A presentation on System of Forces for the

partial assessment of Continuous Evaluation

INTRODUCTION
Definition of ‘force’ can be given in several ways. Most simply it can be defined as ‘the cause of change in the state of motion of a
particle or body’. It is of course, the product (multiplication) of mass of the particle and its acceleration.
Force is the manifestation of action of one particle on the other. It is a vector quantity.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A FORCE
A Force has following basic characteristics
i) Magnitude
ii) Direction
iii) Point of application
iv) Line of action
Force is represented as a vector .i.e an arrow with its magnitude.
e.g. for the force shown in Fig., magnitude of force is 4KN, direction is 40° with the horizontal in fourth quadrant, point of
application is C and line of action is AB.

Smaller magnitudes of forces are measured in newton (N) and larger in kilonewton (KN).
SYSTEMS OF FORCES
When a mechanics problem or system has more than one force acting, it is known as a ‘force system’ or ‘system of force’

Common symbols: ,F

SI unit: Newton
In SI base units: kg·m/s2
Other units: dyne, poundal, pound-force, kip, kilo pond
Derivations from other quantities: F=ma
Dimension: LMT-2
1. Coplanar Forces:- The Forces whose lines of action lie on the same plane, are known
as coplanar Forces.

2. Non-Coplanar Forces:- The forces, whose line of action of all forces are not in the
same plane, are known as non-coplanar forces.

3. Concurrent Forces:- The forces which meet at any point, are known as concurrent
forces.

4. Non-Concurrent Forces:- The forces whose line of action of all forces do not pass
through a single point, are known as non-concurrent forces.

5. Collinear Forces:- The forces, whose lines of action lie on the same line, are known as
collinear forces.

(a) Like Collinear Force:- Line of action of all forces pass through a single line and In the
same direction.

(b) Unlike Collinear Force:- Line of action of all forces pass through a single line but in
different directions.

6. Parallel Forces:- Line of action of all forces parallel to each other.

(a) Like Parallel Forces:- Line of action of all forces are parallel to each other in the same
direction.

(b) Unlike Parallel Forces: Line of action of all forces are parallel to each other but in opposite
directions.

7. Non-Parallel Forces:- Line of action of all forces are not parallel to each other.

8. Non-Coplanar Concurrent Forces:- The forces, which meet at one point, but their lines of action
don't lie on the same plane, are known as non-coplanar concurrent forces.

9. Non-Coplanar non-concurrent forces:- The forces, which do not meet at one point and their lines
of action do not lie on the same plane, are called non-coplanar non-concurrent forces.

10. Non-coplanar Parallel forces:- The forces, whose line of action of all forces are not lying on a
single plane but parallel to each other are called non-coplanar parallel forces.
Reference
1. R.K. Bansal, “Engineering Mechanics”, Laxmi Publications

2. D.S. Bedi & M.P. Poonia, “Engineering Mechanics”, Khanna Publishing House, 2019

3. R.S. Khurmi, “Engineering Mechanics”, S.Chand Publications

4. Vela Murali, “Engineering Mechanics”, Oxford University Press (2010)

5. Beer, F.P, and Johnston Jr. E.R., “Vector Mechanics for Engineers (In SI Units): Statics and Dynamics”, 8th Edition, Tata
McGraw-Hill Publishing company, New Delhi (2004).
THAK YOU