Lecture 3 - Examples
Lecture 3 - Examples
EXAMPLE 2.2
Resolve the horizontal 600-lb force in Fig. 2–12a into components
acting along the u and v axes and determine the magnitudes of these
components.
2
u
u B
Fu Fu
30 30
30 30 Fv
120 120
30 30 30
A
600 lb 600 lb 600 lb
120
Fv
C
v
v
(a) (b) (c)
Fig. 2–12
SOLUTION
The parallelogram is constructed by extending a line from the head of
the 600-lb force parallel to the v axis until it intersects the u axis at
point B, Fig. 2–12b. The arrow from A to B represents Fu. Similarly, the
line extended from the head of the 600-lb force drawn parallel to the
u axis intersects the v axis at point C, which gives Fv.
The vector addition using the triangle rule is shown in Fig. 2–12c.
The two unknowns are the magnitudes of Fu and Fv. Applying the law
of sines,
Fu 600 lb
=
sin 120 sin 30
Fu = 1039 lb Ans.
Fv 600 lb
=
sin 30 sin 30
Fv = 600 lb Ans.
NOTE: The result for Fu shows that sometimes a component can have
a greater magnitude than the resultant.
2.3 VECTOR ADDITION OF FORCES 25
EXAMPLE 2.3
Determine the magnitude of the component force F in Fig. 2–13a and
the magnitude of the resultant force FR if FR is directed along the
positive y axis.
2
y
y
F 45 45 F
FR FR
200 lb 45
45 75
F 45 30 60
60
30 200 lb 200 lb
30
SOLUTION
The parallelogram law of addition is shown in Fig. 2–13b, and the
triangle rule is shown in Fig. 2–13c. The magnitudes of FR and F are the
two unknowns. They can be determined by applying the law of sines.
F 200 lb
=
sin 60 sin 45
F = 245 lb Ans.
FR 200 lb
=
sin 75 sin 45
FR = 273 lb Ans.
26 CHAP TER 2 FO R C E VE CTO R S
EXAMPLE 2.4
It is required that the resultant force acting on the eyebolt in Fig. 2–14a
be directed along the positive x axis and that F2 have a minimum
magnitude. Determine this magnitude, the angle u, and the corresponding
2 resultant force.
F1 800 N
F1 800 N F2 F1 800 N
F2
60 60 u
60
x x x
FR FR
u u 90
(b) (c)
F2
(a)
Fig. 2–14
SOLUTION
The triangle rule for FR = F1 + F2 is shown in Fig. 2–14b. Since the
magnitudes (lengths) of FR and F2 are not specified, then F2 can actually
be any vector that has its head touching the line of action of FR, Fig. 2–14c.
However, as shown, the magnitude of F2 is a minimum or the shortest
length when its line of action is perpendicular to the line of action of
FR, that is, when
u = 90 Ans.
Since the vector addition now forms the shaded right triangle, the two
unknown magnitudes can be obtained by trigonometry.