Equilibrium of a Particle

Solving for unknown forces in a concurrent force system

in order to establish equilibrium
Categories of idealized objects

Particle: an object in which its dimension is insignificant in the

mechanical analysis. This is usually because all ideal forces acting on
it (or could act on it) are concurrent.
• For particles, the significant motion is only translation.

Rigid body: an object in which its dimensions are significant in the

mechanical analysis. This is because the forces acting on it (or could
act on it) are not concurrent.
• For rigid bodies, the significant motion can be both translation and
rotation.
Translation and Rotation

Translation: motion as change in location of an object, especially

acceleration on a certain direction.

Rotation: motion as change in orientation of an object, especially

acceleration of all elements about a certain axis.
Examples of Particle
Examples of Particle
Examples of Particle
Examples of Rigid Body
Examples of Rigid Body
Examples of Rigid Body
“Equilibrium”
•Equilibrium
  (Physics): a state of no change in the nature of
motion; if at rest, stays at rest, and if moving at a certain velocity,
it stays moving on that same constant velocity.

Equilibrium:

Static Equilibrium:

Dynamic Equilibrium: ,
 The meaning of
•Newton’s
  Second Law:
“A body with mass m will accelerate at a rate a when acted
upon by a net (unbalanced) force F, following the equation:

For acceleration to be zero, the net force should be zero.

For ,
Condition for Equilibrium for Particle
• 

Note: “Net force” = “Summation of forces” = “Resultant”

Theorem:
A particle is in equilibrium if the resultant of all concurrent forces
acting on it is equal to zero.
Free Body Diagram
Free Body Diagram (FBD): the drawn representation of an
isolated object together with the force representations of all
physical interactions involved.
Force Representations
for some common physical interactions
•  Spring: replace the spring by a pushing (if the spring is compressed)
or pulling force (if the spring is stretched) with direction along the
axis of the spring and magnitude equivalent to:

• Cable: replace the cable with a pulling force directed along the axis
of the cable and away from the object. This is referred to as the
Tension Force of the cable.
• Pulley: if cables run through pulleys, and the cable is in equilibrium,
the tension force is equal on both cable ends.
• Smooth surface: replace the smooth (or frictionless) contacting
surface by a force with direction perpendicular to the surface and
towards the object.
Why is FBD important
• Allows us to carefully visualize all influences (Forces, velocity,
acceleration, etc.) on an isolated object or system. Most
influences on an object is vector-related, thus, visualization is
very helpful.
• Helps us to develop equations from the drawn forces.
How to draw FBD
• Select the object or system you want to isolate for mechanical
analysis.
• Draw the object and replace all other interacting objects or
systems with their respective forces acting on your isolated
object.
Equations for equilibrium of a particle

•“Equilibrium
  is satisfied when the sum of all forces is equal to zero.”

For a set of concurrent forces, taking equations from each of the

summation of components on each axis gives us three equations:

Note:
For a set of forces in 2D only, the third equation is of no use.
Thus, 2D concurrent force systems can provide 2 equations only.
The block has a mass of 5 kg
and rests on the smooth
plane. Determine the
unstretched length of the
spring.
The crate has a weight of
550 lb. Determine the
tensile force in each
supporting cable.
Determine the maximum
force F that can be supported
in the position shown if each
chain can support a
maximum tension of 600 lb
before it fails.
“Practice makes Perfect.”
Suggested Practice Problems:
F3-5
F3-6
3-10&11
3-30
3-41
Other Practice Problems:
pg. 97 to 104

Reminder:
A short quiz will be given every start of a lecture session.
Read in advance.
Upcoming topics:
3D Concurrent Forces (p. 44)
Equilibrium of a Particle in 3D (p. 106)