Ch.

(1): Concurrent Coplanar Forces

1- The force:

A force is any push or pull applied to an object resulting from the object's interaction with another object
and tends to maintain or alter the motion of a body or to distort it. Force is the appearance of action of one
particle or body on the other.

2- Characteristics of the force:

→
A Force is a vector quantity which may be denoted by F1 and its magnitude by F1 . It is represented
graphically by an arrow or directed line segment and has the following basic characteristics:

i) Magnitude is the length of the arrow measured by Newton (N) or (kN).

ii) Direction is the angle between a reference line (may be positive x-

Line of action
axis) and the arrow from tail A to head B measured positive for
counterclockwise (anticlockwise) and negative for clockwise. B
F head
iii) Point of application is that point at which the force is applied.
tail θ x
iv) Line of action is the line that passes through the point at which A
the force is applied in the same direction as the vector. Point of application

v) In case of rigid body, the force follows the principle of transmissibility which states that “the point
of application of a force on a rigid body can be moved anywhere along its line of action without
changing the external reaction forces”.

3- Collinear Force System

F3 F1
The lines of action of all the forces of a system act along the same F2
line.

4- Parallel Forces
F3 F2
The lines of action of all forces of a system are parallel.

5- Coplanar Force System F1

The lines of action of all forces lie in a single plane.

6- Concurrent coplanar Force System

The lines of actions of all forces meet at one point in a single plane.

7- Parallelogram Law of force addition (resultant force):

The parallelogram law gives the rule for

F1 B
vector addition of vectors without proof.
F2
R D R β
Let two forces F1 and F2 are acting (II ) α
simultaneously at a point A (tail) with an F2 F2 (I )
α θ α θ
angle between them α. If they represented A F1 F1 C
A
both in magnitude and direction by the

1
adjacent sides of a parallelogram drawn from a point A (AC and BD), then the resultant force R is
represented by the diagonal of the parallelogram for both magnitude AB and direction θ measured from F1
and passing through point A.

8- Triangle of forces

It is half portion of parallelogram (triangle (I) or triangle (II)).

If two forces acting at a point are represented in B

F1 B R F2
magnitude and direction by the two adjacent sides of
α β
a triangle taken in order (triangle (I) AC for F1 then θ R α
D
CB for F2) or (triangle (II) AD for F2 then DB for
F2 θ C
F1), then the closing side of the triangle taken in the β F1
reversed order represents the resultant R of the forces A (II ) A (I )
for both magnitude (AB) and direction (θ) from F1.

The magnitude can be obtained from cosine law.

R = F12 + F22 − 2 F1 F2 cos (180 − α ) = F12 + F22 + 2 F1 F2 cos α
The direction can be obtained from sine law.
F1 F R F sin α
= 2 = Then ∴ sin θ = 2
sin β sin θ sin( 180− α) R

Note that:

The triangle of forces can be used to resolve a given force F into two forces which are either
perpendicular to each other or inclined to each other for different cases. These forces are called the
components of the force F that produce the same influence of the force F. The components of the
force can be obtained if:

a- The directions of the two components are known, so the magnitude of the two components can be
determined.

b- One of the components is known magnitude and direction, so the other component of magnitude
and direction can be determined.

c- The magnitudes of the two components are known, so the direction of the two components can be
determined.

9- Resolution of a Force into Perpendicular Components (Rectangular Components)

Consider a force F acting at point O that is inclined angle θ y

with x-axis. Let x and y are the axes passing through point O F
F
perpendicular to each other. Then the triangle force becomes F
right angle triangle which contains the component in x- y Fy
direction (Fx) and the component in y- direction (Fy) as the θ x θ
adjacent sides of the triangle and the force F as the O Fx Fx
hypotenuse. Then:
Fy
F x = F cos θ , Fy = F sin θ and F = Fx2 + Fy2 , tan θ =
Fx

2
 10- Resultant of concurrent coplanar forces analytically

The method is depending on the resolution of a force y y

into two perpendicular components. R F1 y
F2 y F1
Ry F2
•
≡
Resolve all forces in x and y directions.
α θ2 θ1 F1 x
• Define the positive direction for the O Rx
x O F3 x x
F2 x θ3
calculation purpose let it be positive x and y
axis. + +

+ +
• Assume the resultant force (magnitude R F3
F3 y
and direction θ or two components Rx and
Ry) placed in the first quadrant.

• Apply the equivalence principle to calculate the components of the resultant force in x and y
directions by taking into consideration the sign of the force components which are taking
positive in positive x and y axis and negative in negative x and y axis.

→ N → N
R x = ∑ Fix , ↑ R y = ∑ ↑ Fiy
i =1 i =1

• If Rx and Ry are positive quantity, then the components of the resultant in the correct directions.

• If Rx or/and Ry negative then the component of the resultant in the opposite direction.

• In general, if the resultant or any unknown force located in different quadrant than the first
quadrant then the positive sign of the components mean that the assumption direction of the
components is correct and the negative sign mean that the assumption direction of the
components in the opposite direction.

Ry
• The magnitude and direction of the resultant force are: R = R x2 + R y2 , tan α =
Rx

• Since we have only two equations for the resultant, then the number of unknowns should not
exceed two. If the unknowns are more than two, then extra conditions should be given for more
equations.

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 Solved examples on concurrent forces
Example 1: F2 = 150 N
y
For the given forces F1 = 100N and F2 = 150N, find the resultant force.
F1 = 100 N
Solution: 10o
The parallelogram law or the triangle of forces is used with sides F1 and
F2 and then use the trigonometry rules to determine the magnitude and
the direction of the resultant.
15o x

F1 = 100 N
F2 = 150 N
F2 = 150 N F2 = 150 N
β β
R R
y
10o 65o 65o
o
115
65o F1 = 100 N F1 = 100 N
α θ α θ
15o x 15o

Parallelogram law Triangle of forces

Using cosine rule, the magnitude of the resultant force R is:

R = (100) 2 + (150) 2 − 2 × 100 × 150 × cos 115 o = 212.6 N
Apply the sine rule to get the direction of the resultant force θ:
150 100 212 .6
= =
sin α sin β sin 115
150
sin α = sin 115 = 0.639 → α = 39.8o
212.6
∴ θ = α + 39.8 o = 39.8 + 15 = 54.8 o

Example 2:
u
Resolve the horizontal force = into two components in the u and υ 30o
directions. 30o
R = 600 N
Solution υ
Draw the parallelogram that has diagonal R = 600N and two adjacent sides , , or triangle of forces
with sides are Fu, Fv and R. Using trigonometry rules, the components , can be obtained:

Fu Fu
30o
30o 120o
30 o Fυ
30o
R = 600 N R = 600 N
120o
Fυ
Parallelogram law Triangle of forces

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Apply the sine rule:
Fu Fυ 600
= =
sin 120 sin 30 sin 30
∴ Fu = 1039.2 N , Fυ = 600 N

Example (3): F1

The resultant force R of the two forces F1 and F2 is directed in positive x-axis and θ1
= , θ1 = 60. If is minimum, determine the magnitude of , its direction
and the magnitude of the resultant force . θ2 R

Solution F2

The triangle of forces with sides , and is drawn such that the magnitude of F1
is minimum is shown. First, draw the direction of the resultant force and from
its starting point draw the force . The minimum value of F2 is the normal to R F2
from the end of F1. Then:
θ1
F2 = F1 sin θ 1 = 800 sin 60 = 962.8 N
R θ2
R = F1 cos θ 1 = 800 cos 60 = 400 N , θ 2 = 90 o

Example 4: R y

The resultant force R of the two forces , has amagnitude of F2

= and its direction = °
. If is directed in positive x-axis φ
and its magnitude = , determine the magnitude of and its θ x

direction . F1

Solution
R F2
Draw the triangle of forces with sides are , and . First draw
from starting point to endining point. From starting point of R draw .
φ = 65o 115 o
The line between the end points of R and F1 is F2 θ
From the cosine law: F1
F2 = (4000) 2 + (9380) 2 − 2 × 4000 × 9380 × cos 115 o = 11649 N From sine law:
9380 11649
= → sin θ = 0.73 → θ = 46.9o
sin θ sin 115

Example 5

Determine the resultant force of the four forces shown in the figure.

Solution:

Resolve all the forces in , directions as shown in the figure and then apply the equivalent principle
between the forces and the resultant to obtain the components Rx, Ry of the resultant force.

5
 y
4
500 ×
5 F1 = 500 N
y F1 = 500 N
F2 = 200 N
≡
F2 = 200 N 5
5 4 4
3 3 3
520 ×
12 500 ×
13 5
13 60o x 13 60o x
5 5 180 cos 60
12 12
F3 = 520 N F3 = 520 N
+
+ F4 = 180 N 5 F4 = 180 N
+ 520 × +
13
180 sin 60

R x = ∑ Fx
3 12
R x = 500 × + 180 × cos 60 − 520 × = − 90
5 13 R y = 244.12 N
Ry = ∑ Fy
4 5 R
R y = 500 × + 200 − 180 × sin 60 − 520 × = 244.12 N
5 13 θ φ
R = R y = (−90) 2 + (244.12) 2 = 260.18N R x = 90 N
244.12
θ = tan −1 ( ) = 69.76o → φ = 180 − θ = 110.23o
90

Example 6 + y
F1
The resultant force of the three forces , , has a +
magnitude = and its direction is in positive u-axis
as shown in the figure. Determine the magnitude of and θ x
its direction . 45 o F2 = 130 N
5
Solution F 3 = 90 N 4 R
3 u
Choose the normal coordinates axis , , find the components of the forces and the resultant in ,
directions, then apply the equivalent principle between the forces and the resultant we get:
R x = ∑ Fx
3
R cos 45 = F1 x + F2 − F3 ( )
5
1 3
F1 x = 80( ) − 130 + 90( ) = −19.43
2 5
Ry = ∑ Fy
4 F1 y = 15.43 N
− R sin 45 = F1 y − F3 ( )
5 F1
4 1
F1 y = 90( ) − 80( ) = 15.43 θ
5 2 φ
F1 = F12x + F12y 2
= ( −19.43) + (15.43) = 24.81 N 2
F1 x = 19.43 N
15.43
φ = tan −1 ( ) = 38.45 o → θ = 180 − φ = 141.54 o
19.43
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Example 7 + y
F1 = 20 kN
Determine the magnitude of the force so that the resultant + 5 3
force is minimum of the three forces , , . Also determine R
the magnitude and the direction of the resultant force. 4
θ
45o x
F 3 = 12 kN
Solution F2
Choose the normal coordinates , and apply the condition of equivalence principle between the resultant
force and the forces. Assume the resultant force located in the first quadrant with two normal
components , . First find R as a function of F2, then for R to be minimum apply the condition
= .
R x = ∑ Fx
4 1
R x = 20( ) − F2 cos 45 = 16 − F2 ( ) (1)
5 2
Ry = ∑ Fy
3 1
R y = 20( ) − 12 + F2 sin 45 = 12 − 12 + F2 ( ) (2)
5 2
F F
R 2 = (16 − 2 ) 2 + ( 2 ) 2 (3)
2 2
dR F 1 F 1
2R = 2(16 − 2 )(− ) + 2( 2 )( ) = 0
dF2 2 2 2 2
∴ F2 = 11 .31 N
Substitute F2 into eqnations1,2 and 3 we get
R x = 8 N , R y = 8 N , Q R = R x2 + R 2y = 11 .31 N , θ = 45o

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Assignment (1): concurrent and coplaner forces Problem 1-1

For the given forces shown, if F1 = 2 kN ,

x F2 = 6 kN then:
o
45
60 o
θ

F1
F2
R

1) The magnitude of the resultant force R is (kN):

(a) 7.8 (b) 5.8 (c) 6.8 (d) 8.8
2) The direction of the resultant measured clockwise from the positive x -axis is ( o ) :
(a) 103.5 (b) 76.5 (c) 283.5 (d) 256.5

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Assignment (1): cocnurrent and coplaner forces Problem 1-2

Resolve the given force R into two

υ components in u and υ directions. If
R = 30 N , α = 30 o , θ = 15 o then:
θ

α
u x

1) The component of R in u direction is (N):

(a) 14.97 (b) 21.97 (c) 25.97 (d) 10.97
2) The component of R in υ direction is (N):
(a) 30.5 (b) 26.5 (c) 15.5 (d) 12.5

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Assignment (1): cocnurrent and coplaner forces Problem 1-3

u A force F has two components Fu in u direction

F and Fυ in υ direction as shown. If
Fu Fu = 6 kN , α = 30 o and θ = 45 o then:
θ

Fυ
α
υ

1) The magnitude of F is (kN):

(a) 3.11 (b) 2.11 (c) 4.11 (d) 5.11
2) The magniude of Fυ is (kN):
(a) 3.39 (b) 5.39 (c) 6.39 (d) 4.39

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Assignment (1): cocnurrent and coplaner forces Problem 1-4

The direction of the resultant force R of the two

x forces F1 and F2 along positive x -axis. If
F1
F1 = 2 kN , α = 30 o and F2 is minimum then:

α R
y
θ

F2

1) The magniude of R is (kN):

(a) 2.73 (b) 1.73 (c) 3.73 (d) 0.73
2) The magnitude of F2 minimum is (kN):
(a) 3.0 (b) 2.0 (c) 1.0 (d) 4.0
3) The angle θ for F2 minimum is ( o ) :
(a) 90 (b) 60 (c) 120 (d) 150

And if R = 10 kN and α = 30 o then :

4) The magniude of F1 is (kN):

(a) 10.66 (b) 9.66 (c) 8.66 (d) 7.66
5) The magnitude of F2 minimum is (kN):
(a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 7 (d) 5
6) The angle θ for F2 minimum is ( o ) :
(a) 120 (b) 60 (c) 120 (d) 30

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Assignment (1): cocnurrent and coplaner forces Problem 1-5

For the given forces shown, if

F1 = 700 N , F2 = 400 N , F3 = 600 N ,
y
4
α = 30 o , tan θ = then:
3
F3 F2
F1
θ α
x

1) The magnitude of the resultant force R is (N):

(a) 254 (b) 2254 (c) 3254 (d) 1254
2) The direction of the resultant measured anticlockwise from the positive x -axis is ( o ) :
(a) 259 (b) 79 (c) 169 (d) 59

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Assignment (1): cocnurrent and coplaner forces Problem 1-6
The magnitude of the resultant force of the
two forces F1 and F2 shown is R = 1500 N
y and it is directed in positive y -axis. If
F2 = 700 N , α = 60 o then:
F1
F2
θ α
x

1) The magnitude of F1 is (N):

(a) 960 (b) 900 (c) 800 (d) 1000
2) The angle θ is ( o ) :
(a) 60.6 (b) 80.6 (c) 68.6 (d) 50.6

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Assignment (1): cocnurrent and coplaner forces Problem 1-7

The direction of the resultant force R of

F2 y u the three forces F1 , F2 , F3 in the positive
u -axis as shown. If F1 is minimum and
F1
F2 = 650 N , F3 = 500 N , α = 45 o , β = 45 o ,
α
γ 4
θ tan γ = then:
x 3
β

F3

1) The magnitude of the resultant R is (N):

(a) 91.9 (b) 105.9 (c) 122.9 (d) 83.9
2) The magnitude of F1 minimum is (N):
(a) 214.5 (b) 125.5 (c) 143.5 (d) 56.5
3) The angle θ for F1 minimum is ( o ) :
(a) 60 (b) 45 (c) 300 (d) 315

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Assignment (1): cocnurrent and coplaner forces Problem 1-8
R is the resultant force of the three forces F1 , F2
y F1 , F3 as shown. If R is minimum and F2 = 200 N ,
12
F3 = 260 N , α = 30 o , tan β = then:
R 5
α
θ
β F2 x

F3

1) The magnitude of R is (N):

(a) 280.0 (b) 380.0 (c) 180.0 (d) 480.0
2) The magnitude of F1 is(N):
(a) 47.8 (b) 37.8 (c) 57.8 (d) 67.8
3) The angle θ for R minimum measured counterclockwise is ( o ) :
(a) 150 (b) 330 (c) 210 (d) 30

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Assignment (1): cocnurrent and coplaner forces Problem 1-9

A tower is carring four telephon

wires at its top as shown. If the
27 o 17 o x magnitude of the resultant force is
o
40 R = 73 N then:
130 N 50 N
F 70 N

1) The magnitude of F is (N):

(a) 133.3N (b) 98.1N (c) 113.8N (d) 122.6N
2) The direction of the resultant measured clockwise from the positive x -axis is ( o ) :
(a) 74.8o (b) 114.2o (c) 65.2o (d) 34.8o
3) The number of solutions is :
(a) 4 (b) 1 (c) 3 (d) 2
4) The magnitude of F for R minimum is (N):
(a) 112.6N (b) 144.3N (c) 76.3N (d) 167.1N
5) The magnitude of R minimum is (N):
(a) 106.2N (b) 86.4N (c) 66.3N (d) 54.1N

16
Assignment (1): cocnurrent and coplaner forces Problem 1-10
For the given forces shown, if
y
F1 = 170 N , F2 = 90 N , F3 = 200 N ,
F4 F1
F4 = 120 N , α = 50o , β = 40o , then:
5
4
3
α x
F3 β

F2

1) The magnitude of the resultant R is (N) :

(a) 192.7 (b) 223.6 (c) 273.2 (d) 293.2
2) The direction of the resultant measured cunterclockwise from positive x -axis is ( o )
(a) 82.7 (b) 105.6 (c) 119.1 (d) 224.3
If F1 , F3 , F4 , α as given in previous part, and the resutant force R = 180 N directed
along F4 then:

3) The magnitude of F2 is (N):

(a) 186.3N (b) 98.8N (c) 47.7N (d) 72.2N
4) The angle β is ( o ) :
(a) 56.4 (b) 236.4 (c) 123.6 (d) 303.6

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