ME 121: Engineering Mechanics

ME 121: Engineering Mechanics
Objectives
• Concept of the free-body diagram for a

particle
• Solve particle equilibrium problems using

the equations of equilibrium
Outline
1. Concept of Particle
2. Condition for the Equilibrium of a Particle
3. The Free-Body Diagram
4. Coplanar Force Systems
5. Three-Dimensional Force Systems

Basic Concepts: Particle
 A particle is a body of negligible dimensions.
 In the mathematical sense, a particle is a body

whose dimensions are considered to be near
zero so that we may analyze it as a mass
concentrated at a point (center of mass), i.e. a
particle has a mass but a size that can be
neglected.
Basic Concepts: Particle (contd.)
 For example, size of the earth is insignificant
comparison to size of its orbit, and therefore
earth can be modeled as a particle when
studying its orbital motion.
 When a body is idealized as a particle, the

principles of mechanics reduce to a simplified
form, since the geometry of the body will not
be concerned in the analysis of the problem.
Condition for the Equilibrium of a Particle
• Particle at equilibrium if
- At rest
- Moving at constant velocity
To maintain equilibrium it is essential to satisfy
• Newton’s first law of motion
∑F = 0
where ∑F is the vector sum of all the forces acting on
the particle.
• Above equation not only a necessary equation for

equilibrium, it is also a sufficient condition.
Condition for the Equilibrium of a Particle
• Newton’s second law of motion can be written as
∑F = ma
• When the force fulfill Newton's first law of motion,
ma = 0
a=0
therefore, the particle is moving in constant velocity or

at rest
The Free-Body Diagram
• Best representation of all the unknown forces (∑F) which

acts on a body
• A sketch showing the particle “free” from the
surroundings with all the forces acting on it
• Consider two common connections in this subject –
– Spring
– Cables and Pulleys
Spring
– Linear elastic spring: change in length is directly

proportional to the force acting on it
– spring constant or stiffness k: defines the elasticity of the
spring
– Magnitude of force when spring
is elongated or compressed
 F = ks
Spring (contd.)
Cables and Pulley
– Cables (or cords) are assumed of negligible weight and
cannot stretch
– Tension always acts in the direction of the cable
– Tension force must have a constant magnitude for
equilibrium
– For any angle θ, the cable
is subjected to a constant tension T
Procedure for Drawing a FBD
1. Draw outlined shape

2. Show all the forces
- Active forces: particle in motion
- Reactive forces: constraints that prevent motion

3. Identify each forces
- Known forces with proper magnitude and direction
- Letters used to represent magnitude and directions

Example: 1
The sphere has a mass of 6kg and is supported as
shown. Draw a free-body diagram of the sphere, the cord
CE and the knot at C.
Example: 1 (contd.)
FBD at Sphere
Two forces acting, weight and the
force on cord CE.
Weight of 6kg (9.81m/s2) = 58.9N
Cord CE
Two forces acting: sphere and knot
Newton’s 3rd Law:
FCE is equal but opposite
FCE and FEC pull the cord in tension
For equilibrium, FCE = FEC
Example: 1 (contd.)
FBD at Knot
3 forces acting: cord CBA, cord CE and spring CD
Important to know that the weight of the sphere does not

act directly on the knot but subjected to by the cord CE
Coplanar Systems
• A particle is subjected to coplanar forces in the x-y
plane
• Resolve into i and j components for equilibrium
∑Fx = 0
∑Fy = 0
• Scalar equations of equilibrium
require that the algebraic sum
of the x and y components to
equal to zero
Coplanar Systems: Procedure for Analysis
1. Free-Body Diagram
- Establish the x, y axes
- Label all the unknown and known forces
2. Equations of Equilibrium
- Apply the equations of equilibrium
∑Fx = 0 ∑Fy = 0
Example: 1
Example: 1 (contd.)
Example: 1 (contd.)
Example: 2
Determine the required length of the cord AC so that the
8kg lamp is suspended. The undeformed length of the
spring AB is l’AB = 0.4m, and the spring has a stiffness of
kAB = 300N/m.
Example: 2 (contd.)
FBD at Point A
Three forces acting, force by cable AC, force in spring AB
and weight of the lamp.
If force on cable AB is known, stretch of the spring is
found by F = ks.
+→ ∑Fx = 0; TAB – TAC cos30º = 0
+↑ ∑Fy = 0; TAcsin30º – 78.5N = 0
Solving,
TAC = 157.0kN
TAB = 136.0kN
Example: 2 (contd.)
TAB = kABsAB; 136.0N = 300N/m(sAB)
sAB = 0.453N
For stretched length,
lAB = l’AB+ sAB
lAB = 0.4m + 0.453m
= 0.853m
For horizontal distance BC,

2m = lACcos30° + 0.853m
lAC = 1.32m
Three-Dimensional Force Systems
• For particle equilibrium
∑F = 0
• Resolving into i, j, k components
∑Fxi + ∑Fyj + ∑Fzk = 0

• Three scalar equations representing algebraic sums of
the x, y, z forces
∑Fxi = 0
∑Fyj = 0
∑Fzk = 0
Procedure for Analysis
Free-body Diagram
- Establish the z, y, z axes
- Label all known and unknown force
Equations of Equilibrium
- Apply ∑Fx = 0, ∑Fy = 0 and ∑Fz = 0
- Substitute vectors into ∑F = 0 and set i, j, k
components = 0
- Negative results indicate that the sense of the force is
opposite to that shown in the FBD.
Example:2
Determine the force developed in each cable used to
support the 40kN crate.
A(0, 0, 0), B(-3, -4, 8)ft,

C(-3, 4, 8)ft
Therefore,
rAB= (-3, -4, 8) – (0,0,0)
rAB= (– 3i – 4j + 8k) & rAB  89
rAC= (-3, 4, 8) – (0,0,0)

rAC= (– 3i + 4j + 8k) & rAC  89
Example: 2 (contd.)
FBD at Point A
To expose all three unknown forces in the cables.
Equations of Equilibrium
Expressing each forces in Cartesian vectors,
FB = FB(rAB / rAB)
= – 0.318FBi – 0.424FBj + 0.848FBk
FC = FC (rAC / rAC)
= – 0.318FCi + 0.424FCj + 0.848FCk
FD = FDi
W = – 40k
Example: 2 (contd.)
For equilibrium,
∑F = 0; FB + FC + FD + W = 0
-0.318FBi – 0.424FBj + 0.848FBk - 0.318FCi
– 0.424FCj + 0.848FCk + FDi - 40k = 0
∑Fx = 0; – 0.318FB – 0.318FC + FD = 0

∑Fy = 0; – 0.424FB + 0.424FC = 0
∑Fz = 0; 0.848FB + 0.848FC - 40 = 0
Solving,
FB = FC = 23.6kN
FD = 15.0kN

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ME 121: Engineering Mechanics

• Concept of the free-body diagram for a

• Solve particle equilibrium problems using

2. Condition for the Equilibrium of a Particle

3. The Free-Body Diagram

4. Coplanar Force Systems

5. Three-Dimensional Force Systems

 In the mathematical sense, a particle is a body

 When a body is idealized as a particle, the

• Above equation not only a necessary equation for

• Newton’s second law of motion can be written as

• When the force fulfill Newton's first law of motion,

therefore, the particle is moving in constant velocity or

• Best representation of all the unknown forces (∑F) which

– Linear elastic spring: change in length is directly

1. Draw outlined shape

- Reactive forces: constraints that prevent motion

- Letters used to represent magnitude and directions

Important to know that the weight of the sphere does not

For horizontal distance BC,

• For particle equilibrium

∑Fxi + ∑Fyj + ∑Fzk = 0

A(0, 0, 0), B(-3, -4, 8)ft,

rAC= (-3, 4, 8) – (0,0,0)

∑Fx = 0; – 0.318FB – 0.318FC + FD = 0

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