MECHANICAL SCIENCE

ODSE1
LECTURER 2
 CONCEPTS TO BE EXAMINED
• Vector and scalar quantities

• The use of vector diagrams

• The theorem of the triangle of forces

• Resolution of forces into right angle

components
 SCALAR QUANTITIES
A scalar quantity is one that has a magnitude but no
direction. An example of a scalar quantity is mass.
Mass is defined as the quantity of material contained by
a body. This is merely a numerical value and
irrespective of where the mass is position, this value
will not change.
 VECTOR QUANTITIES
Any quantities that has both magnitude and
direction is termed a vector quantity. An example of a
vector quantity is velocity.
Velocity is speed in a given direction and its follows,
therefore, speed is a scalar quantity and velocity is a
vector quantity.
 …CONT’D
Any type of vector quantity may be represented by
drawing a line. A line will have length and position, and
if the length of the line (to scale) represents the
magnitude of the forces and its position represents
the direction of the force, the line can be called the
vector of the force.
 …CONT’D
Example 2.1

A rope is tied to a wall so that it makes an angle of 600 to the

wall. A pull of 40 kgf is then exerted on the wall by the rope.
Show the force by a vector diagram.
 …CONT’D
The first requirement is to construct the space diagram.
This is plan or elevation drawn to provide and accurate layout
of the arrangement (Fig.2.11 )

Fig.2.11
 …CONT’D
From the space diagram the vector diagram may be
constructed. Using the line of the wall as a reference,
a vector is constructed representing the 40 kgf to
scale.
 …CONT’D
The vector shown in Fig.2.12 must be drawn parallel with
the direction rope shown in Fig. 2.11. The length of vector
will be 40 unit, as 1 unit represents 1kgf.

Fig.2.12
 …CONT’D
Using the scale indicated in Fig.2.12 1 unit is 1 mm and so
the vector will be 40 mm, or 4cm in length.

The arrow drawn at the end of the vector indicates the

direction of the force
 …CONT’D
Exercise 2.1

A stay wire is attached to a telephone pole at a height of 8m

above ground level. The other end of the stay wire is
anchored to the ground 4 m from the base of the pole. If the
stay wire is tensioned to 200 kgf, draw a vector diagram
representing the force acting on the pole.
 …CONT’D
Solution ( Exercise 2.1)

Space diagram Vector diagram

 The use of vector diagram
The addition of forces in the same plane
If two forces are acting on the same point they can be
replaced by one force termed a ‘ resultant’ force. To find the
this single force, the two forces are added vectorially, that is ,
they are added taking both their size and the direction into
consideration.
 …CONT’D
Example 2.2

Two forces of 5N and 7.5 N act on the same point as shown by

Fig. 2.13 . Find the single force in the same plane that could
replace both.

Fig.2.13
 …CONT’D
Exercise 2.2
Construct the vector diagram and find the resultant of
the forces shown in Fig. 2.14

Fig. 2.14
 …CONT’D
Exercise 2.3

The direction of action of the force 5 N force in example

2.2 is reversed, as shown in Fig. 2.15. Find the new
value and direction of the resultant force.

Fig. 2.15
 THE THEOREM OF THE TRIANGLE OF FORCES
The theorem of the triangle of forces states that if three forces are

a) In equilibrium

b) Not parallel

c) Acting in the same plane

Then their vector will form a triangle, and the direction of the
vectors will follow around the triangle.
 …CONT’D
Example 2.3

Fig. 2.16
 …CONT’D
Exercise 2.4
Prove that the three bodies shown in Fig. 2.17 are in equilibrium.

Fig. 2.17
 …CONT’D
Exercise 2.5
A ship is being towed at constant speed by two tugs. The
angle made by the tow-ropes with the direction of motion of
the ship are 600 and 300 respectively. The force opposing the
motion of the is 60 kN, acting along the line of its motion.
Determine the graphically the pull in each tow-rope.
(52 kN and 30 kN)
 Resolution of forces into right angle
components
Figure 2.18 shows two force vectors, at right angle to one
another add together to form resultant.

Fig. 2.18
 …CONT’D
If the process is reversed, the resultant vector can be split into
two vector 𝐹𝐴 and 𝐹𝐵 , as shown in figure 2.19

Fig. 2.19
 …CONT’D
Example 2.4

A ship is towed by a tug, the towing cable making an angle of 300

in the horizontal plane with the center-line of the ship. If there is a
50 tonnef (50000 kgf) in the tow cable determine the force acting

a) Along the center-line of the ship

b) At right angle to the center-line

 …CONT’D
Solution (Example 2.4) Graphical method
 …CONT’D
Solution (Example 2.4) calculation method

Resolving Vectors by Trigonometry

 …CONT’D
Exercise 2.6

A shelf is supported at one end by a cord which makes an

angle of 450 with the shelf, as shown by fig .2.31. If the tension
in the cord is 3 kgf. Find the force

a) at right angles to the shelf

b) along the length of the shelf Fig. 2.31

 …CONT’D
Exercise 2.7

A motor boat traveling 5 m/s, East encounters a current traveling 2.5

m/s, North. What is the resultant velocity of the motor boat?

Exercise 2.8

A motor boat traveling 6 m/s, East encounters a current traveling 3.8

m/s, South. What is the resultant velocity of the motor boat?