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mechanics 2

The document discusses the equilibrium of a particle, emphasizing the importance of free-body diagrams (FBD) in analyzing forces acting on a particle. It outlines the conditions for equilibrium, types of supports, and procedures for drawing FBDs and applying equations of equilibrium. Several examples illustrate the application of these concepts in solving equilibrium problems.

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Kasun Sameera
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7 views16 pages

mechanics 2

The document discusses the equilibrium of a particle, emphasizing the importance of free-body diagrams (FBD) in analyzing forces acting on a particle. It outlines the conditions for equilibrium, types of supports, and procedures for drawing FBDs and applying equations of equilibrium. Several examples illustrate the application of these concepts in solving equilibrium problems.

Uploaded by

Kasun Sameera
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Mechanics

EGT 21301

Dr. N.A. Weerasekara


Dept. of Engineering Technology
1
Lecture 2
Equilibrium of a Particle
Lecture Objectives

1. To introduce the concept of the free-body diagram for a particle.

2. To show how to solve particle equilibrium problems using the equations of


equilibrium.

2
Condition for the Equilibrium
• A particle is said to be in equilibrium if it remains at rest if
originally at rest, or has a constant velocity if originally in
motion

• To maintain equilibrium, it is necessary to satisfy Newton’s first


law of motion, which requires the resultant force acting on a
particle to be equal to zero

∑𝑭 = 0
3
Free-Body Diagram (FBD)

• To apply the equation of equilibrium, we must account for all the


known and unknown forces (∑𝑭) which act on the particle

• The best way to do this is to think of the particle as isolated and


“free” from its surroundings

• A drawing that shows the particle with all the forces that act on it
is called a free-body diagram (FBD)
4
Types of Supports
1. Linearly Elastic Springs

l0 = Undeformed length
s = Elongated or compressed distance
F = Force acting on the spring
k = Spring constant or stiffness

𝐹 = 𝑘𝑠

5
Types of Supports
2. Cables and Pulleys
• All cables (or cords) will be assumed to have negligible weight
(unless otherwise stated) and they cannot stretch.
• A cable can support only a tension or “pulling” force, and this
force always acts in the direction of the cable
• The tension force developed in a continuous cable which passes
over a frictionless pulley must have a constant magnitude to
keep the cable in equilibrium
6
Types of Supports
3. Smooth Contact

• If an object rests on a smooth surface, then


the surface will exert a force on the object that
is normal to the surface at the point of
contact

7
Drawing a Free-Body Diagram
• Draw Outlined Shape
Make the particle isolate or cut “free” from its surroundings
(Remove all the supports)

• Show All Forces


Indicate all the forces that act on the particle. To account for all
these forces, it may be helpful to trace around the particle’s
boundary, carefully noting each force acting on it.

• Identify Each Force


Label the know forces with their proper magnitudes and
directions. Use the letters to represent the magnitudes and
directions of unknown forces.
8
Example 1: The sphere in figure has a mass of 6 kg and is supported
as shown. Draw a free-body diagram of the sphere, the
cord CE, and the knot at C.

9
10
Coplanar Force Systems
For equilibrium

∑𝑭 = 0

∑𝐹𝑥𝒊 + ∑𝐹𝑦𝒋 = 0

∑𝐹𝑥 = 0 ∑𝐹𝑦 = 0

11
Procedure for Analysis
Free-Body Diagram
• Establish the x, y axes in any suitable orientation.
• Label all the known and unknown force magnitudes and directions on the diagram.
• The sense of a force having an unknown magnitude can be assumed.
Equations of Equilibrium
• Apply the equations of equilibrium, ∑𝐹𝑥 = 0 and ∑𝐹𝑦 = 0.
• Components are positive if they are directed along a positive axis, and negative if they are directed
along a negative axis.
• Since the magnitude of a force is always a positive quantity, then if the solution for a force yields
a negative result, this indicates that its sense is the reverse of that shown on the free-body
diagram.
12
Example 2: Determine the tension in cables BA and BC necessary to
support the 60-kg cylinder in figure.

13
Example 3: The 200 kg crate in figure is suspended using the ropes
AB and AC. Each rope can withstand a maximum force
of 10 kN before it breaks. If AB always remains
horizontal, determine the smallest angle ɵ to which the
crate can be suspended before one of the ropes breaks.

14
Three-Dimensional Force Systems
For equilibrium

∑𝑭 = 0

∑𝐹𝑥𝒊 + ∑𝐹𝑦𝒋 + ∑𝐹𝑧𝒌 = 0

∑𝐹𝑥 = 0 ∑𝐹𝑦 = 0 ∑𝐹𝑧 = 0

15
Example 4: A 90 kg load is suspended from the hook shown in figure.
If the load is supported by two cables and a spring having
a stiffness k = 500 N/m, determine the force in the cables
and the stretch of the spring for equilibrium. Cable AD lies
in the x–y plane and cable AC lies in the x–z plane.

500 N/m

90 kg
16

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