Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Equilibrium
Skip sections 12.6 12.7
F net
dP
0
dt
net
dL
0
dt
and
There are no net external torques acting about any axis.
We will treat simple systems in which forces are acting only in the xy plane.
This means any torques due to these forces are along the z axis:
Fnet , x 0
Fnet , y 0
net , z 0
Also: When considering torques: We are free to choose any axis parallel to the
z axis.
This will simplify many problems because if the line of action points
into an axis: those forces do not cause torques.
Example 1.
A meter stick with uniform mass of 1 kg balances in static equilibrium on a pivot
located at its center of mass. A 3 kg mass hangs at the 0 cm mark and a 5 kg
hangs mass somewhere to the right of the pivot.
a) What is the normal force of the pivot on the meter stick?
b) Where should the 5 kg mass hang to insure static equilibrium?
m1 3 kg
m 5 kg
a 50 cm
FN ?
3kg
5kg
and
net ,axis 0
FN
First :
Place force vectors at the proper places.
Equilibrium Condition #1
F net , y FN mR g m1 g mg 0
m1 g
FN mR g m1 g mg 0
FN 2 g 3 g 5 g 0
so
mR g
Fn 10 g 0
mg
ba
m1
3 3
(0.5) 0.30 meters
m
5 10
Given :
Weight of Fireman: WF mF g 72 9.8 706 N
12
9.3
WF
WL
Static Equilibrium:
Fnet , x P H 0
Fnet , y V WL WF 0
From the second equation: V WL WF 706 441 1146 N
First equation gives: P H
net ,axis 0
9.3
LP
WF
WL
net P LP WF LF WL LL
LL
H
V
LF
9.3
9.3
sin 1 50.8
12
12
3791
Which gives: P
408 N and H 408 N too.
9.3
b 2
Tc Fh 0
and
Second: In equilibium:
any axis
Tr mg Fv 0
In solving problems, you are free to choose the location of the axis. Choose an axis
where lots of forces are acting. (Forces whose lines of action intersect the axis create
no torques!)
Choose the axis location at the foot of teh beam where Fh and Fv are acting, since
we don't know their magnitudes. Torque = force x lever arm
Moment arm
for T c
Moment arm
for mg
Moment arm
for Tr
The torque equation alone will give us the required Tc
Note that a free body diagram for the rope and safe alone shows:
Tr Mg 0
so Tr Mg
M 430 kg , m 85 kg , a 1.9 m, b 2.5 m
b
aTc bTr mg 0 so
2
Tc =
b
bTr mg
b
mg
2
Mg
a
a
2
2.5
m
g M 6092 N 6100 N
1.9
2
So the tension is the cable is: Tc 6100 N
Tc =
(b) Find the horizontal and vertical forces of the hinge on the beam.
The linear force laws provide the answer:
Tc Fh 0
Tr mg Fv 0
Fh Tc =6100 N
and from the second equation:
Fv Tr mg Mg mg g ( M m) 5047 N
so
Fv 5047 N
F
39.6
The magnitude of the total force of the hinge on the beam is: F Fh 2 Fv 2 7900 N
and its direction relative to the horizontal: tan
Fv 5047
0.827 so 39.6
Fh 6100
Fv
Fh
10