EQUILIBRIUM OF A PARTICLE, THE FREEBODY DIAGRAM & COPLANAR FORCE

SYSTEMS
Ch. 3 Objectives:
Students will be able to :
a) Explore the concept of equilibrium
b) Draw a free body diagram (FBD), and,
c) Apply equations of equilibrium to solve a 2D problem.
d) Apply equations of equilibrium to solve a 3D problem.

EQUILIBRIUM OF A PARTICLE, THE FREE-BODY

DIAGRAM & COPLANAR FORCE SYSTEMS

Equilibrium
A key concept in statics is that of equilibrium. If an object is at rest, we
will assume that it is in equilibrium and that the sum of the forces
acting on the object equal zero.

Newtons First Law of Physics: 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.

Resultant of all
forces acting on a
particle is zero.

Equilibrium

EQUILIBRIUM OF A PARTICLE, THE FREE-BODY

DIAGRAM & COPLANAR FORCE SYSTEMS

Equilibrium
If an object is in equilibrium, then the resultant force acting on an object
equals zero. This is expressed as follows:

FR F 0

(vector equation)

Some problems can be analyzed using only 2D, while others

require 3D.
Equations for 2D Equilibrium:
If a problem is analyzed using
2D, then the vector equation
above can be expressed as:
Fx 0 Fy 0

(2D scalar equations)

Equations for 3D Equilibrium:

If a problem is analyzed using 3D,
then the vector equation above can
be expressed as:

(3D scalar equations)

2D Equilibrium Applications

Since the forces involved in supporting the spool lie in a plane, this is
essentially a 2D equilibrium problem. How would you find the forces in
cables AB and AC?

2D Equilibrium Applications

For a given force exerted on the boats towing pendant, what are
the forces in the bridle cables? What size of cable must you use?
This is again a 2D problem since the forces in cables AB, BC, and
BD all lie in the same plane.

3D Equilibrium Applications
The crane is lifting a load.

To decide if
the straps holding the load to the crane
hook will fail, you need to know the force
in the straps. How could you find the
forces?

Straps

This is a 3D problem since the forces do

not lie in a single plane.

3D Equilibrium Applications

This shear leg derrick

is to be designed to lift
a maximum of 200 kg
of fish.
Finding the forces in
the cable and derrick
legs is a 3D problem.

Coplanar Force Systems (2D Equilibrium)

- (Section 3.3)
This is an example of a 2-D or
coplanar force system.
If the whole assembly is in
equilibrium, then particle A is
also in equilibrium.
To determine the tensions in
the cables for a given weight
of the cylinder, you need to
learn how to draw a free
body diagram and apply the
equations of equilibrium.

FREE BODY DIAGRAM

(FBD)
Free Body Diagrams are an important part of a course in Statics as
well as other courses in mechanics (Dynamics, Mechanics of
Materials, Fluid Mechanics, etc.,)

Free Body Diagram - A drawing that

shows all external forces acting on the
particle.
Why? - It is key to being able to write
the equations of equilibriumwhich are
used to solve for the unknowns (usually
forces or angles).

Procedure for drawing a Free Body Diagram

(FBD)
1. Imagine the particle to be isolated or cut free from its
surroundings.
2. Show all the forces that act on the particle.
Active forces: They want to move the particle.
Reactive forces: They tend to resist the motion.
3. Identify each force and show all known magnitudes and
directions. Show all unknown magnitudes and / or directions
as variables .
y
FBD at A

FD A

Area to be cut
or isolated
Note : Cylinder mass = 40 Kg

FB
A

30

FC = 392.4 N (What is this?)

EQUATIONS OF 2-D
EQUILIBRIUM
FBD at A

FD A

FB
30
x

A
FC = 392.4 N

Since particle A is in equilibrium, the

net force at A is zero.
So FB + FC + FD = 0
or F = 0

FBD at A

In general, for a particle in equilibrium,

F = 0 or
Fx i + Fy j = 0 = 0 i + 0 j

(a vector equation)

Or, written in a scalar form,

Fx = 0 and Fy = 0
These are two scalar equations of equilibrium.
They can be used to solve for up to two unknowns.

EXAMPLE
FBD at
A
FD A

30

FB
x

FC = 392.4 N
Note : Cylinder mass = 40 Kg

Equations of equilibrium:
Fx = FB cos 30 FD = 0
Fy = FB sin 30 392.4 N = 0
Solving the second equation gives: FB = 785 N
From the first equation, we get: FD = 680 N

Example: Solve for the tensions in

cables AB and AC.
Steps: 1) Draw the FBD (at what point?)
2) Write and solve the 2D equations of
equilibrium

EXAMPLE: Solve for the forces in cables CD, BC,

and AB and the weight in cylinder F. Discuss the
approach. Include all necessary FBDs.

Pulleys
Ideal pulleys simply change the direction of a force.
The tension on each side of an ideal pulley is the same.
The tension is the same everywhere in a given rope or cable if ideal
pulleys are used.
In a later chapter non-ideal pulleys are introduced (belt friction and
bearing friction).

50 lb

Horizontal
force

Vertical
force
50 lb

T1
T2
T2

For a frictionless pulley:

T1 = T 2

Example - Determine the tension T required to support

the 100 lb block shown below.

Example: Determine the force P needed to support the

100-lb weight. Each pulley has a weight of 10 lb.
Also, what are the cord reactions at A and B?

Example: A 350-lb load is supported by the

rope-and-pulley arrangement shown.
Knowing that = 35, determine the angle
and the force P.

SPRINGS
Springs can be used to apply
forces of tension (spring pulling)
or compression (spring pushing).

Lo
s

Hookes Law:
Spring Force = (spring constant)(deformation)
F = ks
or
F = k|L Lo|

Example: A 20 lb weight
is added to a spring as
shown. Determine the
spring constant, k.

12
16

20 lb

Example: Determine the mass of each cylinder if they cause a sag of s =

0.5 m when suspended from the rings at A and B. Note that s = 0 when
the cylinders are removed.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL FORCE SYSTEMS

Recall that with 3D problems we will use three equations of equilibrium.

Also recall from the last chapter that

3D forces may be specified in different
ways, including:
1) With coordinate direction angles
(, , and ),
2)With angles of projection onto a
plane,
3)With distances. When distances are
specified, we typically express the
force in Cartesian vector form using
position vectors as follows:

Example 3D
Equilibrium
Given: A 600 N load is supported
by three cords with the
geometry as shown.
Find: The tension in cords AB,
AC and AD.
Plan:
1) Draw a free body diagram of Point A. Let the unknown force
magnitudes be FB, FC, FD .
2) Represent each force in the Cartesian vector form.
3) Apply equilibrium equations to solve for the three unknowns.

EXAMPLE
(continued)

FBD at A
FD

FC

2m
1m

2m

30

y
FB

x
600 N

FB = FB (sin 30 i + cos 30 j) N
= {0.5 FB i + 0.866 FB j} N
FC = FC i N
FD = FD (rAD /rAD)
= FD { (1 i 2 j + 2 k) / (12 + 22 + 22) } N
= { 0.333 FD i 0.667 FD j + 0.667 FD k } N

EXAMPLE
(continued)
Now equate the respective i , j , k
components to zero.
Fx = 0.5 FB FC + 0.333 FD = 0
Fy = 0.866 FB 0.667 FD = 0

FBD at A
FD

1m

y
2m

FB = 693 N

30

FB

Solving the three simultaneous equations yields

FD = 900 N

FC

2m

Fz = 0.667 FD 600 = 0

FC = 646 N

600 N

Example 3D
Equilibrium
A 3500 lb motor and plate are supported by three
cables and d = 2 ft. Find the magnitude of the
tension in each of the cables.

Example 3D
Equilibrium
Three cables are used to tether a balloon as shown.
Determine the vertical force P exerted by the balloon
at A knowing that the tension in cable AB is 60 lb.