Equilibrium of Concurrent, Coplanar Force Systems

Equilibrium of Concurrent, Coplanar Force Systems • EF 202 - Week 5

Equilibrium • Newton’s First Law - If, and only if, an object’s “mass center” has zero acceleration, then the sum of ALL of the forces acting on the object (body) is zero. • Where is a body’s mass center? We’ll study that in Module 4. But in this class, the entire body is atrest, so we know that the mass center, wherever it is, has zero acceleration.

Problem Solving Strategy • Identify ALL forces acting on the body by making a “free-body diagram” (FBD). • Invoke Newton’s First Law. (Add all the force vectors on the FBD and set the result equal to zero.) • Solve.

Free-Body Diagram • Define the “body.” • “Free” the body from the rest of the world by cutting through EVERYTHING that connects the body to anything else. • Sketch the freed body. • To the sketch, add EVERY force that is (or may be) acting on the body.

Concurrent, Coplanar Force System • Coplanar system • The lines of action of all forces lie in a common plane. • Concurrent system • The lines of action of all forces intersect at a common point.

Independent Equations • In a given problem, we can find only as many unknowns as we have independent equations. • For a system of coplanar, concurrent forces, Newton’s First Law yields only two independent equations for a given FBD.

Problem 3-4 Find magnitude and direction of F. 1. Make FBD. 2. Newton’s First Law 3. Solve. 1. Figure is already an FBD. 2.

3. Collect and equate components. For the components: (1) For the components: (2) Now, what? COUNT EQUATIONS AND UNKNOWNS!!!!!!! Two equations, (1) and (2), and two unknowns, F and .

From (1) and (2), (3) (4) Now, what? For the angle, divide (4) by (3) to get For the magnitude,

Ideal Cable • Neglect weight (massless). • Neglect bendingstiffness. • Force parallel to cable. • Force only tensile. • Neglect stretching (inextensible).

Problem 3-8 Find the forces in cables AB and AC. 1. Make FBD. 2. Newton’s First Law 3. Solve. 12 kg

COUNT EQUATIONS AND UNKNOWNS!!!!!!!

Problem 3-40 Find the forces in all five cables. Since there are 5 unknowns, we’ll need at least 3 FBD’s. 30kg

Linear Spring - I • Like an ideal cable, but extensible and resists either stretching or shortening. • Force is either tensile or compressive. • When the force is zero, the spring is undeformed and its length is called its free length or natural length. • When the force is not zero, it is proportional to the spring’s deformation (stretch or contraction).

Linear Spring - II • The constant of proportionality between the force in a spring and its deformation is called the spring’s stiffness or its springrate. • Stiffness is usually represented by the letter k.

Equation for Spring Tension Compression OR

Assumed Tension • Directions of loads are reversed on objects to which springs are attached (Newton III).

Assumed Compression • Direction assumed for spring load cannot be wrong! • Equation used for spring load can be wrong!

Problem 3-14 Spring AB is stretched 3m. What is the mass of the suspended block?

Equilibrium of Concurrent, Coplanar Force Systems