INTRODUCTION TO

MECHANICS, VECTOR
ADDITION , PARTICLE
STATICS (2D),
VECTORS IN 3D , DOT
PRODUCT AND
PARTICLE STATICS (3D)
 What is Mechanics?
Mechanics is defined as the science that describes and predicts the
conditions mof rest or motion of bodies under the action of forces. It
consists of the mechanics of rigid bodies, mechanics of deformable
bodies, and mechanics of fluids.
 Statics and Dynamics
Statics studies objects that are either at rest, or in constant motion,
that is a motion with constant velocity as to its magnitude and
direction. Dynamics studies objects with acceleration. Dynamics is
divided into kinematics and kinetics.
Particle vs Rigid Body
 Applications of Engineering
Mechanics
It is used in various fields, including aerospace engineering, biomedical
engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical
engineering, and mechanical engineering. It plays an important role in
designing and analysing many mechanical systems, such as aircraft,
automobiles, bridges, buildings, machinery, pipelines, ships, satellites,
and spacecraft.
Basic Concepts and Principles of Engineering
Mechanics
Newton’s Laws of Motion
System of Units in Physical
Science
 VECTORS
Vectors are defined as mathematical expressions possessing magnitude
and direction, which add according to the parallelogram law
 ADDITION OF VECTOR
Arranging the given vectors in tip-to-tail fashion and connecting the tail
of the first vector with the tip of the last one. This is known as the
polygon rule for the addition of vectors
 ADDITION OF VECTORS
A. Parallelogram Method
 ADDITION OF VECTOR
B. Component Method

In order to add two random vectors, we simply break each into

components. We then add the x-components together. Then we add
the y-components together. Finally, we use the Pythagorean theorem
to find the resultant and the trig functions to find the direction
RESULTANT OF SEVERAL
CONCURRENT FORCES
Consider a particle A acted upon by several coplanar forces, i.e., by
several forces contained in the same plane. Because the forces all pass
through A, they are also said to be concurrent. We can add the vectors
representing the forces acting on A by the polygon rule.
RESULTANT OF SEVERAL
CONCURRENT FORCES
 Rectangular Components
of a Force: Unit Vectors
To simplify working with rectangular components, we introduce two
vectors of unit magnitude, directed respectively along the positive x
and y axes. These vectors are called unit vectors and are denoted by i
and j, respectively
 I. SCALAR COMPONENTS
Denoting by F the magnitude of the force F and by θ the angle between
F and the x axis, which is measured counterclockwise from the positive
x axis
 Addition of Forces by Summing
x and y
Components
Consider, for instance, three forces P, Q, and S acting on a particle A.
Their resultant R is defined by the relation R = P + Q + S
 Addition of Forces by Summing
x and y
Components
• When several forces are acting on a particle, we obtain the scalar
components Rx and Ry of the resultant R by adding algebraically the
corresponding scalar components of the given forces
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
Knowing that α = 35°, determine the resultant of the three forces
Shown
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
Knowing that the tension in cable BC is 725 N, determine the resultant
of the three forces exerted at point B of beam AB.
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 3
Two forces P and Q act on a bolt A. Determine their resultant
 FORCES AND EQUILIBRIUM
IN A PLANE
• When the resultant of all the forces acting on a particle is zero, the
Particle is in equilibrium
EQUILIBRIUM OF A PARTICLE
 Newton’s First Law
If the resultant force acting on a particle is zero, the particle will
remain at rest (if originally at rest) or will move with constant speed
in a straight line (if originally in motion).
 FREE BODY DIAGRAMS
• Free body diagrams (otherwise known as FBD's) are simplified
representations in a problem of an object (the body), and the force
vectors acting on it. This body is free because the diagram will show it
without its surroundings; i.e. the body is 'free' of its environment.
FBD Representation
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 4
Two cables are tied together at C and loaded as shown. Draw the free
body diagram needed to determine the tension in AC and BC.
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 5
A welded connection is in equilibrium under the action of the four
forces shown. Knowing that FA = 8 kN and FB = 16 kN , determine the
magnitudes of the other two forces
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 6
If the mass of the rightmost block is 75 kg , mass of the leftmost block
is 25 kg, and d = 600 mm, determine the value of
h consistent with equilibrium
 Cartesian Vectors
Rectangular Components of a Vector

Cartesian Unit Vectors and

Representation
Magnitude of Cartesian Vector
 Direction of Cartesian Vector
We will define the direction of A by the coordinate direction angles a
(alpha), (beta), and (gamma), measured between the tail of A and the
positive x, y, z axes provided they are located at the tail of A.
Direction of Cartesian Vector
 The unit vector Ua
A = Ax i + Ay j + Az k
 The unit vector Ua
Finally, if the magnitude and coordinate direction angles of A are
known, then A may be expressed in Cartesian vector form as
Addition of Cartesian Vectors
A = Ax i + Ay j + Az k

B = Bxi + Byj + Bzk

 SAMPLE PROBLEM 7
Express the force F shown as a Cartesian vector
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 8
Determine the magnitude and the coordinate direction angles of the
resultant force acting on the ring
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 9
Two forces act on the hook shown in Figure. Specify the magnitude
Of F2 and its coordinate direction angles of F2 that the resultant force
Fr acts along the positive y axis and has a magnitude of 700 N.
 POSITION VECTOR
A position vector r is defined as a fixed vector which locates a point in
space relative to another point. For example, if r extends from the
origin of coordinates, O, to point P(x, y, z), then r can be expressed in
Cartesian vector form as
Addition of Two Position Vectors
Addition of Two Position Vectors
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 10
An elastic rubber band is attached to points A and B as shown in
Figure. Determine its length and its direction measured from A
toward B
SOLUTION
 Force Vector Directed Along a
Line
Quite often in three-dimensional statics problems, the direction of a
force is specified by two points through which its line of action passes
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 11
The man shown in figure pulls on the cord with a force of 70 lb.
Represent this force acting on the support A as a Cartesian vector and
determine its direction
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 12
The force in Figure acts on the hook. Express it as a Cartesian vector
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 11
Determine the magnitude of the resultant force
at A
 DOT PRODUCT
Occasionally in statics one has to find the angle between two lines or
the components of a force parallel and perpendicular to a line

The dot product of vectors A and B, written A dot B and read “A dot B,”
is defined as the product of the magnitudes of A and B and the cosine
of the angle theta between their tails.
Laws of Operation
Cartesian Vector Formulation
General Rule
 Angle Formed Between two
Vectors or Intersecting Lines
The components of a vector
parallel and perpendicular to a
line
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 12
Determine the magnitudes of the projections of the force F in figure
onto the u and v axes
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 13
The frame shown in Figure is subjected to a horizontal force
F = {300 j} N. Determine the magnitudes of the components of this
force parallel and perpendicular to member AB
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 14
The pipe in Figure is subjected to the force of F = 80 N.
Determine the angle theta between F and the pipe
segment BA and the projection of F along this segment
3-D Force System Equilibrium

These three equations state that the algebraic sum of

the components of all the forces acting on the
particle along each of the coordinate axes must be
zero
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 15
If the 450-N load in figure is supported by two cables and a spring
having a stiffness k = 8 kN/m, Determine the force in the cables and
the stretch of the spring for equilibrium. Cable AD lies in the x–y
plane and cable AC lies in the x–z plane
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 16
The 10-kg lamp in figure is suspended from the three equal-length
cords. Determine the smallest vertical distance s from the ceiling if the
force developed in any cord is not allowed to exceed 40 N.
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 17
Determine the force in each cable used to support the 45
kg crate
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 18
Determine the tension in each cord used to support the 250-kg crate
Shown