CHP # 3 Equilibrium of A Particle

Engineering Mechanics
Chapter #3
Equilibrium of a Particle
Condition for the Equilibrium
of a Particle
 A particle is said to be in equilibrium if it remains at rest if

originally at rest, or has a constant velocity if originally in
motion.
 To maintain equilibrium, it is necessary to satisfy Newton’s
first law of motion, which requires the resultant force acting
on a particle to be equal to zero. This condition is stated by
the equation of equilibrium,
The Free-Body Diagram
 To apply the equation of equilibrium, we must account for all
the known and unknown forces (F) which act on the particle.
 For this purpose we make a diagram which shows all the
forces acting on a body called a “free body diagram”.
 Springs: If a linearly elastic spring (or cord) of
undeformed length l0 is used to support a particle, the length
of the spring will change in direct proportion to the force F
acting on it. A characteristic that defines the
“elasticity” of a spring is the spring constant
or stiffness k.
 Cables and Pulleys: All cables (or cords) will be assumed
to have negligible weight and they cannot stretch.
 Also, a cable can support only a tension or “pulling” force, and
this force always acts in the direction of the cable.
 It will be shown that the tension force developed in a
continuous cable which passes over a frictionless pulley must
have a constant magnitude to keep the cable
in equilibrium.
 Hence, for any angle u, the cable is subjected
to a constant tensionT throughout its length.
 Smooth Contact: If an object rests on a smooth surface, then
the surface will exert a force on the object that is normal to
the surface at the point of contact.
 In addition to this normal force N, the cylinder is also
subjected to its weight W and the force T of the cord.
 Since these three forces are concurrent at the center of the
cylinder, we can apply the equation of equilibrium to this
“particle,” which is the same as applying it to the cylinder.
Coplanar Force Systems
 If a particle is subjected to a system of coplanar forces that lie
in the x–y plane, then each force can be resolved into its i and
j components.
 For equilibrium, these forces must sum to
produce a zero force resultant, i.e.
 For this vector equation to be satisfied, the

resultant force’s x and y components must both be equal to
zero. Hence,
Coplanar Force Systems
 We must account for the sense of direction of any component by
using an algebraic sign which corresponds to the arrowhead
direction of the component along the x or y axis.
 For example, consider the free-body diagram of the particle

subjected to the two forces. Here it is assumed that the unknown
force F acts to the right, that is, in the positive x direction, to
maintain equilibrium. Applying the equation of equilibrium along
the x axis, we have
 When this equation is solved, F = -10 N. Here the negative sign

indicates that F must act to the left to hold the particle in
equilibrium
EXAMPLE 3-2
 Determine the tension in cables BA and BC necessary to
support the 60-kg cylinder in Fig. 3–6a.
EXAMPLE 3-3
 The 200-kg crate in Fig. 3–7a is suspended using the ropes AB
and AC. Each rope can withstand a maximum force of 10 kN
before it breaks. If AB always remains horizontal, determine
the smallest angle u to which the crate can be suspended
before one of the ropes breaks.
EXAMPLE 3-4
 Determine the required length of cord AC in Fig so that the
8-kg lamp can be suspended in the position shown. The
undeformed length of spring AB is lAB = 0.4 m, and the spring
has a stiffness of kAB = 300 N/m.
EXAMPLE 3-5
 A 90-lb load is suspended from the hook shown in Fig. If the
load is supported by two cables and a spring having a stiffness
k = 500 lb>ft, determine the force in the cables and the
stretch of the spring for equilibrium. Cable AD lies in the x–y
plane and cable AC lies in the x–z plane.
Position Vectors
 Position vector r is defined as a fixed
vector which locates a point in space
relative to another point. For example,
if r extends from the origin of
coordinates, O, to point P(x, y, z), Fig.
then r can be expressed in Cartesian
vector form as
Position Vectors
 Solving for r and expressing rA and rB in Cartesian vector
form yields
Force Vector Directed Along a Line
 the direction of a force is specified by two points through
which its line of action passes. Such a situation is
shown in Fig. 2–36, where the force F is directed
along the cord AB. We can formulate F as a
Cartesian vector by realizing that it has the
same direction and sense as the position vector
r directed from point A to point B on the
cord. This common direction is specified
by the unit vector u = r>r. Hence
EXAMPLE
 The man shown in Fig. pulls on the cord with a force of 70 lb.
Represent this force acting on the support A as a Cartesian
vector and determine its direction
EXAMPLE
 The roof is supported by cables as shown in the photo. If the
cables exert forces FAB = 100 N and FAC = 120 N on the wall
hook at A as shown in Fig. determine the resultant force
acting at A. Express the result as a Cartesian vector.
EXAMPLE 3-7
 Determine the force in each cable used to support the 40-lb
crate shown in Fig.

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Engineering Mechanics

 A particle is said to be in equilibrium if it remains at rest if

 For this vector equation to be satisfied, the

 For example, consider the free-body diagram of the particle

 When this equation is solved, F = -10 N. Here the negative sign

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