Chapter 2

Statics of Particles
Learning Outcome
Upon completion of this chapter, student should be able to;

- Forces in a plane and a space;

describe and calculate of the resultant force and resolution of force
components.
draw free body diagram of a particle.
solve particle equilibrium problems using the equation of
equilibrium.
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
2.1 Forces in a Plane

2.1.1 Force on a particle; Resultant force

All the forces acting on a particle will be assumed to be applied at the
same point, that is the forces are assumed concurrent.
There can be many forces acting on a particle.
The resultant of a system of forces on a particle is the single force
which has the same effect as the system of forces. The resultant of
two forces can be found using the parallelogram law.
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
2.1.2 Scalars and vectors
Scalar A mathematical quantity possessing magnitude only.
Eg: area, volume, mass, length
Vectors A mathematical quantity possessing magnitude and
direction.
moment
Eg: forces, velocity, displacement,
Magnitude is designated as A or simply A
Representation of vector
Bold Word Processors Book uses this.
Arrow Long Hand, Word Processors
F or F or F or F
Underline R Long Hand, Typewriter, Word Processors
Represented graphically as an arrow
- Length of arrow = Magnitude of Vector
- Angle between the reference axis and arrows line of action =
Direction of Vector
- Arrowhead = Sense of Vector
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles

Example:
Magnitude of Vector = 4 units
Direction of Vector = 20 measured counterclockwise from the
horizontal axis
Sense of Vector = Upward and to the right
The point O is called tail of the vector and the point P is called
the tip or head
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles

For 2 vectors to be equal they must have the same:

1). Magnitude A A
2). Direction

They do not need to have the same point of application.

A negative vector of a given vector has same
magnitude but opposite direction.
A -A

A and A are equal and opposite A + (-A) = 0

 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
2.1.3 Vector operations
Product of a scalar and a vector
A + A + A = 4A (the number 4 is a scalar)
This is a vector in the same direction as A but 4 times as long.
(+n)A = vector same direction as A, n times as long
(-n)A = vector opposite direction as A, n times as long
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
Vector addition
Addition of two vectors
A and B gives a
resultant vector R by
the parallelogram law.
Result R can be found
by triangle
construction (i.e. head-
to-tail fashion: by
connecting the head A
to the tail of B. The
resultant R extends
from the tail of A to the
head of B.
Addition of vectors is
communicative:
R=A+B=B+A
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
Special case: Vectors A and
B are collinear (both have
the same line of action)
Vector subtraction
Vector subtraction is
defined as the addition of
the corresponding ve
vector.
R = A B = A + ( - B )
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
2.1.4 Resolution of vector
A single vector R can be represented by 2 or more vectors.
These vectors are components of the original vector.
Finding these is called resolving the vector into its
components by the parallelogram law
The two components A and B are drawn such that they
extend from the tail or R to points of intersection
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
When two or more forces are added, successive applications of the
parallelogram law is carried out to find the resultant
Eg: Forces F1, F2 and F3 acts at a point O
- First, find resultant of
F1 + F2
- Resultant,
F R = ( F1 + F2 ) + F 3

2.1.5 Procedure for Analysis

Make a sketch using the parallelogram law
Label all the known and unknown force magnitudes and angles
Redraw half portion of the parallelogram
- Magnitude of the resultant force can be determined by the law of
cosines
- Direction if the resultant force can be determined by the law of
sines
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
- Magnitude of the two components can be determined by
the law of sines
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
2.1.6 Rectangular components of a force
In many problems, it is desirable to
resolve force F into two perpendicular
components in the x and y directions.
Fx and Fy are called rectangular vector
components.
F Fx Fy
Sense of direction along positive x and y
axes
F ' F 'x F ' y
Sense of direction along positive x and
negative y axes
In two-dimensions, the cartesian unit
vectors i and j are used to designate the
directions of x and y axes.
Fx = Fx i and Fy = Fy j
i.e. F = Fx i + Fy j
Fx and Fy are scalar components of F
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
Unit vectors i and j have
dimensionless magnitude of unity
(=1)
F = Fxi + Fy(-j) or F = Fxi Fy j
Consider three coplanar forces
Cartesian vector notation
F1 = F1xi + F1yj
F2 = - F2xi + F2yj
F3 = F3xi F3yj
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
Vector resultant is therefore
F R = F1 + F2 + F 3
= F1xi + F1yj - F2xi + F2yj + F3xi F3yj
= (F1x - F2x + F3x)i + (F1y + F2y F3y)j
= (FRx)i + (FRy)j
If scalar notation are used
FRx = (F1x - F2x + F3x)
FRy = (F1y + F2y F3y)

In all cases,
FRx = Fx
FRy = Fy
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles

Magnitude of FR can be
found by Pythagoras`
Theorem

FR F 2 Rx F 2 Ry
Direction angle
(orientation of the force)
can be found by
trigonometry
FRy
tan 1

FRx
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
2.1.7 Equilibrium of particle
When the resultant of all forces acting on a particle is zero, the particle is
in equilibrium.
Newtons First Law: If the resultant force on a particle is zero, the particle
will remain at rest or will continue at constant speed in a straight line.

Particle acted upon by three or more forces:

Particle acted upon by - graphical solution yields a closed polygon
two forces: - algebraic solution
- equal magnitude
- same line of action R F 0
- opposite sense Fx 0 Fy 0
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
We must account for all the forces acting on a particle. The best way to do
this is to draw an FBD.
An FBD is a sketch of the particle isolated (or free) from its surroundings
shown with all the forces that act on the particle.
Steps for Drawing a FBD
1).Decide which body to analyze
2).Separate this body from everything else and sketch the contour
3).Draw all applied forces
4).Include any necessary dimensions and coordinate axis
Steps 3 and 4- These are external forces
Applied forces - think of these as forces that try to get the particle to move.
Reaction forces - forces that try to prevent motion.
Note: When drawing the forces, if you don't know the direction, assume a direction and let
the sign of the answer tell you if the direction is correct or not.
Rules of FBD
1). Magnitude and direction of all forces should be clearly indicated.
2). Indicate the direction of the force on the body.
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles

Space Diagram: A sketch showing Free-Body Diagram: A sketch showing

the physical conditions of the only the forces on the selected particle.
problem.
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles
2.2 Forces in a Space
2.2.1 Rectangular components

Resolve Fh into

The vector F is rectangular components
Resolve F into
contained in the horizontal and vertical Fx Fh cos
plane OBAC. components. F sin y cos
Fy F cos y
Fy Fh sin
Fh F sin y
F sin y sin
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles

With the angles between F and the axes,
Fx F cos x Fy F cos y Fz F cos z

F Fx i Fy j Fz k

F cos x i cos y j cos z k


F

cos x i cos y j cos z k

is a unit vector along the line of action of F
and cos x , cos y , and cos z are the direction cosines for F
 Chapter 2
Statics of Particles

Direction of the force is defined by

the location of two points,
M x1 , y1 , z1 and N x2 , y2 , z 2

d vector joining M and N

d xi d y j d z k
d x x2 x1 d y y 2 y1 d z z 2 z1

F F
1

d xi d y j d z k
d

Fd x Fd y Fd z
Fx Fy Fz
d d d