Exercise Workshop 2019-1

Solid Mechanics
1.- A person exerts a 60-lb force F to push a crate
onto a truck. Express F in terms of components.

5.- The total weight of the man and parasail is |𝑊|=230

lb. The drag force D is perpendicular to the lift force
2.- For the truss shown, express the position vector 𝑟𝐴𝐷
L. If the vector sum of the three forces is zero, what
from point A to point D in terms of components. Use
are the magnitudes of L and D?
your result to determine the distance from point A to
point D.

3.- The length of the bar AB is 0.6 m. Determine the

components of a unit vector 𝑒𝐴𝐵 that points from
point A toward point B.

6.- Archaeologists measure a pre-Columbian

ceremonial structure and obtain the dimensions
shown. Determine (a) the magnitude and (b) the
direction cosines of the position vector from point A
to point B.

4.- Four groups engage in a tug-of-war. The magnitudes

of the forces exerted by groups B, C, and D are
|𝐹𝐵 |=800 lb, |𝐹𝐶 |=1000 lb, |𝐹𝐷 |=900 lb. If the vector
sum of the four forces equals zero, what are the
magnitude of 𝐹𝐴 and the angle 𝛼?
7.- A cable extends from point C to point E. It exerts a
50-lb force T on plate C that is directed along the line
from C to E. Express T in terms of scalar components.

8.- The ship O measures the positions of the ship A 11.- The magnitude of the vertical force W is 160 N.
and the airplane B and obtains the coordinates shown. The direction cosines of the position vector from A to
What is the angle 𝜃 between the lines of sight OA and B are cos 𝜃𝑥 = 0.500, cos 𝜃𝑦 = 0.866, and cos 𝜃𝑧 = 0,
OB? and the direction cosines of the position vector from B
to C are cos 𝜃𝑥 = 0.707, cos 𝜃𝑦 = 0.619, and cos 𝜃𝑧 =
0.342. Point G is the midpoint of the line from B to C.
Determine the vector 𝑟𝐴𝐺 × 𝑊, where 𝑟𝐴𝐺 is the
position vector from A to G.

9.- The force 𝐹 = 10𝑖 − 4𝑗 (𝑁). Determine the cross

product 𝑟𝐴𝐵 × 𝐹 .

12.- The mass of the ring is 2 kg. The y-axis points

upward. The angle 𝛼 = 45°.
(a) What is the ring’s weight in newtons?
(b) Determine the forces F1 and F2.
10.- The bar AB is 6 m long and is perpendicular to the
bars AC and AD. Use the cross product to determine
the coordinates 𝑥𝐵 , 𝑦𝐵 , 𝑧𝐵 of point B.
13.- The inclined surface is smooth. The two springs 16.- The person wants to cause the 200-lb crate to start
are identical, with unstretched lengths of 250 mm and sliding toward the right. To achieve this, the horizontal
spring constants k = 1200 N/m. What are the masses component of the force exerted on the crate by the
of blocks A and B? rope must equal 0.35 times the normal force exerted
on the crate by the floor. In Fig. a, the person pulls on
the rope in the direction shown. In Fig. b, the person
attaches the rope to a support as shown and pulls
upward on the rope. What is the magnitude of the
force he must exert on the rope in each case?

14.- A construction worker holds a 180-kg crate in the

position shown. What force must she exert on the
cable?

17.- The forces exerted on the shoes and back of the

72-kg climber by the walls of the “chimney” are
perpendicular to the walls exerting them. The tension
in the rope is 640 N. What is the magnitude of the force
exerted on his back?

15.- A construction worker on the moon (acceleration

due to gravity 1.62 m/s2) holds the same crate
described in Problem 3.22 in the position shown. What
force must she exert on the cable?

18.- The two springs are identical, with unstretched length

0.4 m. When the 50-kg mass is suspended at B, the length
of each spring increases to 0.6 m. What is the spring
constant k?
 friend is 90 kg and the mass of the supplies is 22 kg,
what are the tensions in the ropes AB and CD? Assume
that the slope is smooth.

19.- The suspended mass 𝑚1 = 50 kg. Neglecting the

masses of the pulleys, determine the value of the mass
m2 necessary for the system to be in equilibrium.

22.- The moment exerted about point E by the weight

is 299 in-lb. What moment does the weight exert about
point S?

23.- The 160-N weights of the arms AB and BC of the

20.- The 10-kg collar A and 20-kg collar B are held in
robotic manipulator act at their midpoints. Determine
place on the smooth bars by the 3-m cable from A to
the sum of the moments of the three weights about A.
B and the force F acting on A. The force F is parallel
to the bar. Determine F.

24.- The force F exerted on the grip of the exercise machine

2 2 1
points in the direction of the unit vector 𝑒 = 3 𝑖 − 3 𝑗 + 3 𝑘 k
21.- A climber helps his friend up an icy slope. His and its magnitude is 120 N. Determine the magnitude of the
friend is hauling a box of supplies. If the mass of the moment of F about the origin O.
 29.- Two systems of forces and moments act on the
beam. Are they equivalent?

25.- The force 𝐹 = 20𝑖 + 40𝑗 − 10𝑘 (𝑁). Determine the

moment due to F about the z axis.

26.- The moments of two couples are shown. What is

the sum of the moments about point P?
30.- Represent the two forces and couple acting on the beam
by a force F. Determine F and determine where its line of
action intersects the x axis.

27.- Determine the sum of the moments exerted about

A by the couple and the two forces.

28.- Determine the sum of the moments exerted on the

plate by the three couples. (The 80-lb forces are
contained in the x-z plane.)