2.

1a Mechanics
Forces in equilibrium
Mr.Shahin Mustafayev
 Specifications
Lessons Topics

1 to 3 Scalars and vectors

The addition of vectors by calculation or scale drawing. Calculations will be
limited to two perpendicular vectors.
The resolution of vectors into two components at right angles to each other;
examples should include the components of forces along and perpendicular to an
inclined plane.
Conditions for equilibrium for two or three coplanar forces acting at a point;
problems may be solved either by using resolved forces or by using a closed
triangle.
4&5 Moments
Moment of a force about a point defined as
force x perpendicular distance from the point to the line of action of the force;
torque.
Couple of a pair of equal and opposite forces defined as force x perpendicular
distance between the lines of action of the forces.
The principle of moments and its applications in simple balanced situations.
Centre of mass; calculations of the position of the centre of mass of a regular
lamina are not expected.
 Vectors and Scalars
All physical quantities (e.g. speed and force) are
described by a magnitude and a unit.

VECTORS – also need to have their direction specified

examples: displacement, velocity, acceleration, force.

SCALARS – do not have a direction

examples: distance, speed, mass, work, energy.
 Representing Vectors
An arrowed straight Displacement 50m EAST
line is used.

The arrow indicates

the direction and the Displacement 25m at
length of the line is 45o North of East

proportional to the
magnitude.
 Addition of vectors 1
4N 4N
6N 6N
object object
resultant = 10N
object

The original vectors are called COMPONENT vectors.

The final overall vector is called the RESULTANT vector.

4N 6N 6N 4N
object object

resultant = 2N
object
 Addition of vectors 2
With two vectors acting at an 4N
angle to each other:
Draw the first vector. 3N
Draw the second vector with its
tail end on the arrow of the first
vector. 4N

The resultant vector is the line

drawn from the tail of the first 3N
vector to the arrow end of the Resultant vector
second vector. = 5N
This method also works with
three or more vectors.
 Question
Scale drawing:
By scale drawing and calculation
find the resultant force acting on 6N
an object in the situation below. θ
You should also determine the
direction of this force.
4N ΣF

6N
Calculation:
4N Pythagoras:
ΣF2 = 62 + 42 = 36 + 16 = 52
ΣF2 = 52
ΣF = 7.21 N
tan θ = 4 / 6 = 0.6667
θ = 33.7o
The resultant force is 7.21 N to
the left 33.7 degrees below the
horizontal (bearing 236.3o)
 The parallelogram of vectors
This is another way of adding up two vectors.
To add TWO vectors draw both of them with their tail ends
connected. Complete the parallelogram made using the two
vectors as two of the sides. The resultant vector is represented by
the diagonal drawn from the two tail ends of the component
vectors.

Example: Calculate the total force on an object if it experiences a force

of 4N upwards and a 3N force to the right.

Resultant force = 5 N
4N up Angle θ = 53.1o

3N right
 Resolution of vectors
It is often convenient to split a single vector A B
into two perpendicular components.

FV
Consider force F being split into vertical and F
horizontal components, FV and FH.

θ FH
In rectangle ABCD opposite:
D C
sin θ = BC / DB = DA / DB = FV / F
Therefore: FV = F sin θ FV = F sin θ
FH = F cos θ
cos θ = DC / DB = FH / F
The ‘cos’ component is always
Therefore: FH = F cos θ
the one next to the angle.
 Question
Calculate the vertical and
horizontal components if F = 4N
and θ = 35o. FV
F

FV = F sin θ
= 4 x sin 35o θ FH
= 4 x 0.5736
FV = 2.29 N

FH = F cos θ
= 4 x cos 35o
= 4 x 0.8192
FH = 3.28 N
 Inclined planes
Components need not be vertical and horizontal.
In the example opposite the weight of the block W
has components parallel, F1 and perpendicular F2
to the inclined plane . F1

Calculate these components if the block’s weight is

250N and the angle of the plane 20o. θ = 20o
F2 is the component next to the angle and is
therefore the cosine component. θ
F2
F2 = W cos θ W = 250N
= 250 x cos 20o = 250 x 0.9397
F2 = component perpendicular to the plane
= 235 N

F1 = W sin θ
= 250 x sin 20o = 250 x 0.3420
F1 = component parallel to the plane
= 85.5 N
 The moment of a force
Also known as the turning effect of a force.

The moment of a force about any point is

defined as:
force x perpendicular distance
from the turning point to the
line of action of the force

moment = F x d

Unit: newton-metre (Nm) Force F exerting an

ANTICLOCKWISE
Moments can be either CLOCKWISE or moment through the
ANTICLOCKWISE spanner on the nut
 Question
Calculate the moments of the 25N 25N
and 40N forces on the door in the
diagram opposite.
40N
moment = F x d
For the 25N force: door 1.2 m
moment = 25N x 1.2m 0.
70
= 30 Nm CLOCKWISE m

For the 40N force:

moment = 40N x 0.70m hinge
= 28 Nm ANTICLOCKWISE
 Couples and Torque
A couple is a pair of equal
and opposite forces acting
on a body, but not along
the same line.

In the diagram above:

total moment of couple = F x + F(d - x) = F d
= One of the forces x the distance between the forces

Torque is another name for the total moment of a couple.

 The principle of moments
When an object is in equilibrium (e.g. balanced):

the sum of the = the sum of the

anticlockwise moments clockwise moments

If the ruler above is in equilibrium:

W1 d1 = W2 d2
Complete for a ruler in equilibrium:
W1 d1 W2 d2
5N 20 cm 10 N 10 cm
4N 15 cm 6N 10 cm
6N 12 cm
12 cm 2N 36 cm
88 N
N 25 cm 2N 100 cm
 Centre of mass
The centre of mass of a body
is the point through which a
single force on the body has
no turning effect.
The centre of mass is also the place through which all
the weight of a body can be considered to act.
The ‘single force’ in the definition could be a
supporting contact force. e.g. from a finger below a
metre ruler.
The diagram opposite shows the method for finding
the centre of mass of a piece of card.
 Question

Calculate the weight Applying the principle of moments:

of the beam, W0 if it is
W1 d1 = W 0 d0
in equilibrium when:
W1 = 6N; 6N x 12 cm = W0 x 36 cm
d1 = 12 cm;
d0 = 36 cm. W0 = 72 / 36
W0 the weight of the beam = 2N
 Equilibrium
When a body is in equilibrium it will
EITHER be at rest
OR move with a constant linear and rotational
velocity.

Conditions required for equilibrium:

1. The resultant force acting on the body
must be zero.
2. The principle of moments must apply
about any point on the body.
Equilibrium with three forces
Three forces acting on a body in
equilibrium will form a closed triangle.

S
W

F
Triangle of forces
 Question 1
The rod shown opposite is held
horizontal by two wires. If the 60 cm 120 cm
weight of the rod is 60N calculate T1 T2
the values of the tension forces
in the wires
If the rod is in equilibrium:
1. Resultant force = zero W = 60N
Therefore:
W = T1 + T2 = 60N

2. Principle of moments applies about any point.

Let the point of contact of T1 be the pivot.
total clockwise moments = total anticlockwise moments
60N x 60 cm = T2 x 180 cm
T2 = 3600 / 180
T2 = 20 N
and so T1 = 40 N
 Question 2 T = 100N
The hinged rod shown opposite is held
horizontal by a single wire. Find the force
exerted by the hinge. H
30o
If the rod is in equilibrium then
the three forces acting, W, T & 30 cm 50 cm
H will form a closed triangle.
W = 60N
100N
T =
A
30o By calculation !!!:
Angle A = 60o (angles in a triangle)
θ W = 60N Applying the cosine rule: H 2 = T 2 + W 2 – 2TW cosA
H = 1002 + 602 – 2(100x60) x cos 60o
θ = 10000 + 3600 – (12000 x 0.5) = 7600
H = 87.2 N
Applying the sine rule: H / sin A = W / sin (θ + 30)
87.2 / sin 60 = 60 / sin (θ + 30)
By scale drawing: 87.2 / 0.866 = 60 / sin (θ + 30)
100.7 = 60 / sin (θ + 30)
H = 87 N sin (θ + 30) = 60 / 100.7 = 0.596
θ + 30 = 36.6o
θ = 7o θ = 6.6o
 Internet Links
• Vector Addition - PhET - Learn how to add vectors. Drag vectors onto a graph, change their length and angle, and sum them
together. The magnitude, angle, and components of each vector can be displayed in several formats.
• Representing vectors - eChalk
• Vectors & Scalars- eChalk
• Vector addition - eChalk
• Vector Chains - eChalk
• Fifty-Fifty Game on Vectors & Scalars - by KT - Microsoft WORD
• Vector addition - NTNU
• Vector addition - Explore Science
• Equilibrium of three forces - Fendt
• Components of a vector - Fendt
• See-Saw - Explore Science
• See-saw forces - uses g - NTNU
• Lever - Fendt
• Torque - includes affect of angle - netfirms
• Leaning Ladder - NTNU
• BBC KS3 Bitesize Revision: Moments - includes formula triangle applet
• Centre of mass - Explore Science
• Stability of a block - NTNU
• Blocks and centre of gravity - NTNU
• Why it is easier to hold a rod at its centre of gravity- NTNU .