ENGGPHYSICS Physics for Engineers

CHAPTER II. FORCES IN EQUILIBRIUM

FORCE
Force, in simplest terms, is either a push or pull. It may be defined as the action of
one body on another. However, one body may exert a force on another body without
causing any change in motion. This is due to the fact that other forces act simultaneously on
the body thereby neutralizing the effect of the first one.

Through rectangular resolution, we can solve the that the Force has two components or what
we call rectangular components
1. x-component force
2. y-component force

COMPOSITION OF FORCES
When two or more forces act on a body it is possible to find a single force that will
produce the same effect on the body as that produced by the given forces. This single force
is called the resultant. In a polygon of forces, the resultant is the enclosing side of the
polygon. Forces in equilibrium though have their resultant equal to zero. From the foregoing
method, forces in equilibrium will form a closed polygon.

Forces acting at a point on a body, or whose lines of action converge at a point are
called concurrent forces. Forces acting on a body whose lines of action do not converge at
a point are called non-concurrent forces. Forces acting on a plane are called coplanar
forces, while those acting on more than one plane are non-coplanar forces.

Two methods in solving forces and its components:

a) Graphical Method
b) Analytical Method
Graphical Method is very much alike with the resolution of vectors, while Analytical Method
has the same method as Trigonometric Method.

GCL
ENGGPHYSICS Physics for Engineers

Sample Problems:
1. Find the horizontal and vertical components of a force of 40 N with a direction 50
degrees above the horizontal to the right using Analytical Method.
Solution:
Solving the horizontal and vertical components of the force has the same method as
solving the components of vectors.
( ) ( )
F=40N
( )

( ) ( )
( ) Fy
500

Fx

2. A man is dragging a trunk up the loading ramp of a mover’s trunk. The ramp has a
slope angle of 20° and the man pulls upward at an angle of 30° to the ramp.
a. How large a force F is necessary in order that the component Fx parallel to the
plane shall be 16 N?
b. How large will the component Fy then be?
Solution:
0
F 30
F
0 Fx=16
Fy 30
N
0
20 0
20

The illustration above presents the situation on the problem. We are being
asked for the value of the force F, given that its x component is equal to 16 N. The
process would be like solving the components.
First, let’s solve for the value of F,
( )

( )

After solving the value of force F, we can now solve for the vertical
component, Fy.
( ) ( )

GCL
ENGGPHYSICS Physics for Engineers

3. Three forces act on a point: 3 N at 0°, 4 N at 90°, and 5 N at 217°. What is the net force?
Solution:
Net Force is another term used for resultant force. So, the same way as adding
vectors, we are going to solve for the components of the forces.
0
90

4N

0
0
0
217 3N

( )
( ) 5N

( )
( )
Fx

√ √( )

Fy

F
( )

4. Two forces, F1 and F2 act upon a body in such a manner that the resultant force R has
a magnitude equal to that of F2 and makes an angle of 90o with F2. Let R = F2 = 5 N.
Find the magnitude of the first force, and its direction relative to R.
Solution:
First, let’s draw the assumed position of the two forces and the resultant force R.
R=5N

F1

F2=5N
Now let’s solve for the components of the resultant. Note, the resultant force is
vertical and F2 is horizontal since the two is 900 away from each other. We positioned
them in such a way that will make the solution easier. Thus,

Remember, the components of the resultant is the summation of the

components of the forces. So we can equate,

But we also know that and so we can substitute,

GCL
ENGGPHYSICS Physics for Engineers

Now that we have solved the components of F1, we can now calculate the magnitude
and direction of F1.
√
√( )

Points to Remember when Solving Forces:

Force is a vector since it has a magnitude and a direction. In solving

problems regarding forces, we are only to take it like solving problems on
vectors.

GCL
ENGGPHYSICS Physics for Engineers

FORCES IN EQUILIBRIUM

Statics deals with bodies in equilibrium. By equilibrium is meant the absence of

acceleration. For a body to be in equilibrium, it must have no tendency toward translation or
rotation.

A body is said to be in equilibrium if there is no change in motion of the body. This

condition exists when the vector sum of the forces tending to produce translation or motion
in a straight line, is zero, and when the algebraic sum of the moments tending to rotate the
body is zero.

For translational equilibrium, ∑ and ∑ .

Sample Problems:
1. A lamp is hanging on a corner ceiling using two cords as shown. If the weight of the
lamp is 80 N, find the tension in each cord.

0
60

Solution:
For forces in equilibrium, the sum total of the horizontal force components is
equal to zero. The same to the sum total of the vertical force components which is also
equal to zero.
0
60

T2

T3 T1 = 80 N

T1 is equal to the weight of the lamp since the tension in cord 1 (T1) is directly
carrying the weight of the lamp.

So since we know the value of T1 already, we can use the equation for vertical
forces to solve the next tension.
∑ ( )
( )

The positive and negative sign of the tensions indicate the direction. It’s not
necessarily that an upward and right direction is positive and negative for left and
downward direction. It is just that when the vectors are with opposite directions, they
must have opposite sign conventions as well.

GCL
ENGGPHYSICS Physics for Engineers

Now let’s solve for the third tension.

∑ ( )
( )

In equilibrium of forces, we only need to remember that the summation of all

forces vertical and horizontal is always equal to zero.

2. A picture frame is hung against a wall, suspended by two wires attached to its upper
corners. If the two wires make the same angle with the vertical, what must this angle
be for the tension in each wire to equal the weight of the frame?

T T
Picture
Frame

Solution:
For this problem, we are being asked the value of the angle so that the tension
on both cords will be equal to the weight of the frame (T=W)
∑
( )

( )
( )

3. Find the weight of the suspended body if the tension in the diagonal string is 20 N.

T=20N
0
45

W
Solution:
For this problem, we are being asked the weight of the suspended body given that
the tension of the diagonal cord is given. There are two other cords that pulls the
object, but since they are both horizontal, we can solve for the value of W using the
summation of vertical forces.
∑ ( )
( ) ( )

GCL
ENGGPHYSICS Physics for Engineers

4. Find the tension in each cord if the weight of the suspended body is 200 N.

0 0
30 45
TC
TB

TA

Solution:
From the previous example, we already know that TA directly carries the
weight of the suspended body,

By equating the components of forces horizontal and vertical, we can get two
derived equations.
∑
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( )
( )
∑
( ) ( )
Substituting eq. 1 to eq. 2, we can calculate the value of Tc.
( )
( ) ( )
( )

( )
( )
( )
( )
( )

Points to Remember when dealing with Forces in Equilibrium:

The most important concept of forces in equilibrium is that the total of all forces vertical
∑ 𝐹𝑦 and total of all forces horizontal ∑ 𝐹𝑥 is always equal to zero.

Determine first what is being asked in the problem. Decide whether which is easier to use, the
summation of horizontal or vertical forces. If you were not able to solve what is being asked
using the first equation, you will surely calculate it using the second equation.

GCL
ENGGPHYSICS Physics for Engineers

NORMAL FORCE (N)

“Where there is a contact, there is a reaction.”

A contact force perpendicular to the contact surface that prevents two objects from
passing through one another is called the normal force. In geometry, the word normal
means perpendicular.

FRICTION

A contact force parallel to the contact surface is called friction. Two types of frictions
are: static friction and kinetic (sliding) friction. When the two objects are slipping or
sliding across one another, the friction is kinetic. When no slipping or sliding occurs, such as
between the tires of a car parked on a hill and the road surface, the friction is static.

Maximum force of friction:

Ff = N
Or

Sample Problems:
1. A box of strawberries weighing 20 N rests on a horizontal surface. The coefficient of
static friction between box and surface is 0.40 and the coefficient of sliding friction is
0.20.
a. How large is the friction force exerted on the box?
b. How great will the friction force be if a horizontal force of 5N is exerted on the
box?
c. What is the minimum force that will start the box in motion?
d. What is the minimum force that will keep the box in motion once it has been
started?

Solution:

20 N

Now we’re going to illustrate the orientation of forces acting on the box

20 N

Ff N

GCL
ENGGPHYSICS Physics for Engineers

From the illustration, we have three forces acting on the body (box of
strawberries). The first one is the weight (W) which is always a downward force, the
Normal Force (N) which acts perpendicular to the surface, and the Friction Force (F f)
which acts parallel to the surface. These three forces are acting on equilibrium with
the body, thus,
∑

Since in (a) we are being asked the value of the friction force, using the
calculated value of Normal force we can now calculate the value of Friction.
( )

The value of the coefficient of friction used is 0.4 or the static coefficient since
there is no movement yet on the box. The box is still steady and not yet moving.
W

20 N 5N

Ff
N

For (b), we are being asked for the value of the Friction Force if there is an
external force (5 N) exerted on the body. Remember, that the friction force is
dependent on the normal force, and the normal force is dependent on the vertical
forces acting on the body. Since the added external force is horizontal, it will not
affect the Normal force and thus, will not affect the Friction force. So, the value of the
Friction force will not change.

For (c), we are being asked for the value of the external force that will make
the body start to move. Remember, the friction force when the body is not moving is
already 8 N. So we also need an external force (horizontal) of 8 N to start the moving.

For (d), we are being asked the minimum force to keep the body moving.

F
20 N

Ff
N
As you can see from the illustration, the value of the weight will not change
nor there is an additional vertical force so the Normal Force will not change. This
value will be used for the calculation of friction force. But this time, the body is
moving so the coefficient that will be used is the sliding coefficient of friction.
( )

GCL
ENGGPHYSICS Physics for Engineers

By equilibrium of forces,
∑

2. A 30 N tool box is pulled at constant speed up a frictionless icy sloping rod by a

weight of 10 N hanging from a rope attached to the box and passing over a
frictionless pulley at the top of the roof. Find
a. The slope angle of the roof
b. The tension in the rope
c. The normal force exerted on the box by the roof
Solution:

10 N

Wx
Wy
10 N
W = 30 N

10 N
Ff = 0
N

The force pulling the box upward is equal to the weight attached to the pulley.
The weight of the box is acting downward (weight is always acting downward
regardless the of the surface). There is also the Normal Force acting perpendicular
and the Friction force acting parallel on the surface. Note that the friction force is
equal to zero since the surface is frictionless.
The angle of the slope/surface is equal to the angle of inclination of the
weight. So we can solve now the value of the angle through equilibrium of forces.
∑
( )
( )
( ) ( )

The tension on the rope, as discussed earlier is equal to the weight attached
on the pulley.

To get the normal force, we can use the equilibrium of vertical forces.
∑
( )
( )

GCL
ENGGPHYSICS Physics for Engineers

3. A dictionary is pulled to the right at constant velocity by a 10 N force acting 30 0

upward above the horizontal. The coefficient of sliding friction between the book and
the horizontal surface is 0.5. What is the weight of the book?
Solution:
10 N
W 0
30

N Ff

For this problem, we given the pulling force and its angle. If we are going to
use the summation of vertical forces, the weight W and the Normal force N is
unknown. So we’re going to use the summation of horizontal forces first.
∑ ( )
( )
With the value of friction force, we can now solve the value of the normal force.

( )

With the value of the normal force, we can now solve the value of the weight by the
equilibrium of vertical forces. Remember to include the vertical component of the
pulling force.
∑ ( )
( )

4. A box of mass m = 10 kg is held at rest on a 32° inclined plane by force Fa acting

horizontally. The box is on the point of sliding down the inclined plane. The static
coefficient of friction between the box and the inclined plane is μs = 0.3. Find the
magnitude of the force Fa.
Solution: Fa
W Fa

Ff
0
30 30
0
N

To solve for the force (Fa), we need to solve for the value of the weight W first.
( )( )

Now that we have solved the value of the weight, we can proceed to the
equilibrium of forces. As you can see from the illustration, only the weight is not
inclined. To make the solutions easier, we are going to tilt the forces (angles will not
change) so that the force Fa and the friction force will become horizontal forces and
the normal force will become a vertical force. In this way, only the weight now is
inclined.

GCL
ENGGPHYSICS Physics for Engineers
0
30

W Fa

Ff

∑
( ) ( )

Using the calculated value of normal force, we can solve the value of the
friction force.
( )

Using the calculated value of the friction force, we can calculate the value of
force Fa by equilibrium of horizontal forces.
∑
( ) ( )

Points to Remember when dealing with Normal and Friction Force:

Normal Force always acts perpendicular to the surface where the body lies. On the other
hand, Friction Force always acts parallel to the surface and always on the opposite direction to
the movement of the body.

Normal force and Friction force follows the equilibrium of forces under a static situation
(no movement) so they can always be calculated from solving the summation of vertical and /or
horizontal forces acting on a body. If the calculated magnitude of these forces is negative, it
means that the direction is opposite to the assumed.

GCL