Lecture notes of Applied Mechanics (CE-141) for 18-EL

Lecture no 2.
Force

COMPILED BY:
E NGR. MU HA MMA D A LI MORIYA NI
B.E (CIVIL E NGINEERING, MUET)

WHAT IS A FORCE?
Simple Definition: A force is a push or pull upon an object

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Lecture notes of Applied Mechanics (CE-141) for 18-EL

PUSH

Pull

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Lecture notes of Applied Mechanics (CE-141) for 18-EL

But the concept of Force is not as simple!

Let me know that do you think of any force ?
If a ball is Lying stationary on the ground ?

But the concept of Force is not as simple!

Let me know that do you think of any force ?
If a ball is Lying stationary on the ground ?

Normal Force(Reaction Force)

Weight due to gravitational Force

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Lecture notes of Applied Mechanics (CE-141) for 18-EL

This means that it is not necessary if there is

no motion that there is no force !!
There has to be a net force or unbalanced
force for a object to move !!

Lets take this example

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Lecture notes of Applied Mechanics (CE-141) for 18-EL

So again

Air Resistance

Lets take a frictionless surface and no air

resistance (Ideal case)

Normal Force(Reaction Force)

Weight due to gravitational Force

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Lecture notes of Applied Mechanics (CE-141) for 18-EL

Let’s see this case

WHAT IS A FORCE?

Formal Definition: A Force can also be defined as an agent which

produces or tends to produce, destroys or tends to destroy
motion in an object.

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Lecture notes of Applied Mechanics (CE-141) for 18-EL

CHARACTERISTICS OF A FORCE

1. Magnitude of the force

◦ (i.e., 100 N, 20 kN, 3 kips, etc.)

2. The direction of the line, along which the force acts

◦ (i.e., along OX, OY, at 30° North of East etc.)

3. Nature of the force

◦ (i.e., whether the force is push or pull)

4. The point of application of Force

◦ (i.e. the point at which (or through which) the force acts on the body)

CHARACTERISTICS OF A FORCE
Direction
60O

Point of
F = 20 N
Application
Magnitude

Push
Force

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Lecture notes of Applied Mechanics (CE-141) for 18-EL

Effects of Forces
A force may produce the following effects in a body, on which it acts :
1. It may change the motion of a body. i.e. if a body is at rest, the force may set it
in motion.
And if the body is already in motion, the force may accelerate it.(Change the
motion)
2. It may retard the motion of a body.(Change the motion)
3. It may retard the forces, already acting on a body, thus bringing it to rest or in
equilibrium.
4. Change the direction of motion
5. It may give rise to the internal stresses in the body, on which it acts.

SYSTEM OF FORCES

When two or more forces act on a body, they are called to form a
system of forces
◦ Coplanar forces. The forces, whose lines of action lie on the same
plane, are known as coplanar forces.

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Lecture notes of Applied Mechanics (CE-141) for 18-EL

SYSTEM OF FORCES

When two or more forces act on a body, they are called to form a
system of forces
◦ Collinear forces. The forces, whose lines of action lie on the
same line, are known as collinear forces.

SYSTEM OF FORCES

When two or more forces act on a body, they are called to form a
system of forces
◦ Concurrent forces. The forces, which meet at one point, are
known as concurrent forces. The concurrent forces may or may
not be collinear.

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Lecture notes of Applied Mechanics (CE-141) for 18-EL

SYSTEM OF FORCES

◦ Coplanar concurrent forces. The forces, which meet at one point

and their lines of action also lie on the same plane, are known as
coplanar concurrent forces.
◦ Coplanar non-concurrent forces. The forces, which do not meet at
one point, but their lines of action lie on the same plane, are known
as coplanar non-concurrent forces.
◦ Non-coplanar concurrent forces. The forces, which meet at one
point, but their lines of action do not lie on the same plane, are
known as non-coplanar concurrent forces.
◦ Non-coplanar non-concurrent forces. The forces, which do not
meet at one point and their lines of action do not lie on the same
plane, are called non-coplanar non-concurrent forces.

Lets do an exercise

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Lecture notes of Applied Mechanics (CE-141) for 18-EL

The solution !

Home assignment
1. Read page number 13, 14 and 15 of R.S Khurmi.
2. Find the practical examples of different system of forces.

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Lecture notes of Applied Mechanics (CE-141) for 18-EL

Do it now;
because tomorrow will never come

Thank you !!

Compiled by: Engr. Muhammad Ali Moriyani 12