JJ205

ENGINEERING MECHANICS
CHAPTER 3
EQUILIBRIUM OF PARTICLE
PREPARED BY:
AMRAN BIN AWANG @ MUDA
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
To introduce the concept of the free-body diagram for a
particle.
To show how to solve particle equilibrium problems using
the equations of equilibrium.

Chapter Outline

Condition for the Equilibrium of a Particle

The Free-Body Diagram
Coplanar Systems

CONDITION FOR THE EQUILIBRIUM

OF A PARTICLE
Particle at equilibrium if
- At rest
- Moving at constant a constant velocity
Newtons first law of motion
F = 0
where F is the vector sum of all the
forces acting on the particle

Newtons second law of motion

F = ma

When the force fulfill Newton's first law of motion,

ma = 0
a=0

therefore, the particle is moving in constant velocity or at

rest

The Free-Body Diagram

Best representation of all the unknownforces (F)
which acts on a body
A sketch showing the particle free from the
surroundings with all the forces acting on it
Consider two common connections in this subject
Spring
Cables and Pulleys

Spring

Linear elastic spring: change in length is directly

proportional to the force acting on it
- spring constant or stiffness k:
defines the elasticity of the spring

- Magnitude of force when spring is elongated or

compressed
F = ks

 where s is determined from the difference in springs deformed

length l and its undeformed length lo
s = l - lo
- If s is positive, F pull
onto the spring

- If s is negative, F push
onto the spring

EXAMPLE
Given lo = 0.4m and k = 500N/m
To stretch it until l = 0.6m, A force, F = ks
=(500N/m)(0.6m 0.4m) = 100N is needed
To compress it until l = 0.2m,

A force, F = ks
=(500N/m)(0.2m 0.4m)
= -100N is needed

Cables and Pulley

- Cables (or cords) are assumed to
have
negligible weight and they cannot
stretch
-A cable only support tension or
pulling force
- Tension always acts in the
direction of the cable
- Tension force in a continuous
cable must have a constant
magnitude for equilibrium

For any angle , the

cable is subjected to
a constant tension T
throughout its
length

Procedure for Drawing a

FBD
1. Draw outlined shape
Isolate particle from its surroundings
2. Show all the forces

Indicate all the forces

active forces: set the particle in motion

Reactive forces: result of constraints and

supports that tend to prevent motion

3. Identify each forces

- Known forces should be labeled with proper magnitude
and direction
- Letters are used to represent magnitude and directions
of unknown forces

 A spool is having a weight W

which is suspended from the
crane bottom
Consider FBD at A since these
forces act on the ring
Cables AD exert a resultant
force of W on the ring
Condition of equilibrium is
used to obtained TB and TC

 Each term must be expressed in

the same units
Eg: s = vt + at2 where s is
position in meters (m), t is time
in seconds (s), v is velocity in
m/s and a is acceleration in m/s2

Regardless of how the equation

is evaluated, it maintains its
dimensional homogeneity
All the terms of an equation can
be replaced by a consistent set
of units, that can be used as a
partial check for algebraic
manipulations of an equation

 The bucket is held in

equilibrium by the cable
Force in the cable =
weight of the bucket
Isolate the bucket for
FBD
Two forces acting on
the bucket, weight W
and force T of the cable
Resultant of forces = 0
W=T

Example 3.1
The sphere has a mass
of 6kg and is
supported. Draw a
free-body diagram of
the
sphere, the cord
CE and the knot at C.

FBD at Sphere
Two forces acting,
weight and the
force on cord CE.
Weight of 6kg
(9.81m/s2) = 58.9N

Solution
Cord CE
Two forces acting, force
of the sphere and force
of the knot
Newtons Third Law: FCE
is equal but opposite
FCE and FEC pull the cord
in tension
For equilibrium, FCE =
FEC

 FBD at Knot
Three forces acting, force by cord CBA, cord CE
and spring CD
Important to know that
the weight of the sphere
does not act directly on
the knot but subjected to
by the cord CE

Coplanar Systems
A particle is subjected to coplanar forces in
the x-y plane
Resolve into i and j components for
equilibrium
Fx = 0
Fy = 0
Scalar equations of equilibrium
require that the algebraic sum
of the x and y components to
equal o zero

Coplanar Systems

Scalar Notation

Sense of direction = an algebraic sign that corresponds

to the arrowhead direction of the component along each
axis
For unknown magnitude, assume arrowhead sense of
the force
Since magnitude of the force is always positive, if the
scalar is negative, the force is acting in the opposite
direction

Consider the free-body diagram of

the particle subjected to two forces
Assume unknown force F acts to the
right for equilibrium
Fx = 0 ; + F + 10N = 0
F = -10N
Force F acts towards the left for
equilibrium

 The chain exerts three forces

on the ring at A.
The ring will not move, or will
move with constant velocity,
provided the summation of the
forces along the y axis is zero
With any force known, the
magnitude of other two forces
are found by equations of
equilibrium

Example 3.2
Determine the tension in cables AB and AD for equilibrium
of the 250kg engine.

FBD

 Solution
+ Fx = 0;
+ Fy = 0;

Solving,
TB = 4.90kN
TD = 4.25kN
*Note: Neglect the weights of the cables since
they

are small compared to the weight of the engine

Example 3.3
If the sack at A has a weight of 20N ( 2kg), determine the weight
of the sack at B and the force in each cord needed to hold the
system in the equilibrium position shown.

Example 3.4
Determine the required length of the cord AC so that the 8kg lamp is
suspended. The undeformed length of the spring AB is lAB = 0.4m, and the
spring has a stiffness of kAB = 300N/m.

Chapter Summary
Two Dimensional
Two scalars equations Fx = 0 and Fy =
0 is applied to x, y coordinate system
If the solution is negative, the sense of
the force is opposite to that shown on
the FBD.
If problem involves a linear spring,
stretch or compression can be related to
force by
F = ks