PHY 1150

Doug Davis
Chapter 8; Static Equilibrium
8.3, 10, 22, 29, 52, 55, 56, 74

8.3 A 2-kg ball is held in position by a horizontal string and a string

that makes an angle of 30° with the vertical, as shown in the figure.
Find the tension T in the horizontal string.

Tr 30° T r sin 60°

Tr

T
m = 2 kg T
T r cos 60°
w = 20 N

w = 20 N

F = 0

(Since I am writing this all in bold to begin with, it is difficult

or impossible to explicitly tell that this is a vector equation--
but it is! And that's very important!)

F = 0
But that reall means
Fx = 0 and Fy = 0
Fx = – T + Tr cos 60° = 0 Fy = Tr sin 60° – 20 N = 0
– T + Tr (0.500) = 0 Tr (0.866) – 20 N = 0
T = Tr (0.500) Tr (0.866) = 20 N

20 N
Tr = 0.866

PHY 1150, Homework, Chapter 8, page 1

 Tr = 23.1 N
T = (23.1 N)(0.500)
T = 11.5 N

8.10 The pulleys shown in the figure below are frictionless but have a
mass of 4 kg each. What is the tension in the cord and in the pulley
supports?

T 40N T T
T

40 N

20 kg
200 N

Apply the first condition of equilibrium to each pulley.

First to the one one the left,

F = 0
F = S – T – 40 N – T = 0
S – 2 T = 40 N

That gives two unknowns in one equation so we must seek

additional information. Of course, that will come from looking
at the pulley on the right,

F = 0

PHY 1150, Homework, Chapter 8, page 2

 F = 2 T – 40 N – 200 N = 0
2 T = 240 N
T = 120 N

S = 40 N + 2 T = 40 N + 2 (120 N)
S = 280 N

8.22 a cable and pulley arrangement shown there. The coefficient of

friction between the two blocks is 0.25. The coefficient of friction
between the block and the floor is 0.4. What is the maximum external
horizontal force F that can be exerted on the lower block before it will
move? What is the tension in the cable?

2 kg
F
7 kg

The maximum external force F that can be exerted will be the

force exerted when the friction forces are at their maxima,
Ff = µ FN
Make careful free body diagrams of the forces on each block.
First, for the 2-kg block, we have
FN
T
Ff

w = mg ≈ 20 N

F = 0
But that really means
Fx = 0 and Fy = 0
Fx = Ff – T = 0 Fy = FN – 20 N = 0
Ff = T FN = 20 N
With the normal force on the 2 kg block known, we can readily
PHY 1150, Homework, Chapter 8, page 3
calculate the friction force,
Ff = (0.4) (20 N)
Ff = 8 N
And that also means
T = 8N

Now, look at all the forces on the 7-kg block,

20 N
8N
T=8N F

Ff

F w = mg ≈ 70 N
N

The downward 20 N-force on top of the block is the normal

force exerted by the 2-kg block. The 8-N force on the top is the
friction force exerted by the 2-kg block. The tension is still 8 N
just as it was at the other end of the string which is attached to
the 2-kg block. The forces labeled FN and Ff are the normal
force and friction force exerted at the bottom on this 7-kg
block, of course. We used the same symbols to represent
different forces earlier when we looked at the 2-kg block. Now
we are ready to again apply the first condition of equilibrium,
F = 0
But that really means
Fx = 0 and Fy = 0
Fx = F – Ff – 8 N – 8 N = 0; Fy = FN – 20 N – 70 N = 0
F = Ff + 16 N FN = 90 N
With the normal force on the 7-kg block known, we can readily
calculate the friction force,
Ff = (0.4) (90 N)
Ff = 36 N
F = Ff + 16 N
F = 36 N + 16 N
F = 52 N

PHY 1150, Homework, Chapter 8, page 4

8.29 A piece of pipe may sometimes be used as a "cheater" to effectively
lengthen the moment arm of a wrench. If a pipe is used as shown in the
figure to allow a 150 N force to be exerted 30 cm from the bolt, what
torque is exerted on the bolt?
30 cm
150 N

= r F sin
= (0.30 m) (150 N) (1)
= 45 m-N

8.35 A uniform pole 6 m long weighs 300 N and is attached by a pivot

at one end to a wall. The pole is held at an angle of 30° above the
horizontal by a horizontal guy wire attached to the pole 4.0 m from the
end attached to the wall. A load of 600 N hangs from the upper end of
the pole. Find the tension in the guy wire and the components of the
force exerted on the pole by the wall.

4m 6m

600 N

30°

As always, a free body diagram is essential.

PHY 1150, Homework, Chapter 8, page 5

 6m

30° 4m
600 N
F
y

F
x

From the first condition of equilibrium, we have

F = 0
But that really means
Fx = 0 and Fy = 0
Fx = Fx – T = 0 Fy = Fy – 600 N = 0
Fx = T Fy = 600 N
More information is needed to solve for T and Fx. We can get
that information from the second condition of equilibrium.
Before we start to calculate torques, we must decide on the
reference point about which we will calculate those torques. If
we choose the lower, left end of the pole, there are two forces, Fx
and Fy, that will have zero torque. That will reduce the number
of terms in all of our equations. Therefore, that is a good
choice for the origin or reference point or axis of rotation.
List each force and the torque caused by that force:
Fx: = 0 (since r = 0 in = r F sin )
Fy: = 0 (since r = 0 in = r F sin )
T: ccw = (4 m)(T)(sin 30°) = (4 m) T (0.866) = (3.46 m) T
600 N: cw = (6 m)(600 N)(sin 60°) = (6 m)(600 N)(0.5) = 1800
m-N
ccw = cw
(3.46 m) T = 1800 m-N
T = 520 N
PHY 1150, Homework, Chapter 8, page 6
Therefore,
Fx = 520 N
And we already knew
Fy = 600 N

8.41 A carpenter's square has the dimensions shown in the figure. It is

made of uniformly thick metal. Locate its center of gravity.
3.5 cm

45 cm

3.0 cm

60 cm

Think of the square as being made of two rectangles.

PHY 1150, Homework, Chapter 8, page 7

 3.5 cm

42 cm
45 cm

3.0 cm

60 cm

The center of gravity of each rectangle is at the geometric

center of that rectangle and the mass (or weight) located at
that position is proportional to the area of that rectangle.
3.5 cm

y M2 = 147
X 2 = 58.25 cm
Y2 = 24 cm
M1 = 180 42 cm
45 cm
X 1 = 30 cm
Y1 = 1.5 cm

3.0 cm

x
60 cm

Notice that the positions are all measured from the lower left
corner of the carpenter's square. Now we can use the
defintions of center of gravity, Equations 8.10 and 8.11, to
locate the center of gravity of the entire object,

x cg = (180)(30 cm) + (147)(58.25 cm) = 42.7 cm

180 + 147
PHY 1150, Homework, Chapter 8, page 8
 y cg = (180)(1.5 cm) + (147)(24 cm) = 11.6 cm
180 + 147
3.5 cm

xcg= 42.7 cm 45 cm
ycg= 11.6 cm

3.0 cm

60 cm
x

8.52 Ladder problems are fun. Ladder problems are classic. A

ladder problem will surely reappear on an hour exam or the
final. A man who weighs 800 N climbs to the top of a 6 meter ladder
that is leaning agains a smooth (ie, frictionless) wall at an angle of 60°
with the horizontal as sketched in the figure below. The non-uniform
ladder weighs 400 N and its center of gravity is 2 meters from the foot of
the ladder. What must be the minimum coefficient of static friction
between the ground and the foot of the ladder if it is not to slip?

PHY 1150, Homework, Chapter 8, page 9

 6.0 m
F(wall)

800 N

2.0 m

400 N
60°
Ff

FN

Using the first condition of equilibrium, we have

Fx = Fwall – Ff = 0 or Fwall = Ff
and
Fy = FN – 400 N – 800 N = 0 or FN = 1200 N
To solve for Fwall and, thus, for Ff, we must use the second
condition of equilibrium. In calculating the torques, let us
calculate torques about the foot of the ladder. That choice
means two of the forces, FN and Ff , will provide zero torque and
that reduces the number of terms in our equations. Be very
careful of the angles!
= r F sin
Fwall : cw = (6.0 m)(Fwall)(sin 60°) = (6.0 m)(Fwall )(0.866)
cw = (5.2 m) Fwall
800 N: ccw = (6.0 m)(800 N)(sin 30°) = 2400 m-N
400 N: ccw = (2.0 m)(400 N)(sin 30°) = 400 m-N
Fwall : = 0
Ff: = 0
cw = ccw
(5.2 m) F wall = 2400 m-N + 400 m-N
(5.2 m) F wall = 2800 m-N
Fwall = 538 N
Ff = 538 N
PHY 1150, Homework, Chapter 8, page 10
 µ = Ff = 538 N
FN 1200 N
µ = 0.45

8.55 A uniform, rectangular, 600 N sign 0.8 m tall and 2.0 m wide is
held in a vertical plane, perpendicular to a wall, by a horizontal pin
through the top inside corner and by a guy wire that runs from the
outer top corner of the sign to a point on the wall 1.5 m above the pin.
Calculate the tension on the wire and the force exerted by the pin.

1.5 m Fy
T
Fx

0.8 m

2.0 m
600 N

Call the components of the force exerted by the pin F x and F y.

The angle between the guy wire and the horizontal is
tan = opp = 1.5 m = 0.75; = 37°
adj 2.0 m
Start with the first condition of equilibrium,

Fx = Fx – T cos 37° = Fx – 0.80 T = 0; Fx = 0.80 T

Fy = Fy + T sin 37° – 600 N = 0

Fy + 0.60 T = 600 N

This leaves us with two equations but three unknowns, so some

additional information is required. Of course, we can get that
by applying the second condition of equilibrium. We will
calculate torques about the pin. This means the torque caused
PHY 1150, Homework, Chapter 8, page 11
by the force of the pin is zero. Be careful of the torque for the
600-N weight.
T: ccw = (2.0 m)(T)(sin 37°) =(2.0 m)(T)(0.60) =(1.2 m)T
Fx: = 0
Fy: = 0
W: cw = (1.0 m)(600 N) = 600 m-N

=
cw ccw
(1.2 m) T = 600 m-N
T = 500 N

Fx = 0.80 T
Fx = 400 N

Fy = 600 N – 0.60 T
Fy = 600 N – 0.60(500 N)
Fy = 300 N

8.56 A 100 N child sits in the portable high chair shown in the figure.
The child sits 20 cm from the top supports and 40 cm from the bottom
supports. Determine the forces that hold the chair in place.

18
45 cm

F
top

W = mg

From the first condition of equilibrium, we have

Ftop = Fbottom + 100 N
Calculate torques about the position of the child,
W: = 0
Ftop: ccw = (18 cm)Ftop
Fbottom: cw = (45 cm) Fbottom

PHY 1150, Homework, Chapter 8, page 12

Now apply the second condition of equilibrium,
ccw = (18 cm)Ftop = (45 cm) Fvottom = cw

(18 cm)F t top = (45 cm) Fvottom

Ftop = (45/18) Fbottom
Ft top = 2.5 Fbottom

Ftop = Fbottom + 100 N

2.5 Fbottom = Fbottom + 100 N
1.5 Fbottom = 100 N
Fbottom = 66.7 N

8.74 Figure 8.81, on page 310, shows a person lifting a 30 kg (or 294
newton) mass. When his back is horizontal, as in the sketch, what is
the tension T in his back muscles and the compressive force C in his
spinal disks?

Ooops, I forgot to give you values for w1 and w2; w3 is the

weight of 294 N (the 30-kg mass that is being lifted). Read
problem 8.73 for those values; w1 = 480 N and ww = 60 N.

PHY 1150, Homework, Chapter 8, page 13

From the first condition of equilibrium we have
Cx = T cos 12° = T (cos 12° = 0.9999978 ≈ 1.00)
and
T sin 12° = 0.208 T = Cy + w1 + w2 + w3
0.208 T = Cy + 480 N + 60 N + 294 N
0.208 T = Cy + 834 N
We now have two equations with three unknowns so we must
get additional information from the second condition of
equilibrium. We will calculate torques about the hip; that
means the torque exerted by the compressive force C will be
zero.
C: = 0
T: ccw = (48 cm) T (sin 12°) = (48 cm) T (0.208)
= (9.98 cm) T
w1: cw = (36 cm)(480 N) = 17 280 cm-N
w2: cw = (72 cm)(60 N) = 4 320 cm-N
w3: cw = (48 cm)(294 N) = 14 112 cm-N

ccw = cw
(9.98 cm) T = (17 280 + 4 320 + 14 112) cm-N
(9.98 cm) T = 35 712 cm-N
T = 3 580 N
Cx = 3 580 N
0.208 T = Cy + 834 N
0.208 (3 580 N) = Cy + 834 N
745 N = Cy + 834 N
Cy = – 89 N
The negative sign here simply means that while we assumed
that Cy pointed down, Cy actually points up.

PHY 1150, Homework, Chapter 8, page 14