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CG CM and Equilibrium
CG CM and Equilibrium
3. Parallel forces: If a number of forces acting on a body are parallel, the forces are
called the parallel forces. When their direction is same, they are called like parallel
forces and when their direction is opposite, they are called unlike parallel forces.
4. Couple and torque due to the couple: Two equal and unlike parallel forces acting at
different points on a body are said to form a couple and the turning effect produced
by a couple is called the moment of
couple or the torque due to the F
couple. O
Suppose, two equal forces F are acting
F r
2
In opposite direction at the distance r on either side from the axis of rotation O, as
shown In figure. The torque produced about the point O is given by:
Torque, τ = either force × perpendicular distance
or, τ=Fr
Examples- Torque produced by couple is used to turn the cap of bottle, turn steering
wheel, turn a screwdriver, open or close a water tap, turn a key etc.
5. Center of Gravity (CG) A rigid body is composed of a large number of particles and
the forces of gravity at each particle act parallel to each other. The point at which the
resultant of the forces of gravity at each particle on the body acts is called the center
of gravity of the body. So CG represents the point at
which the resultant weight of the body acts m2
irrespective of the position. When a body is m1 CG
m3
supported at its CG, it remains in the balanced m 2g
position.
m 3g m n
For a body having regular geometrical shape, the CG lies
m 1g
at its geometrical center.
mng
CG CM
i) It is the point where effective weight of the i) It is the point where total mass of the body is
body acts on it. supposed to be concentrated.
ii) CG exists only when the body is inside a ii) CM exists in all conditions.
gravitational field
iii) When a body is supported vertically below iii) When an external force is applied along the
its CG, it remains balanced. line with CM, the body is translated without
rotation
iv) For the bodies of very large dimensions, iv) Position of CM of a body does not change
position of CG changes slightly with its with its orientation.
orientation.
Or ∑ Fx = 0, and,
Or ∑ Fy = 0
With net force zero, we have, acceleration a=0 or velocity v= constant. So a body
can be in translational equilibrium either at rest or under uniform velocity.
4
Conceptual questions
a b c
1. Handle of a door is provided near the outer edge of the plank, why?
2. A wrench of long arm is preferred to unscrew a tight knot, why?
5
Example 2
1. A rectangular plate ABCD has two forces of 100 N acting along AB and DC in opposite directions.
If AB = 3m , BC = 5m, what is the moment of couple (torque) acting on the plate? What forces
acting along BC and AD respectively are required to keep the plate in equilibrium? F’= ?
Here, clockwise torque due to F = 100N force,
τcw = either force × perpendicular distance F=100N
= F×BC 3m
A B
=100×5 = 500Nm
Again to keep the plate in equilibrium required anticlockwise torque
5m
τacw = either force × perpendicular distance
= F’×3
At equilibrium, F=100N D C
τacw = τcw
F’×3 = 500
F’ = 166.7 N
F’
1. The foot of a uniform ladder is on a rough horizontal ground, and the top rests against a smooth
vertical wall. The weight of the ladder is 400 N and a man weighing 800 N stands on the ladder
one-quarter of its length from the bottom. If the inclination of the ladder to the horizontal is
30o, find the reaction at the wall and
the total force at the ground. Y
Y’ E
Here, AB = L, is the length of ladder. R
X’ B
Blue arrows represent the different
forces, where-
Wl = 400 N at D,
C
Wp = 800 N at C F
R = ?, the reaction of wall D
directed horizontally
F = ?, which is the reaction of the θ 30o
X O
total force on groud, which is A Wp= 800N Wl= 400N
directed at angle θ with ground
Since the ladder is in rotational equilibrium about the point A, we write-
Total clockwise torque about A = Total anticlockwise torque about A
Wp × AD Cos 30o + Wl × AC Cos 30o = R × AB Sin 30o (Torque = force × force arm)
F = 1385.64 N
1. A flat plate is cut in the shape of a square of side 20.0 cm with an equilateral triangle of side
20.0 cm adjecent to the square. Calculate the distance of the centre of mass from the apex of
Y
the triangle.
Here OABCD is the plate, and
D C
The apex of triangle is at the origin O.
For triangle, P E Q F X
O
OA = AD = DO = 20.0 cm
A B
OE = OA2 − AE2 = 202 − 102 = 17.32 m
= 173.2 cm2
1. A trap door 120 cm by 120 cm is kept horizontal by a string attached to the midpoint of the side
opposite to that containing the hinge. The other end of the string is tied to a point 90 cm
vertically above the hinge. If the trap door weigh is 50 N, calculate the tension in the string and
the reaction at the hinge.
In figure,
AB is trap door, with hinge at B and AB = 120 cm. E
AE is the string with BE = 90 cm.
Blue arrows are the forces, where T is tension at D
string, R is reaction at the hinge and W is the 90 cm
weight. T R
The weight W acts vertically downward from the θ C θ
A B
midpoint C of door. Since the door is in equilibrium 60 cm 60 cm
under the action of three forces- T, R and W, they
W = 50 N
all meet at the same point D. Therefore DC (along
which W acts) must be the perpendicular bisector
of the triangle ABD such that AD = BD. So we
write- angle DAB = angle DBA = θ.
In rt. Triangle ABE, AE = AB2 + BE2 = 1202 + 902 = 150 cm
90
Sinθ = Alternatively, use-
150
direction, Now for translational equilibrium along
horizontal T Cosθ + R Cosθ = W
TCosθ = RCosθ
(for translational equilibrium in
or, T=R
vertical direction)
Again, for rotational equilibrium about the point B,
W × BC = T Sinθ × BA or, 2 TSinθ = W
W × BC 50×60
or, T= = 90 = 41.7 N
Sin θ × BA ×120 or, T=
150
Thus, T = R =41.7 N
10
1. A wireless aerial attached to the top of a mast 20m high exerts a horizontal force upon it of 600
N. The mast is supported by a stay wire running to the ground from a point 6m below the top of
the mast and inclined at 60o to the horizontal. Assuming that the action of the ground on the
mast can be regarded as a single force, determine the tension in the stay wire.
Hints:
Clockwise moment of 600N force
F= 600
= Anticlockwise moment of T about point A C
N
6m
B
T 20 m
Stay wire
60o
D A