DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

ZZ1001D Engineering Mechanics

1. If the coefficient of static friction at all contacting surfaces in Fig. 1 is 𝜇𝑠 , determine the inclination 𝜃 at which the
identical blocks, each of weight W, begin to slide.

2. What force F is needed to get the 300 kg block shown in Fig. 2 to move to the right? The coefficient of static
friction for all surfaces is 0.3.

Figure 1 Figure 2

3. What is the minimum force F to hold the cylinders, each weighing 100 lb shown in Fig. 3? Take 𝜇𝑠 = 0.2 for all
surfaces of contact.

4. Can the system in Fig. 4 be in static equilibrium in the position shown? The uniform bar AB weighs 500 lb, and the
weight of block C is 300 lb. Friction at A is negligible, and the coefficient of static friction is 0.4 at the other two
contact surfaces.

Figure 3 Figure 4

5. Find the cord tension, the friction forces, and whether the blocks in Fig. 5 move if 𝜇 = 0.2?
6. The strut AB of negligible mass is hinged to the horizontal surface at A and to the uniform 25-kg wheel at B as
shown in Fig. 6. Determine the minimum couple M applied to the wheel which will cause it to slip if the coefficient of
static friction between the wheel and the surface is 0.4.

Figure 5 Figure 6

7. The uniform slender rod is slowly lowered from the upright position (𝜃 = 90°) by means of the cord attached to its
upper end and passing under the small fixed pulley. If the rod is observed to slip at its lower end when 𝜃 = 40°,
determine the coefficient of static friction at the horizontal surface.

8. Determine the magnitude P of the horizontal force required to initiate motion of the block of mass m0 for the cases
(a) P is applied to the right and (b) P is applied to the left. Complete a general solution in each case, and then evaluate
your expression for the values 𝜃 = 30°, 𝑚 = 𝑚0 = 3 kg, 𝜇𝑠 = 0.6, and 𝜇𝑘 = 0.5.
 Figure 8
Figure 7

9. The 180 lb man climbs up the ladder and stops at the position shown in Fig. 9 after he senses that the ladder
is on the verge of slipping. Determine the inclination of the ladder if the coefficient of static friction between the
friction pad A and the ground is 0.4. Assume the wall at B is smooth. The center of gravity for the man is at G.
Neglect the weight of the ladder.

10. The uniform pole of length l and mass m is placed against the supporting surfaces shown in Fig. 10. If the
coefficient of static friction is 𝜇𝑠 = 0.25 at both A and B, determine the maximum angle θ at which the pole can be
placed before it begins to slip.

Figure 9 Figure 10

11. Determine the smallest horizontal force P required to pull out wedge A (Fig. 11). The crate has a weight of 300 lb
and the coefficient of static friction at all contacting surfaces is 𝜇𝑠 = 0.3. Neglect the weight of the wedge.

12. The homogeneous semicylinder rests on a horizontal surface and is subjected to the force P applied to a cord
firmly attached to its periphery (Fig. 12). The force P is slowly increased and kept normal to the flat surface of the
semicylinder. If slipping is observed just as θ reaches 40°, determine the coefficient of static friction 𝜇𝑠 and the value
of P when slipping occurs.

Figure 11 Figure 12

13. The system of two blocks, cable, and fixed pulley is initially at rest (Fig. 13). Determine the horizontal force
P necessary to cause motion when (a) P is applied to the 5 kg block and (b) P is applied to the 10 kg block.
Determine the corresponding tension T in the cable for each case.

14. A clockwise couple M is applied to the circular cylinder as shown in Fig. 14. Determine the value of M required to
initiate motion for the conditions mB = 3 kg, mC = 6 kg, (𝜇𝑠 )𝐵 = 0.5, (𝜇𝑠 )𝐶 = 0.4, and r = 0.2 m. Friction between the
cylinder C and the block B is negligible.
 Figure 13 Figure 14

15. The uniform 100-lb plank in Fig. (a) is resting on friction surfaces at A and B. The coefficients of static friction are
shown in the figure. If a 200-lb man starts walking from A toward B, determine the distance x when the plank will start
to slide.

Figure 15