I. Practice Problems.

Force and Components

101. The 500 N force F is applied to the fixed

bracket as shown. Determine the magnitudes of
the components of F in a) the x and y directions,
b) the u and v directions, and c) u and y
directions.
Ans. a) Fx = 433.0 N, Fy = 250.0 N
b) Fu = 321.4 N, Fv = 383.0 N
c) Fu = 460.8 N, Fy = 407.6 N

102. A force F = 10 N acts on the bracket of a

structural member to which it is attached.
Calculate the components of P which are normal
and tangent to the line OA.
Ans. Pn = 6.836 N, Pt = 7.298 N

103. A hydraulic cylinder BC exerts a force of 50

kN in the direction of its shaft against the load
that it is hoisting. Determine the components Fn
and Ft normal and tangent to AB for the position
Ɵ = 300.
Ans. Fn = 28.15 kN, Ft = 41.32 kN

104. The boom AB is raised from the position

shown using a cable. The tension T in the cable is
12 kN. Determine a) the horizontal and vertical
components of T and b) the components of T
which are normal and tangent to the boom.
Ans. a) Th = 8.65 kN, Tv = 8.32 kN
b) Tn = 3.33 kN, Tt = 11.53 kN

105. Determine the resultant R (magnitude and

direction) of the two forces shown by a) applying
the parallelogram law and b) summing scalar
components.
Ans. R = 9.165 kN, Ɵ = 70.80
106. The screw eye in figure is subjected to two
forces. Determine the magnitude and direction
of the resultant force by a) parallelogram law and
b) summing scalar components.
Ans. R = 213.0 N, Ɵ = 35.20

107. The boat is to be pulled onto the shore

using two ropes. Determine the magnitude of
the forces T and P acting in each rope in order to
develop an resultant force of 360 N directed
along the keel a-a shown.
Ans. T = 246.2 N, P = 191.6 N

108. Two horses on opposite banks of a canal

pull a barge moving parallel to the banks by
means of two horizontal ropes. The tension in
these ropes are 900 N and 1200 N while the angle
between them is 600. Find the resultant pull on
the barge and the angle between each of the
ropes and the bank.
Ans. R = 1825 N, A=34.70, B=25.30

109. The 20-kN force is to be replaced by two

forces P, directed along the axis a-a, and F, which
has a magnitude of 18 kN. Determine the
magnitude of P and the angle Ɵ which F makes
with the horizontal. Note the two possible
solutions.
Ans. 1) Ɵ = 45.80, P = 14.9 kN
2) Ɵ = 14.20, P = 5.10 kN

110. The two forces which act on the rigid frame

are to be replaced by a single equivalent force R
applied at point A. Determine the magnitude of
R and the distance x to point A.
Ans. R = 1065 N, x = 1.93 m