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ME103 ENGINEERING MECHANICS I

ASSIGNMENT NO 2
STATICS OF PARTICLES
1. A smooth sphere of weight is supported in contact with a smooth vertical wall by a string fastened to
a point on its surface, the end being attached to a point on the wall as shown in Figure P2.1. If the
length of the string is equal to the radius of sphere, find tensions in the string and reaction on the wall.
2. Two equal heavy spheres of radius are in equilibrium within a smooth cup of radius as
shown in Figure P2.2. Show that the reaction between the cup of one sphere is double than that
between the two spheres.
3. A uniform rod remains in equilibrium position resting on a smooth inclined planes and ,
which are at an angle of as shown in Figure P2.3. If the plane makes an angle of with the
horizontal, then what is the inclination of the rod with the plane .

Figure P2.1 Figure P2.2 Figure P2.3

4. The clock shown in Figure P2.4 is acted on by its weight , a horizontal force
and pressure exerted by the inclined plane. The resultant of these forces is parallel to the incline.
Determine and . Does the block move up or down the plane?
5. Two cables are tied together at and are loaded as shown in Figure P2.5. Knowing that ,
determine the tension (a) in cable , (b) in cable .
6. The crate in Figure P2.6 is suspended using the ropes and . Each rope can withstand a
maximum force of before it breaks. If always remains horizontal, determine the smallest
angle to which the crate can be suspended before one of the ropes breaks.
7. If the spring has an unstretched length of , determine the stiffness of the spring to hold the
crate in the position shown in Figure P2.7.
8. The springs and , shown in Figure P2.8, each have a stiffness of and an unstretched
length of . Determine the displacement of the cord from the wall when a force is
applied to the cord.
9. The members of a truss are connected to the gusset plate as shown in Figure P2.9. If the forces are
concurrent at point , determine the magnitudes of and for equilibrium. Take .

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Figure P2.4 Figure P2.5 Figure P2.6

Figure P2.7 Figure P2.8 Figure P2.9

10. The ball has a mass of . If a force of is applied horizontally to the ring at as
shown in Figure P2.10, determine the dimension d so that the force in cable is zero.
11. A string , attached to fixed points and has two equal weights of attached to it at
and . The weights rest with the portions and inclined at angles as shown in Figure P2.11. Find
the tensions in the portions , and of the string, if the inclination of the portion with the
vertical is .
12. Three cables are used to tether a balloon as shown in Figure P2.12. Determine the vertical force
exerted by the balloon at knowing that the tension in cable is .
13. A rectangular plate is supported by three cables as shown in Figure P2.13. Knowing that the tension in
cable is , determine the weight of the plate.
14. Collars and are connected by a long wire and can slide freely on frictionless rods as
shown in Figure P2.14. If a force ( ) is applied to collar , determine (a) the tension in the

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wire when , (b) the magnitude of the force required to maintain the equilibrium of the
system.

Figure P2.10 Figure P2.11

Figure P2.12 Figure P2.13 Figure P2.14

EM-I 2080 Assignment 2