PROBLEMS ON

EQUILIBRIUM OF
PARTICLES
PROBLEMS

1. Find the angle of tilt q with the horizontal so that the

contact force at B will be one-half that at A for the
smooth cylinder. (3/15)
PROBLEMS q =?, contact force at B will be one-half that at A

tangent NA

NB = 1 N A 45q
tangent 45q 2 45q
45q
45q
45q mg

45q 45q N = 1 N
B A
2
45q 45
45 mg
q
q
NA

q
PROBLEMS q =?, contact force at B will be one-half that at A

y
NA 
NB = 1 N A F = 0
NB = 1 N A 45q 2
1N
2 45q
=1
A
mg 45q
tan( 45 q ) = 2
x NA 2
NA
45 q = 26.57 
q =18.43
mg
or

F =0x

N A sin( 45 q ) = 1 N A cos( 45 q )
2
sin( 45 q )
= tan( 45 q ) = 1
cos( 45 q ) 2
45 q = 26.57   q =18.43
PROBLEMS
2. The 40-kg block rests on the rough surface. Length of
the spring is 180 mm in the position shown. Unstretched
length of the spring is 200 mm. Determine the
coefficient of friction required for the equilibrium.
PROBLEMS m =40-kg, l = 180 mm, l0 = 200 mm, m =?

Fspring

Ff
20°
20°
N W = mg = 40(9.81) = 392.4 N
Fspring = k
Fspring = 2500  N 0.2  0.18m= 50 N
 m 
Fy = 0 N W cos 20 = 0 N = 392.4cos 20 = 368.74 N
Fx = 0 Fspring  Ff W sin 20 = 0 50  Ff  392.4sin 20 = 0
F f 184.21
F f =184.21 N , F f = mN  m = = = 0.5
N 368.74
PROBLEMS

3. ABC is a cable passing

over a frictionless pulley
at B where a force F is
applied. Let h1 = 12 cm and
h2 = 24 cm. The length of
the cable ABC is 50 cm.
Determine the magnitude
and the direction of force
F such that the tension in
the cable is 65 N.
PROBLEMS h1 = 12 cm, h2 = 24 cm. The length of the cable lABC = 50 cm,
TABC = 65 N determine F.

a 2 = x 2 12 2 = 50  x   24 2 x
2
y
x 2 144 = 2500 100 x  x 2  576 12 cm
65 N
100 x = 2068 , x = 20.68 cm
a q x

sin q = 12 = 0.58, q = 35.45
20.68
sin  = 24 = 0.82,  = 54.94
65 N
24 cm
50
 
20.
68
29.32 50-x
F = 0
x

F cos  65cos35.45  65cos54.94 = 0 , F cos = 90.29 , F = 90.29

cos
F y= 0 F sin   65sin 35.45  65sin 54.94 = 0
90.29 sin  =15.51 , tan = 0.17
cos
 = 9.75 , F = 91.61 N
PROBLEMS

4. A 4 kg sphere
rests on the smooth
parabolic surface.
Determine the
normal force it
exerts on the
surface and the
mass mB of block B
needed to hold it in
the equilibrium
position shown.
PROBLEMS m =4 kg, determine the normal force it exerts on the
surface and the mass mB of block B.

dy
tanq = T
dx tangent
y = 2 .5 x 2
60
dy
= tanq = 2( 2.5) x
dx mg q N
tanq = 5(0.4) = 2
q = 63.43
dy
q
dx

F = 0
x
T cos 60  N sin 63.43 = 0 , T =1.79 N

F y =0 T sin 60  N cos 63.43 4(9.81) = 0

1.79 N

, 2 N = 39.24
39.24
N =19.62 N (opposite direction to that shown) T = 35.12 N
PROBLEMS m =4 kg, determine the normal force it exerts on the
surface and the mass mB of block B.

pulley
T1 =T2

T = 35.12 N B

mB g =T = 35.12 N

mB = 35.12 = 3.58 kg
9.81
PROBLEMS

5. The cable and pulley

system shown is used to
hoist a weight W. If cables
AB and AC have breaking
strengths of 900 N and
cable DAE has a breaking
strength of 450 N,
determine the largest
weight W that may be lifted.
PROBLEMS cables AB and AC have breaking strengths of 900 N,
cable DAE has a breaking strength of 450 N, determine
the largest weight W that may be lifted
PROBLEMS
6. The cylinder of
mass 1 kg having a very
A small diameter is held
against a semi-cylinder
r=200 mm with a much larger
B diameter by two
h=120 mm
h identical springs, which
r are fixed to points C
and C on the ground.
The springs are
C
unstretched when at
point A. Knowing that
the small cylinder is in
equilibrium at point B,
what is the spring
C
constant?
PROBLEMS m= 1 kg, springs are unstretched when at point A, small cylinder
is in equilibrium at point B, what is the spring constant?

A
r=200 mm
B
h=120 mm
h r

C

C
PROBLEMS

7. Three cables are

used to hold a balloon
as shown. Knowing that
the balloon exerts an
800 N vertical force at
A, determine the
tension in each cable.
PROBLEMS balloon exerts an 800 N vertical force at A, determine
the tension in each cable
A (0, 5.6, 0) m B (4.2, 0, 0) m C (2.4, 0, 4.2) m D (0, 0,  3.3) m
   
TAB TAC TAD  F = 0
 
   4.2i  5.6 j
TAB = TAB n AB = TAB
7  
  2.4i  5.6 j  4.2k
TAC = TAC n AC = TAC
 7.4  
   5.6 j  3.3k F
TAD = TAD n AD = TAD  
6.5 TAB TAD
 
F = 800 j N

TAC
PROBLEMS balloon exerts an 800 N vertical force at A, determine
the tension in each cable


 4.2 T  2.4 T = 0 F
 Fx = 0 7 AB 7.4 AC  
4.2 T = 2.4 T TAB TAD
AB AC , TAB = 0.54TAC
7 7.4

 Fz = 0 4.2 T  3.3 T = 0
7.4 AC 6.5 AD 
4.2 T = 3.3 T TAC
AC AD , TAD =1.12TAC
7. 4 6.5

 Fy = 0  5.6 TAB  5.6 TAC  5.6 TAD  800 = 0

7 7.4 6.5

5.6 T  5.6 T  5.6 T = 800 , 2.15T = 800

7  AB
7.4 AC 6.5  AD AC
0.54TAC 1.12TAC
TAC = 371.46 N TAB = 200.59 N TAD = 416.04 N
PROBLEMS
8. A small peg P rests on a spring that is contained inside the
smooth pipe. When the spring is compressed so that s = 0.15
m, the spring exerts an upward force of 60 N on the peg.
Determine the point of z
attachment A (x, y, 0) of
cord PA so that the P
tension in cords PB and
PC equals 30 N and 50 N, s
respectively.

B
0.4 m 0.2 m C
0.3 m

y x y
x
A
 TPB = 30 N
PROBLEMS s = 0.15 m, Fspring = 60 N (↑), A (x, y, 0) = ?
TPC = 50 N
P (0, 0, 0.15) m B (0,  0.4, 0) m C (0.3, 0.2, 0) m A ( x, y, 0) m
     
Fspring TPB TPC TPA = 0 , Fspring = 60k N
  z 
   0.4 j  0.15k Fspring
TPB = TPB nPB = 30
 0.427 P
= 28.10 j 10.54k
   s
   0.3i  0.2 j  0.15k 
TPC = TPC nPC = 50  TPC
  0.39  TPB
= 38.46i  25.64 j 19.23k
B
0.2 m
   0.4 m C
  xi  yj  0.15k  0.3 m
TPA = TPAnPA = TPA
x 2  y 2  0.152 TPA y
y x

a x
A
 TPB = 30 N
PROBLEMS s = 0.15 m, Fspring = 60 N (↑), A (x, y, 0) = ?
TPC = 50 N

 Fx = 0  38.46  x TPA = 0
a

, TPAx = 38.46 N
TPAx

 Fy = 0
y
 28.10  25.64  TPA = 0 , TPAy = 2.46 N
a

TPAy

F = 0
z 60 10.54 19.23 0.15 TPA = 0

a 
, TPAz = 30.23 N Fspring
P
TPAz
   
TPA = 38.46i  2.46 j  30.23k N 
 TPC
TPA = 38.46  2.46  30.23 = 48.98
2 2 2
N B TPB
C
from z TPAz =30.23 = 0.15 TPA , a = 0.243
a 
from x TPAx =38.46 = x TPA , x = 0.19 m A
TPA
a
y
from y TPAy = 2.46 = TPA , y = 0.012 m
a
A 0.19, 0.012, 0 m
PROBLEMS
9. Cables AB and
AC can sustain a
maximum tension
of 500 N and
the pole can
sustain a
maximum
compression of
300 N.
Determine the maximum weight of the
lamp that can be supported in the
position shown. The force in the pole
acts along the axis of the pole.
PROBLEMS Cables AB and AC can sustain a maximum tension of 500 N and
the pole can sustain a maximum compression of 300 N.
Determine the maximum weight of the lamp that can be
supported in the position shown.
PROBLEMS

9. The crate weighing 580 N is held on the incline


by the wire AB and by the horizontal force P which
is directed parallel to the z axis. Since the crate is
mounted on casters, the force exerted by the
incline on the y
crate is
1.5 m
perpendicular 3m

to the incline. B E
Determine 
themagnitude 2.2 m
P
of P and the C

tension in A

wire AB. 3m
O
4m

z x
PROBLEMS W = 580 N, force exerted by the incline on crate
 perpendicular
to the incline, determine the magnitude of P and the tension
in wire AB
y
A 3sin 53.13, 33cos53.13, 1.5 m
A 2.4,1.2, 1.5 m , B 0, 5.2, 1.5 m
53.13°

C 0, 3, 0 m , D 4, 0, 0 m , E 0, 3, 1.5 m 3m

xA
 yA A
x
T  y 4m
P 1.5 m 3m

  B E
N W 
     P
 F =W  P  T  N = 0
2.2 m
C
A
 
W = 580
 jN
3m
 O
P =  Pk 4m

z x
PROBLEMS W = 580 N, force exerted by the incline on crate
 perpendicular
to the incline, determine the magnitude of P and the tension
in wire AB 
y n
    N
  rB / A  2.4i  4 j 1.5k 53.13°
T = TnT = T =T 53.13°
rB / A 4.9 3m
A
  x
N = Nn N 4m
 
for nN either T
 
     
rD / C  rE / C = 4i  3 j  1.5k = 6 j  4.5i
  P
 
 4.5i  6 j    
nN = = 0.6i  0.8 j N W
 7 .5     y
or nN = cos53.13i  sin 53.13 j = 0.6i  0.8 j 1.5 m 3m
B E
  
N = N 0.6i  0.8 j   
2.2 m rE / C P
C
 A
3m rD / C
O
4m
D
z x
PROBLEMS W = 580 N, force exerted by the incline on crate
 perpendicular
to the incline, determine the magnitude of P and the tension
 in wire AB
F = 0
 0.6 N  2.4 T i   0.8 N  580  4 T  j    P  1.5 T k = 0
     
 4. 9   4.9   4.9 

i 0.6 N = 2.4 T , N = 2.4 T
4.9 2.94

j 0.8  N  580  4 T , 1.47T = 580 , T = 395 N
2.4
4.9
T
2.94

k P = 1.5 T
4.9
, P =120 N N = 322 N 
y
1.5 m 3m

T B E
 
P  P
2.2 m rE / C
 C
  A
N W 3m rD / C
O
4m
D
z x
PROBLEMS
10. Straight bar AB is fixed in space. Spring CD has a
stiffness of 3 N/mm and its unstretched length is 200
mm. If there is no friction between collar C and bar AB,
determine the
weight W of the
collar that
produces the
equilibrium
condition shown
and the reaction
between the
collar and bar
AB.
PROBLEMS k =3 N/mm, l0=200 mm, neglecting friction determine the
weight W of the collar for equilibrium and the reaction
between the collar and bar AB
PROBLEMS

11. If
WA=WB=1400
N, determine
the force P,
TAB and the
reactions
between the
collars and
bars.
PROBLEMS WA=WB=1400 N, determine the force P, TAB and the reactions
between the collars and bars
PROBLEMS
12. Smooth
collars A, B and
C, each
weighing 360
N, are
connected by
the wires AB
and BC and may
slide freely on
the smooth rod
having the
shape shown.
Determine the
magnitude of
the horizontal

force P which
must be applied to the collar A to maintain equilibrium.
DEFG portion of the rod is parallel to xy-plane.
 FBD of collar A

W
y

NAx Four unknowns

TAB NAy
x
z

FBD of collar C
FBD of collar B y
y

TBA
W
W
TCB

z
TBC x z
x
NCx
NBz Four unknowns NCz
Three unknowns
NBxy
 FBD of collar C
y

W
TCB

z
x
NCx
NCz

   
 F =0


 
TBC  W  N C = 0
  4i  4 j  7 k
F TBC = TBC
9
1.5 m B  
4.5 m xB W = 360 j
  
E N C = N Cx i  N Cz k
6m

4
Fy = 0  TBC  360 = 0
A (0;9;3) 9
1.5 x B
B (2;5;7) = TBC = 810 N
C (6;1;0) 4.5 6
 FBD of collar A

W
y

NAx
TAB NAy
x
z
    


F =0


 
TAB  W  N A  P = 0

TAB = TBA = 360 i  720 j  720 k
 
W = 360 j
  
N A = N Axi  N A y j
 
P =  Pk

F z =0  720  P = 0
P = 720 N
PROBLEMS
13. Smooth collars A and B are connected by the spring. Spring
has a constant of 120 N/cm and its unstretched length is 30 cm.
Determine the magnitude of the force P which must be applied to
the collar A to maintain equilibrium and the reaction between the
collar and bar. Neglect the weight of the collars. Take A (40;0;40)
and B (0;20;80). z

A
20 cm
P 80 cm
40 cm 80 cm
40 cm

30 cm
y
x
 z
FBD of collar A z
Q
Fspring B
z
A
P
NAy q A
NAxz 20 cm
NAxz y P
40 cm 80 cm
80 cm
x x q 40 cm

   
30 cm 30 cm


y
F =0  Fspring  P  N A = 0 x

  
  40 i  20 j  40 k    
Fspring = 120 (60  30 ) AB = (0  40 )i  (20  0) j  (80  40 )k
60
       
Fspring = 2400 i  1200 j  2400 k AB = 40 i  20 j  40 k  AB = 60 cm
 3  4   4  3  
P = Pi  Pk N A = N Axz i  N Axz k  N Ay j
5 5 5 5


3 4
Fx = 0  2400  P  N Axz = 0
5 5
F y =0  1200  N Ay = 0  N Ay = 1200 N Correct sense

F
4 3
z =0  2400  P  N Axz = 0
5 5
N Axz = 387 N P = 3483 .87 N