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CHAPTER 2: STATITIC EQUILIBRIUM

A boy and his cat sit on a seesaw. The cat has a mass of
4 kg and sits 2 m from the center of rotation. If the boy
has a mass of 50 kg, where should he sit so that the see-
saw will balance?

Any object in daily life must have at least one force

acting on them (the force of gravity).

And if there are at rest, then there must be other forces

acting on them as well so that the net force is zero.
𝐹1 𝐹2
For example, A book at rest on a table, has two forces
acting on it; the downward force of gravity and the 𝜏1 + 𝜏2 = 0
normal force the table exerts upward on it. 𝐹1 𝑟1 + 𝐹2 𝑟2 = 0
(𝑚1 𝑔)𝑟1 − (𝑚2 𝑔)𝑟2 = 0
Because the book is at rest, Newton's second law tells us 4(9,81)(2) − 50(9.81)𝑟2 = 0
the net force on it is zero. 𝑟2 = 0.16 𝑚
∴ He should sit 0.16 m from the see-saw.
So that, an object with forces acting on it, but the net
force is zero, is said to be in equilibrium.
A uniform rod loaded as shown is pivot at point A so that
it is in equilibrium. The length of AB is 4 m and AC is 1 m.
Determine the weight of the rod.
Equilibrium Conditions for a Rigid Body

The condition for equilibrium of a rigid body under the

action of coplanar forces are;

1. Force or 1st condition;

𝜏1 = 𝜏2
the vector sum of all forces on the body must 𝐹1 𝑟1 = 𝐹2 𝑟2
be zero. So, Fx = 0 400(1) = 100(3)
Fy = 0 400 − 300 = 0
𝑊 = 100 𝑁
2. Torque or 2nd condition;
In below figure, calculate F1 and F2 that acts on a
the sum of all the torques acting on the body uniform beam of mass 30 kg
must be zero. So, τ=0

Example of Force or 1st condition

The seesaw is 12 m long and is pivoted at its center.

George weighs 30 kg and is sitting at one end, his sister
Alice weighing 22 kg is 1 m from him. Where does their
father (85 kg) have to sit to balance the seesaw.

𝐹1 + 𝐹2 − 200 − 300 − 400 − 30(9.8) = 0

∑𝜏 = 0
𝐹1 + 𝐹2 − 1194 = 0
𝜏𝐺 + 𝜏𝐴 = 𝜏𝐹 𝐹1 + 𝐹2 = 1194
(𝐹𝐺 × 𝑟𝐺 ) + (𝐹𝐴 × 𝑟𝐴 ) = (𝐹𝐹 × 𝑟𝐹 )
30(6) + 22(5) = 85 𝑟𝐹 𝐹1 (0) + 200(1) + 300(4) + 400(8) + 294(5)
∴ 𝑟𝐹 = 3.41 𝑚 − 𝐹2 (10) = 0

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0 + 200 + 1200 + 3200 + 1470 − 10𝐹2 = 0

6070 − 10𝐹2 = 0
10𝐹2 = 6070
6070
𝐹2 =
10
𝐹2 = 607 𝑁

𝐹1 + 𝐹2 = 1194
𝐹1 + 607 = 1194
𝐹1 = 1194 − 607
𝐹1 = 587 𝑁

Example of Torque or 2nd condition

Torque:
Torque is created by force, but it also depends on where
the force is applied and the point about which the object
Torque can be defined as the tendency to produce a
rotates.
change in rotational motion. It is also called the
moment of force.

• Rotational motion is effected by both the

magnitude of force and its moment arm.

• Thus, we will define torque, T as the product of a

force and its moment arm.

• For example, a door pushed at its handle will

θ easily turn and open, but a door pushed near
its hinges will not move as easily. The force may
rigid be the same but the torque is quite different.
body
Force and lever arm are not always perpendicular
axis
When the force and lever arm are not perpendicular,
an extra step is required to calculate the length of the
lever arm.
𝑇𝑜𝑟𝑞𝑢𝑒 = 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 × 𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐴𝑟𝑚
𝜏 =𝐹×𝑟

𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 𝑖𝑠

𝜏 = 𝐹 sin 𝜃 × 𝑟

F perpendicular to r

Force applied must be perpendicular

• The lever arm is the perpendicular distance

between the line of action of the force and the
center of rotation

• The torque (τ) created by a force is equal to the

lever arm (r) times the magnitude of the force
(F).

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A force of 50 newtons is applied to a wrench that is 30 𝜏1 = 𝐹1 × 𝑟

centimeters long. Calculate the torque if the force is = 10 𝑁 × 0.8 𝑚
applied perpendicular to the wrench which the lever = 8 𝑁𝑚
arm is 30 cm.
𝜏2 = 𝐹2 × 𝑟
= 25 𝑁 sin 25 × 0.8 𝑚
= 8.45 𝑁𝑚

𝜏3 = 𝐹3 × 𝑟
= 20 𝑁 × 0 𝑚
= 0 𝑁𝑚

𝜏 =𝐹×𝑟 A weightless strut (10 m) is hinged at a wall with the

𝜏 = 50 × 0.3 far end supported by a cord. A weigh of 100 N hangs
𝜏 = 15 𝑁𝑚 from the far end. Find:

A 20-centimeter wrench is used to loosen a bolt. The T

force is applied 0.20 m from the bolt. It takes 50 N to
loosen the bolt when the force is applied perpendicular F 30
to the wrench.
F

20 cm 100 FTy

F F
y T
o
30
F FTx
x

i) Calculate the torque

W
𝜏 =𝐹×𝑟 a) the tension in the cord
𝜏 = 50 × 0.2
𝜏 = 10 𝑁𝑚 ∑𝜏 = 0
𝜏1 = 𝜏2
ii) How much force would it take if the force 𝐹1 × 𝑟1 = 𝐹2 × 𝑟2
was applied at a 30-degree angle from 100 × 10 = 𝑇 sin 30 × 10
perpendicular and produce the same torque 100
in (i) ? 𝑇=
sin 30
𝜏 = 𝐹 sin 𝜃 × 𝑟 b) the horizontal and vertical components of the
10 = 𝐹 sin 60 × 0.2 force exerted on the strut at the hinge.
10
𝐹=
(sin 60 × 0.2) ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0
𝐹 = 57.73 𝑁
∴ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑇 cos 30°
Find the torque about axis A in due to each of the 𝐹𝑥 = 200 cos 30°
forces shown below. = 173 𝑁

20 N
τ ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0
3
∴ 𝐹𝑦 = −𝑇 sin 30° + 100
=0
80 10 N
τ
1

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c) the magnitude and direction of the react on Center of mass, CM

the wall exerts on the beam at the hinge
The point on an object
where all of its mass can
Center of Mass be considered to be
𝐹 = √𝐹𝑥 2 + 𝐹𝑦 2 concentrated.
= √1732 + 02
The point on an object
= 173 𝑁 Center of Gravity where all of its weight
can be considered to act.
𝐹𝑦
𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ( )
𝐹𝑥
0 These are at the SAME POINT for an object in a
= 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ( ) constant gravitational field.
173
= 0°

Stability

The center of mass lies at the geometric center for a

symmetric, uniform density object

The center of mass can be outside the mass of the body

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Center of Mass Location In x direction:

In x direction: 𝐶𝑀
16(10) + 12(7.5) + 52(4) + 16(10) − 7.1(4.5)
𝑚1 𝑥1 + 𝑚2 𝑥2 + 𝑚3 𝑥3 + ⋯ =
𝐶𝑀 = 16 + 12 + 52 + 16 − 7.1
𝑚1 + 𝑚2 + 𝑚3 + ⋯ 586.05
=
88.9
In y direction:
= 6.6
𝑚1 𝑦1 + 𝑚2 𝑦2 + 𝑚3 𝑦3 + ⋯
𝐶𝑀 = In y direction:
𝑚1 + 𝑚2 + 𝑚3 + ⋯
16(2) + 12(7) + 52(7.5) + 16(13) − 7.1(7.5)
Example: 𝐶𝑀 =
16 + 12 + 52 + 16 − 7.1
660.75
=
88.9
= 7.4

In below figure, the weight of the object, W is 30 N and

is in equilibrium. Find T1 and T2

Locate the center of mass for the combination of the

three mass in x and y directions.

In x direction:

1(4) + 1(6) + 2(12)

𝐶𝑀 = ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑇2 sin 70 − 𝑇1 cos 60
1+1+2
34 0.94 𝑇2 − 0.5 𝑇1 = 0
=
4 0.94 𝑇2 = 0.5 𝑇1
= 8.5 0.5 𝑇1
𝑇2 =
0.94
In y direction: 𝑇2 = 0.53 𝑇1

1(12) + 1(5) + 2(8.5)

𝐶𝑀 =
1+1+2 ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑇1 sin 60 − 𝑇2 cos 70 − 30
34
= 𝑇1 sin 60 − 𝑇2 cos 70 = 30
4
= 8.5 0.87 𝑇1 − 0.34 𝑇2 = 30
0.87 𝑇1 − 0.34 (0.53 𝑇1 ) = 30
0.87 𝑇1 − 0.18 𝑇1 = 30
0.69 𝑇1 = 30
30
𝑇1 =
0.69
𝑇1 = 43.48 𝑁

𝑇2 = 0.53 (43.48 )
= 23.04 𝑁
Locate the center of mass in the x and y direction for
the figure above

*Mass=area

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Find the torque about axis A in due to each of the forces

shown below.
F x =0
 Fx = T cos 30 o
Fx = 200 cos 30 o
= 173 N
F y =0
 Fy = − T sin 30 o + 100
=0
c) the magnitude and direction of the react on the
wall exerts on the beam at the hinge
𝜏1 = 𝐹1 × 𝑟
= 10 × 0.8
F = Fx + Fy
2 2
= 8 𝑁𝑚
= 173 2 + 0 2
𝜏2 = 𝐹2 × 𝑟
= 25 sin 25 × 0.8 = 173 N
= 8.45 𝑁𝑚
 Fy 
𝜏1 = 𝐹1 × 𝑟  = tan −1  
= 20 × 0  Fx 
= 0 𝑁𝑚  0 
= tan −1  
 173 
A weightless strut (10 m) is hinged at a wall with the far
end supported by a cord. A weigh of 100 N hangs from = 0o
the far end. Find: Three masses are attached to a uniform meter stick, as
shown in Figure below. The mass of the meter stick is
150.0 g and the masses to the left of the fulcrum are m1
= 50.0 g and m2 = 75.0 g. Find the mass m3 that balances
the system when it is attached at the right end of the
stick, and the normal reaction force at the fulcrum when
the system is balanced.

a) the tension in the cord.

 =0
1 = 1
F1  r1 = F2  r2
100 10 = T sin 30 10
100
T =
sin 30
𝑇 = 200 𝑁

b) the horizontal and vertical components of the

force exerted on the strut at the hinge.

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