensions, the free-
body diagram should include at least one of these tensions and, if possible,
both tensions. Point A is seen to be a good free body for this problem. The
free-body diagram of point A shown in figure 3 (b) shows point A and the forces
exerted on A by the vertical cable and the two ropes.

The force exerted by

the cable is directed
downward and is equal
to the weight W of the
crate and indicate this
in the free-body
diagram. The forces
exerted by the two ropes
are not known. Since
the forces are actually the tension in rope AB and rope AC, we denote them by
TAB and TAC and draw them away from A in the directions shown in the space
diagram. No other detail is included in the free-body diagram.

Types of problems:
(1) Determination of the resultant of several forces.
Since the resultant is zero, type one problem is not applicable here.
2) Determination of
(a) magnitude and direction of a single force
(b) magnitudes of two forces
(c) magnitude of one force and direction of another and
(d) directions of two forces.
Follow the same methods used under the topic ‘Resultant of several forces’. The
only difference is that the resultant force is zero.

Please note that in all the types of problems mentioned above we can
determine only two unknowns, because we have only two equations, namely,
 Fx = 0, and  Fy = 0.
Example problem 1: The body A shown in fig. 4 is in equilibrium under the
action of the system of forces given. Determine the force R. (problem type 2a)

Solution: Since the direction of the force R is not given, use plus sign for both
Rx and Ry to avoid careless mistakes.

For the force S :  = tan-1 (5/3.5) = 55o

Considering x direction forces:

Fx = 150 + 60 cos 75o + Rx ― 125 cos 55o ― 0 = 0
= 150 + 15.53 + Rx ― 71.70 ― 0 = 0
Rx + 93.83 = 0; Rx = ― 93.83 N
Considering y direction forces:
Fy = 0 + 60 sin 75o + Ry ― 125 sin 55o ― 90 = 0
= 0 + 57.96 + Ry ―102.4 – 90 = 0
Ry ―134.4 = 0; Ry = + 134.4 N
Refer fig. 4 (b): (Don’t forget to draw the fig. 4 (b) for the force R).
Magnitude of R = √(−93.83)2 + (+134.4)2 = 164.0 N
93.83
Direction of R : tan  = = 0.5725. and  = 34.920 ; Direction of R =
163.9

124.90 measured CCW from + x axis. (Note: ― ve sign removed while

calculating the angle)
EXAMPLE PROBLEM 2: The body A shown in fig. 5 is in equilibrium under the
action of the system of forces given. Determine the magnitudes of the forces Q
and S. (problem type 2b).

Solution: Since the directions of Q and S

are given, use proper sign for their
components.

Considering x direction forces :

Fx = 50 + Q cos 750 ― 28 sin 58o ― S cos 55o ― 0
= 50 + 0.2588 Q – 23.75 ― 0.5736 S ― 0 = 0
0.2588 Q ― 0.5736 S = ― 26.25 N ------------ (1)
Considering y direction forces:
Fy = 0 + Q sin 750 + 28 cos 58o ― S sin 550 ― 90
= 0 + 0.9659 Q + 14.84 ― 0.8192 S – 90 = 0
0.9659 Q ― 0.8192 S = + 75.16 N ---------- (2)
Solve equations 1 and 2 and find Q and S.
0.2588 Q ― 0.5736 S = ― 101.4 N -------------- (1)
0.9659 Q ― 0.8192 S = + 77.81 N ---------------(2)
Ans: Q = 188.9 N and S = 131.0 N
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Type 2c and 2d problems are not discussed here.