Only concurrent forces can act on a particle.

The shape and dimensions of the particle are neglected and its whole

mass is assumed to be concentrated at

a single point, its mass center.

Equilibrium is an unchanging stable

condition. All the bodies that are at rest are in equilibrium.

The bodies which move along a straight path with constant speed can also be in equilibrium. Such bodies are said to be in steady translation. Most often, equilibrium, or more specifically

static equilibrium is used to describe an

object at rest.

To maintain equilibrium, it is necessary to satisfy Newtons first law, which requires the resultant force acting on a particle to be equal to zero. This condition may be stated mathematically as

where F is the vector sum of all the forces acting on

the particle. This equation is not only a necessary
condition for equilibrium; it is also a sufficient

F 0

condition.

To apply the equation of equilibrium, we must account for all the known and unknown forces

which act on the particle. The best way to do this is to draw the particles
Free Body Diagram (FBD). This diagram is

simply a sketch which shows the particle free

from its surroundings with all the forces that act on it.

Procedure for Drawing a Free Body Diagram:

1) Draw Outlined Shape Imagine the particle to be isolated or cut free from

its surroundings by drawing its outlined shape. A

simplified but accurate drawing is sufficient.

Particles will be drawn as unique points comprised

of the mass center of the particle.

2) Set up the Reference System If not indicated, set up

a reference system in accordance with the geometry of

the problem.
3) Indicate Forces On the sketch, indicate all the forces on the particle. These forces can be active forces, which tend to set the particle in motion, or they can be reactive forces which are the result of the constraints or supports that tend to prevent motion.

4) Label Force Magnitudes The forces that are

known should be labeled with their proper magnitudes

and directions. Letters are used to represent the

magnitudes and directions of forces that are unknown.

5) Employ Equation of Equilibrium Finally, equation of equilibrium must be employed to determine the desired quantities. Care must be given to

the consistency of units used.

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. In this case the
equation of equilibrium,

F Fx i Fy j 0 Fx 0 Fy 0

F 0

Note that both the x and y components must be equal to zero separately. Since there are

only two scalar equations to be used, at most

two unknowns can be determined, which are

generally angles or magnitudes of forces

shown on the particles free body diagram.

Scalar Notation Since each of the two equilibrium equations requires the resolution of vector components along a specified x or y axis, scalar notation can be used to represent the components when

applying these equations.

Forces

can

be

represented

only

by

their

magnitudes. When doing this, the sense of direction (direction of arrowhead) of each force is shown by using + or signs with respect to the axes. If a force has an unknown magnitude, then the arrowhead sense of the force on the free body diagram can be assumed.

Since the magnitude of a force is always positive,

if the solution yields a negative scalar, this

indicates that the sense of the force acts in the

opposite direction to that assumed initially.

Three Dimensional Force Systems

If a particle is under the effect of spatial forces then each force can be resolved into its x, y and z components. In this case,

F Fx i Fy j Fz k 0 Fx 0 Fy 0 Fz 0

F 0

Since there are three scalar equations to be used, at

most three unknowns can be determined.

These may again be angles, dimensions or magnitudes of forces.

In the three dimensional case, the forces must be

represented in vector form.

Some common supports and reactions in two dimensional particle equilibrium problems

F1, F2 and F3 are forces applied to the particle by cables

and/or bars that might

be attached to the
particle.

Rx and Ry are reaction forces.

Some common supports and reactions in three dimensional particle equilibrium problems

F1, F2 and F3 are forces applied to the particle by

cables and/or bars that might be

attached
particle.

to

the

Rx, Ry and Rz are reaction forces.

A block on an incline with spring

Forces on block

Free Body Diagram Fspring=kx Ffriction

W=mg

Cables and Bars

Tension

Tension

Tension

A block and tackle system

Cable Arrangement

FBD FBD
P P

TBC

P
90-b TAC

FAB

FDB

FCB

TAB

TCB W

TCB

TCD TCD W

TDE W

TAC C

TAC

TAB N

Fspring

 F1
(Compression)

F2
(Compression)

TBC TAB