CONTENTS

• 1ST CONDITION FOR EQUILIBRIUM

• 2ND CONDITION FOR EQUILIBRIUM
• COUPLE
• CENTER OF GRAVITY
• CENTER OF MASS
• CENTROID OF A COMPOSITE FIGURE
EQUILIBRIUM

• THERE IS NO CHANGE IN THE STATE OF MOTION OF A BODY

• THE BODY IS AT REST (STATIC EQUILIBRIUM)
• THE BODY IS MOVING WITH UNIFORM VELOCITY IN A STRAIGHT LINE
(TRANSLATIONAL OR DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM)
GENERAL CONDITIONS OF EQUILIBRIUM
FOR RIGID BODIES
1. THE VECTOR SUM OF ALL FORCES ACTING ON A BODY MUST BE ZERO:
σ𝐹 = 0
• σ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 AND σ 𝐹𝑦 = 0
• FORCES MUST FORM A CLOSED POLYGON

2. THE ALGEBRAIC SUM OF ALL TORQUES OR MOMENTS ABOUT ANY AXIS

(WITHIN OR OUTSIDE THE BODY) MUST BE ZERO: σ 𝜏 = 0
1ST CONDITION FOR EQUILIBRIUM
CASE I. A BLOCK PULLED DIRECTLY IN OPPOSITE
DIRECTIONS
𝑭𝟐 𝑭𝟏

• APPLY THE FIRST CONDITION:

෍𝐹 = 0

𝐹1 − 𝐹2 = 0
𝐹1 = 𝐹2
1ST CONDITION FOR EQUILIBRIUM
Case II. A block pulled
by inclined forces:
 Resolve the forces into
components and apply the
first condition
෍ 𝐹𝑥 = 0

Image source:
෍ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 http://problemsphysics.com/forces/fr
ee_body_diagram_forces.html
𝜃 𝜃
OPERATIONAL TERMS
• FORCE (F)
• A PUSH OR PULL UPON AN OBJECT
• ANY INTERACTION THAT, WHEN UNOPPOSED, WILL CHANGE THE
MOTION OF AN OBJECT

• WEIGHT (W)
• THE FORCE WITH WHICH GRAVITY PULLS AN OBJECT DOWNWARDS
• TENSION (T)
• THE FORCE WITH WHICH A STRING PULLS AN OBJECT TO WHICH IT
IS ATTACHED

Image source:
http://problemsphysics.c
om/forces/free_body_dia
gram_forces.html
METHOD FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS ON
CONCURRENT FORCES
1. ISOLATE THE OBJECT
2. MAKE A FREE-BODY DIAGRAM (FBD) THAT SHOWS ALL THE FORCES ACTING
ON THE OBJECT
3. FIND THE RECTANGULAR COMPONENTS OF EACH FORCE
4. WRITE THE FIRST CONDITION FOR EQUILIBRIUM IN EQUATION FORM
5. SOLVE FOR THE REQUIRED QUANTITIES
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1:
HANGING BAG OF SUGAR
• A BAG OF SUGAR WEIGHING 50 N IS SUSPENDED BY TWO WIRES. FIND THE
TENSION IN THE WIRES
a. IF EACH WIRE MAKES AN ANGLE OF 20º WITH THE HORIZONTAL
b. IF ONE WIRE MAKES AN ANGLE OF 30º AND THE OTHER IS 50º WITH THE
HORIZONTAL

SOLVE BY TRIANGLE AND COMPONENT METHODS.

 Practice Problem 1:
Bag of Sugar

A bag of sugar weighing 50 N is suspended by

two wires. Find the tension in the wires
a. if each wire makes an angle of 20º with the
horizontal
b. if one wire makes an angle of 30º and the
other is 50º with the horizontal
Solve by triangle and component methods.
 Practice Problem 1: Solution (a1)
• By Triangle Method:
20° 20°
𝛼 = 90° − 20° = 70°
𝛽 = 90° − 20° = 70°
50 N
• Using Sine Law:
50 𝑇1 𝑇2
= =
𝑇2 sin(20° + 20°) sin(𝛼) sin(𝛽)
𝛼
20° 50 sin(70°)
50 N 𝑇1 = = 73.10 N
sin(40°)
𝛽 𝑇1 50 sin(70°)
20° 𝑇2 = = 73.10 N
sin(40°)
 −𝑊𝑦
Practice Problem 1: Solution (a2)
𝑊 = 50 N
• By Component Method:
𝑇1 • At Equilibrium: σ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 and σ 𝐹𝑦 = 0
𝑇1𝑦
20°
𝑇1𝑥 ෍ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 + 𝑇1 cos 20° − 𝑇2 cos 20° = 0
𝑇2
𝑇2𝑦 𝑇1 cos 20° = 𝑇2 cos 20° ∴ 𝑇1 = 𝑇2
20°
−𝑇2𝑥
෍ 𝐹𝑦 = −50 + 𝑇1 sin 20° + 𝑇2 sin 20° = 0

Forces 𝑭𝒙 𝑭𝐲 𝑇1 sin 20° + 𝑇1 sin 20° = 50

𝑊 0 −50 N 2(𝑇1 sin 20°) = 50
𝑇1 𝑇1 cos 20° 𝑇1 sin 20° 50
𝑇1 = = 73.10 N
𝑇2 −𝑇2 cos 20° 𝑇2 sin 20° 2 sin 20°
𝑇2 = 𝑇1 = 73.10 N
෍𝑭 0 0
 Practice Problem 1: Solution (b1)
• By Triangle Method:
50° 30°
𝛼 = 90° − 50° = 40°
𝛽 = 90° − 30° = 60°
50 N
• Using Sine Law:
50 𝑇1 𝑇2
= =
𝑇2 sin(50° + 30°) sin(𝛼) sin(𝛽)
𝛼
50 sin(40°)
50 N 𝑇1 = = 32.64 N
50° sin(80°)
𝛽 𝑇1 50 sin(60°)
30° 𝑇2 = = 43.97 N
sin(80°)
 −𝑊𝑦
Practice Problem 1: Solution (b2)
𝑊 = 50 N
• By Component Method:
𝑇1 • At Equilibrium: σ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 and σ 𝐹𝑦 = 0
𝑇1𝑦
30°
෍ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 + 𝑇1 cos 30° − 𝑇2 cos 50° = 0
𝑇1𝑥
cos 50°
𝑇2 𝑇1 cos 30° = 𝑇2 cos 50° ∴ 𝑇1 = 𝑇2
𝑇2𝑦 cos 30°
50°
−𝑇2𝑥 ෍ 𝐹𝑦 = −50 + 𝑇1 sin 30° + 𝑇2 sin 50° = 0

cos 50°
𝑇2 sin 30° + 𝑇2 sin 50° = 50
Forces 𝑭𝒙 𝑭𝐲 cos 30°

𝑊 0 −50 N cos 50°

𝑇2 ∙ sin 30° + sin 50° = 50
cos 30°
𝑇1 𝑇1 cos 30° 𝑇1 sin 30°
50 cos 30°
𝑇2 −𝑇2 cos 50° 𝑇2 sin 50° 𝑇2 = = 43.97 N
cos 50° sin 30° + sin 50° cos 30°
cos 50°
෍𝑭 0 0 𝑇1 = (43.97) = 32.64 N
cos 30°
End 10-14-2024
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2:
HANGING BLOCK
A BLOCK OF WEIGHT 𝑊 IS SUSPENDED FROM A ROPE TIED TO TWO OTHER
ROPES AT POINT 𝑂. ONE ROPE IS HORIZONTALLY ATTACHED TO A WALL AND THE
OTHER IS FASTENED TO THE CEILING. THE ANGLE BETWEEN CEILING AND THE
ROPE IS 60°. ASSUME THE WEIGHTS OF THE ROPES AND THE KNOT ARE
NEGLIGIBLE. IF THE WEIGHT OF THE BLOCK IS 100 N, WHAT IS THE TENSION IN
THE CEILING ROPE?
SOLVE USING TRIANGLE & COMPONENT METHODS.
HANGING BLOCK PROBLEM

Image source: https://sciencenotes.org/equilibrium-example-

problem-physics-homework-example/
 Practice Problem 2: Solution 1
60° • By Triangle Method:
𝛽 = 90° − 60° = 30°
• Using Sine Law:
𝑊 𝑇2
𝑊 = 100 N =
sin(60°) sin(𝛽)
𝑇2 100 sin(30°)
𝑇2 = = 57.74 N
60° sin(60°)
• Using Pythagorean Theorem:
𝑇1 2 = 𝑇2 2 + 𝑊 2
𝑊 𝑇1
𝑇1 2 = (57.74)2 +(100)2
𝛽
𝑇1 = (57.74)2 +(100)2 = 115.47 N
 −𝑊𝑦
Practice Problem 2: Solution 2
𝑊 = 100 N

60° • By Component Method:

𝑇1
𝑇1𝑦 • At Equilibrium: σ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 and σ 𝐹𝑦 = 0
60°
𝑇1𝑥 ෍ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 + 𝑇1 cos 60° − 𝑇2 = 0

−𝑇2 𝑇1 cos 60° = 𝑇2

෍ 𝐹𝑦 = −100 + 𝑇1 sin 60° + 0 = 0

Forces 𝑭𝒙 𝑭𝐲
𝑊 0 −100 N 𝑇1 sin 60° = 100
𝑇1 𝑇1 cos 60° 𝑇1 sin 60° 100
𝑇2 −𝑇2 0 𝑇1 = = 115.47 N
sin 60°
෍𝑭 0 0 𝑇2 = (115.47) cos 60° = 57.74 N
SAMPLE PROBLEM 3:
BOAT AND CURRENT

• A BOAT CAN TRAVEL A SPEED OF 8 KM/H IN STILL WATER ON A LAKE. IN THE

FLOWING WATER OF A STREAM, IT MOVES RELATIVE TO THE WATER IN THE
STREAM. IF THE STREAM SPEED IS 3 KM/H, HOW FAST WOULD THE BOAT BE
TRAVELLING (A) UPSTREAM? (B) DOWNSTREAM?
SAMPLE PROBLEM 4:
PLANE AND WIND

• A PLANE IS TRAVELLING EASTWARD AT AN AIRSPEED OF 500 KM/H WHILE A

90 KM/H WIND IS BLOWING SOUTHWARD. WHAT ARE DIRECTION AND SPEED
OF THE PLANE (RELATIVE TO THE GROUND)?
2ND CONDITION OF EQUILIBRIUM
TORQUE OR MOMENT (𝜏) 𝜏 = Greek letter ‘tau’
- A MEASURE OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A FORCE IN PRODUCING ROTATION ABOUT
AN AXIS
- DEFINED TO BE THE PRODUCT OF THE FORCE (𝐹) AND LEVER ARM (𝑆⊥)

LEVER ARM OR MOMENT ARM (𝑆⊥ )

- THE PERPENDICULAR DISTANCE OF THE FORCE (𝐹) FROM THE POINT OF ROTATION
(𝑂)
2ND CONDITION OF EQUILIBRIUM
𝜏𝑂 = 𝐹𝑆
WHERE:

𝑂 = POINT OF ROTATION; PIVOT POINT

𝜏𝑂 = TORQUE ABOUT AXIS 𝑂 (SI UNIT IS N ∙ M)

𝐹 = FORCE (THAT CAUSES THE ROTATION)

𝑆⊥ = LEVER ARM (PERPENDICULAR DISTANCE)

SIGN CONVENTION:

- POSITIVE (+) IF COUNTER-CLOCKWISE

- NEGATIVE (–) CLOCKWISE

TORQUE IS THE ROTATIONAL EQUIVALENT OF
FORCE. IT HAS BOTH MAGNITUDE AND DIRECTION.
Image source:
https://opente
xtbc.ca/physic
𝑆 = 𝑆⊥ stestbook2/ch
𝑆 = 𝑆⊥ apter/the-
second-
condition-for-
equilibrium/

𝑆 = 𝑆⊥
𝑆⊥ = 𝑆 sin 𝜃
𝐹⊥ = 𝐹 sin 𝜃

𝑆′ = 𝑆′⊥

𝑆⊥ = 0
TORQUE DEPENDS ON THE LOCATION OF THE
POINT OF ROTATION (PIVOT POINT)

𝑆⊥

𝑆⊥
𝐹⊥ = 𝐹 sin 𝜃
𝑆

Image source: https://opentextbc.ca/physicstestbook2/chapter/the-second-condition-for-equilibrium/

SAMPLE PROBLEM 1: • A UNIFORM POLE 200 CM LONG
MAKES AN ANGLE OF 40° WITH
INCLINED POLE THE HORIZONTAL.

• Calculate the torque

about each end of
the pole if a vertical
force of 300 dynes is
applied 30 cm from
the lower end of the
pole.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2:
NON-UNIFORM BAR

• AN 8 N FORCE IS APPLIED AT THE

SMALLER END OF A HORIZONTAL NON-
UNIFORM BAR 3 M LONG. IF THE BAR
IS SUPPORTED AT ITS MIDPOINT BY A
FORCE OF 26 N, FIND THE WEIGHT OF
THE BAR AND ITS CENTER OF
GRAVITY.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 3:
TORQUES ON A SEESAW

• THE TWO CHILDREN ARE BALANCED ON A SEESAW OF NEGLIGIBLE MASS. THE

FIRST CHILD HAS A MASS OF 26.0 KG AND SITS 1.60 M FROM THE PIVOT.
(a) IF THE SECOND CHILD HAS A MASS OF 32.0 KG, HOW FAR IS SHE FROM THE
PIVOT?

(b) WHAT IS 𝐹𝑝 , THE SUPPORTING FORCE EXERTED BY THE PIVOT?

 SEESAW EXAMPLE

Image source: https://opentextbc.ca/physicstestbook2/chapter/the-second-condition-for-

equilibrium/
 Practice Problem 3: Solution (a)
• Let pivot be O (point of rotation)
• 2nd Condition of Equilibrium: σ 𝜏 = 0
where 𝜏 = 𝐹 × 𝑟

෍ 𝜏 = ෍ 𝜏𝑐𝑐 − ෍ 𝜏𝑐𝑤 = 0

1.6 m ෍(𝐹 × 𝑟)𝑐𝑐 = ෍(𝐹 × 𝑟)𝑐𝑤

o
26.0 kg 32.0 kg
𝑊1 𝑟1 = 𝑊2 𝑟2
𝑊1 𝑟1 (𝑚1 g)𝑟1 𝑚1 𝑟1
𝑟2 = = =
𝑊2 (𝑚2 g) 𝑚2
(26.0)(1.6)
𝑟2 = = 1.3 m
(32.0)
 Practice Problem 3: Solution (b)

• 1st Condition of Equilibrium: σ 𝐹 = 0

෍ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝐹𝑝 − 𝑊1 − 𝑊2 = 0

𝐹𝑝 = 𝑊1 + 𝑊2
𝐹𝑝 = 𝑚1 g + 𝑚2 g
𝐹𝑝 = (𝑚1 + 𝑚2 )g
26.0 kg 32.0 kg
𝐹𝑝 = 26.0 + 32.0 9.8
𝐹𝑝 = 568.4 N
SAMPLE PROBLEM 4:
DOOR AND HINGES

• (A) WHEN OPENING A DOOR, YOU PUSH ON IT PERPENDICULARLY WITH A

FORCE OF 55.0 N AT A DISTANCE OF 0.850M FROM THE HINGES. WHAT
TORQUE ARE YOU EXERTING RELATIVE TO THE HINGES? (B) DOES IT MATTER IF
YOU PUSH AT THE SAME HEIGHT AS THE HINGES?
COUPLE
Example of a couple:
Steering wheel in a car
• A COUPLE IS TWO EQUAL FORCES ACTING IN
OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS ON AN OBJECT BUT NOT
THROUGH THE SAME POINT SO THEY PRODUCE A
TURNING EFFECT.
• THE MOMENT (TORQUE) OF A COUPLE IS
CALCULATED BY MULTIPLYING THE SIZE OF ONE OF
THE FORCES (F) BY THE PERPENDICULAR DISTANCE
BETWEEN THE TWO FORCES (S). Image source: http://physicsnet.co.uk/a-
level-physics-as-a2/mechanics/moments/
SAMPLE COUPLE PROBLEM:

A BODY ACTED ON BY A COUPLE CAN

BE KEPT IN EQUILIBRIUM ONLY BY
ANOTHER COUPLE OF THE SAME
MOMENT AND IN OPPOSITE
DIRECTION 16’

• COUPLE 1: 𝐹1 & 𝐹2𝑥

• COUPLE 2: 𝑊 & 𝐹2𝑦
CENTER OF GRAVITY
• EVERY PARTICLE OF MATTER IN A BODY IS ATTRACTED BY THE
EARTH
• THE DIRECTION OF THE FORCE ON EACH PARTICLE IS TOWARDS
THE CENTER OF THE EARTH
• DISTANCE TO THE EARTH’S CENTER IS VERY GREAT, SO FOR
PRACTICAL PURPOSES, THE FORCES CAN BE CONSIDERED
PARALLEL TO ONE ANOTHER

Image source: https://3.files.edl.io/2219/18/12/03/043221-65fcaf4b-a7ab-4aa2-895c-e2dfddfad8da.png

CENTER OF GRAVITY

• WEIGHT (𝑊) IS THE RESULTANT OF ALL FORCES OF ATTRACTION ON A BODY

BY THE EARTH
• CENTER OF GRAVITY (𝐶𝐺) IS THE POINT ON A BODY IN WHICH THE WEIGHT IS
SEEN TO BE CONCENTRATED
DETERMINING THE COORDINATES
(𝑥𝑐 , 𝑦𝑐 ) OF THE CENTER OF GRAVITY
𝑊1 𝑥1 + 𝑊2 𝑥2 + 𝑊3 𝑥3 + ⋯
𝑥𝑐 =
𝑊𝑇

𝑊1 𝑦1 + 𝑊2 𝑦2 + 𝑊3 𝑦3 + ⋯
𝑦𝑐 =
𝑊𝑇

• 𝑥, 𝑦 = COORDINATES
• 𝑊 = WEIGHT
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1:
UNIFORM STICK
• A UNIFORM STICK 50 CM LONG WEIGHING 200 GF IS LOADED WITH TWO
OBJECTS AS FOLLOWS: AN OBJECT WEIGHING 100 GF IS AT THE 15 CM MARK,
AND AN OBJECT WEIGHING 250 GF IS AT THE 40 CM MARK. WHERE IS THE
CG?
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2:
NON-UNIFORM BAR
• A NON-UNIFORM BAR 4 M LONG WEIGHS 150 N. A FULCRUM SUPPORTS IT AT
ITS MIDPOINT AND A LOAD OF 50 N MUST BE APPLIED AT THE SMALL END TO
HOLD IT IN A HORIZONTAL POSITION.
• FIND THE CG.
CENTER OF MASS
• THE POINT ABOUT WHICH THE PRODUCT OF MASS AND MOMENT ARM SUMS UP
TO ZERO
•
𝑚1 𝑥1 + 𝑚2 𝑥2 + 𝑚3 𝑥3 + ⋯
𝑥𝑐 =
𝑚𝑇
𝑚1 𝑦1 + 𝑚2 𝑦2 + 𝑚3 𝑦3 + ⋯
𝑦𝑐 =
𝑚𝑇
• 𝑥, 𝑦 = COORDINATES
• 𝑚 = MASS
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
LETTER H
• A LETTER H HAS THE FOLLOWING
DIMENSIONS: THE TWO VERTICAL SIDES
ARE EACH 2 METERS IN LENGTH AND THE
MIDDLE ARM, ATTACHED 0.75 M FROM
THE TOP, IS 1 M LONG.
• THE LINEAR MASS IS 10 KG PER LINEAR
METER.
• FIND THE CM.
CENTROID OF A COMPOSITE FIGURE
𝐴1 𝑥1 + 𝐴2 𝑥2 + 𝐴3 𝑥3 + ⋯
𝑥𝑐 =
𝐴𝑇

𝐴1 𝑦1 + 𝐴2 𝑦2 + 𝐴3 𝑦3 + ⋯
𝑦𝑐 =
𝐴𝑇

• 𝑥, 𝑦 = COORDINATES
• 𝐴 = AREA
SAMPLE PROBLEM

• FIND THE CENTROID OF THE

COMPOSITE FIGURE
 Practice Problem 4:
Centroid of a Composite Figure

Find the centroid of the composite figure

 Practice Problem 4: Solution
• Consider Figure 1: Triangle
• Centroid (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 )
𝑏 2.0
𝑥1 = = = 1.0
2 2
2
𝑏
(2.0)2 = ℎ2 +
2
ℎ 2
2
𝑏
ℎ= (2.0) − = 3
2
𝑠
ℎ 3
← 2.0 m → 𝑦1 = 𝑟 + 𝑠 + = 1.0 + 2.0 +
2 2
𝑟 𝑦1 ≈ 3.866

• 1 1
Area:𝐴1 = 𝑏ℎ = (2.0)( 3) = 3
2 2
 Practice Problem 4: Solution

• Consider Figure 2: Square

• Centroid (𝑥2 , 𝑦2)
𝑠 2.0
𝑥2 = = = 1.0
ℎ 2 2
𝑠 2.0
𝑦2 = 𝑟 + = 1.0 + = 2.0
2 2
𝑠
← 2.0 m →
• Area: 𝐴2 = 𝑠 2 = (2.0)2 = 4.0

𝑟
 Practice Problem 4: Solution

• Consider Figure 3: Semi-circle

• Centroid (𝑥3 , 𝑦3)
𝑥3 = 𝑟 = 1.0
ℎ 4𝑟 4 1.0
𝑦3 = 1 − =1− ≈ 0.576
3𝜋 3𝜋
𝑠 • Area:𝐴3 = 12 𝜋𝑟2 = 12 𝜋(1.0)2= 𝜋2
← 2.0 m →

𝑟
Practice Problem 4: Solution
• Consider the whole composite figure:
𝐴1 𝑥1 + 𝐴2 𝑥2 + 𝐴3 𝑥3 + ⋯
𝑥𝑐 =
𝐴𝑇
𝜋
( 3)(1.0) + (4.0)(1.0) + (1.0)
𝑥𝑐 = 2
𝜋
3 + 4.0 +
2
𝑥𝑐 = 1.0 m
𝐴1 𝑦1 + 𝐴2 𝑦2 + 𝐴3 𝑦3 + ⋯
𝑦𝑐 =
𝐴𝑇
𝜋
3 3.866 + (4.0)(2.0) + (0.576)
𝑦𝑐 = 2
𝜋
3 + 4.0 +
2
𝑦𝑐 = 2.14 m
• Final Answer: Centroid 𝑥𝑐 , 𝑦𝑐 = (1.0 m, 2.14 m)
end