Transcript Document
Chapter 8: Equilibrium and Mechanical Advantage
Equilibrium: stability, steadiness, balance etc.
Mechanical Equilibrium: absence of change in motion
=> Net Force = 0 !
(usually, no motion)
F 0
sum of x force components =
sum of y force components =
F
F
x
0
y
0
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How to approach an equilibrium problem:
• Draw the forces that act on the object (i.e. draw a free-body
diagram)
• Choose a convenient set of coordinate axis and resolve all
forces into components. Watch carefully for appropriate use of
+/- signs.
• Set the sum of the force components along each axis equal to 0.
• Solve the resulting equations for the unknown quantity or
quantities.
• Substitute numerical values of the known quantities to find the
answer.
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Hypothetical Example: mass hanging from two ropes as shown.
TB
q
TBy
f
B
A
TA
f
q
TAy
TBx
TAx
M
W = Mg
TAx TA cosq
TAy TA sin q
F
F
TBx TB cos f
TBy TB sin f
W
Horizontal Component s
Vertical Components
x
TAx TBx TA cosq TB cos f 0 Horizontal direction
y
TAy TBy TA sinq TB sin f W
Vertical direction
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Example: mass hanging from two ropes as shown. Determine the
tension in each rope.
37o
Draw the forces that act on the object (i.e. draw a
free-body diagram)
60o
B
A
10kg
Choose a convenient set of coordinate axis and
resolve all forces into components. Watch carefully
for appropriate use of +/- signs.
Set the sum of the force components along each axis
equal to 0.
Solve the resulting equations for the unknown
quantity or quantities.
Substitute numerical values of the known quantities
to find the answer.
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Example: A 100-N box is suspended from the end of a (pivoted)
horizontal strut, as shown. Find the tension in the cable and the
force exerted on the strut.
30o
w
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Rotational Equilibrium
Rotational Equilibrium: absence of change in rotation
=> net torque is zero
(usually: no rotation)
0
for all torques lying in the same plane
Watch signs for torque
F
L
Positive torque for counterclockwise
rotation: = F L
L
F
Negative torque for clockwise
rotation: = F L
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Example: The weight of an unknown mass located 15 cm from the pivot on a beam is
exactly balanced by the weight of a 10 kg mass located at 45 cm. Determine the
unknown mass.
10 kg
? kg
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Kinds of equilibrium: (demos with cone)
Stable Equilibrium: object tends to return to equilibrium after
a small disturbance.
Unstable Equilibrium: object tends to change rapidly away
from equilibrium after a small disturbance.
Neutral Equilibrium: object has no tendency towards or away
from equilibrium after a small disturbance.
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Center of Gravity (CG):
the point of an object from which it could be suspended
without tending to rotate.
The point where all the mass of an object can be considered
to be located.
CG does not need to be located within the physical object!
Horseshoe, for example
usually easily identified from symmetry.
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Example 8.7: A 60 kg woman stands at the end of a uniform 4m, 50 kg diving board
supported as shown. Determine the forces exerted by the two supports.
4.00 m
.800 m
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Example: A horizontal beam 4 m long is supported at one end by a vertical post and at
the other end by a cable which makes an angle of 40o with the beam. A load of 1500
Kg is suspended from the outer end of the beam, which itself has a mass of 250 kg.
Find the tension in the cable.
40o
w
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Example: A ladder 4.00 m long is leaning against a frictionless wall with its lower end
1.6 m away from the wall. If the ladder weighs 150N, what forces do the wall and the
ground exert on it?
4.0 m
q
1.6 m
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Finding the center of gravity:
weight of “pieces” provides torque = torque by total mass at
CM
m1 gx1 m2 gx 2 M tot gX
CM
location
m1 x1 m2 x 2
X
m1 m2
(this can be extended to 2 and 3 dimensions with y,z)
example: balance in lab
Forces through CM do not cause rotation
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