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Principles of Equilibrium of Forces

The document discusses the concepts of equilibrium and equilibrant forces. It provides three principles of equilibrium: (1) two force principle, (2) three force principle, and (3) four force principle. It also describes two methods for analyzing equilibrium of coplanar forces - the analytical and graphical methods. The analytical method involves Lami's theorem, which states that if three coplanar forces acting at a point are in equilibrium, then each force is proportional to the sine of the angle between the other two forces. Two sample problems are included to demonstrate solving for tensions and weights using Lami's theorem.

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294 views5 pages

Principles of Equilibrium of Forces

The document discusses the concepts of equilibrium and equilibrant forces. It provides three principles of equilibrium: (1) two force principle, (2) three force principle, and (3) four force principle. It also describes two methods for analyzing equilibrium of coplanar forces - the analytical and graphical methods. The analytical method involves Lami's theorem, which states that if three coplanar forces acting at a point are in equilibrium, then each force is proportional to the sine of the angle between the other two forces. Two sample problems are included to demonstrate solving for tensions and weights using Lami's theorem.

Uploaded by

John joi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

21-01-2021

Equilibrium of Forces

Equilibrium and equilibrant


• When a particle is acted upon by a number of forces, we can get the
resultant of those forces.
• Resultant force will produce the same effect as produced by all the given
forces.
• If the resultant of a number of forces, acting on a particle is zero, the
particle will be in equilibrium. Such a set of forces, whose resultant is zero,
are called equilibrium forces.
• The force, which brings the set of forces in equilibrium is called an
equilibrant.
• The equilibrant is equal to the resultant force in magnitude, but opposite in
direction.

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Principles of equilibrium
• Following three are important principles of equilibrium
• Two force principle: As per this principle, if a body in equilibrium is acted
upon by two forces, then they must be equal, opposite and collinear.
• Three force principle: As per this principle, if a body in equilibrium is acted
upon by three forces, then the resultant of any two forces must be equal,
opposite and collinear with the third force.
• Four force principle: As per this principle, if a body in equilibrium is acted
upon by four forces, then the resultant of any two forces must be equal,
opposite and collinear with the resultant of the other two forces.

Methods for the equilibrium of coplanar forces


• Mainly, there are two methods.
• Analytical method
• Graphical method

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Analytical method for the equilibrium of


coplanar forces – Lami’ s Theorem
Lami’ s theorem
If three coplanar forces acting at a point be in equilibrium, then each force
is proportional to the sine of the angle between the other two.

𝑷 𝑸 𝑹
= =
𝑺𝒊𝒏 𝜶 𝑺𝒊𝒏 𝜷 𝑺𝒊𝒏 𝜸

𝑷, 𝑸 and 𝑹 are three forces and 𝜶, 𝜷 and 𝜸 are the


angles as shown in figure.

Lami’ s theorem - Proof


• Consider three coplanar forces P, Q, and R acting at a point O. Let the
opposite angles to three forces be 𝛼 , 𝛽 and 𝛾 as shown in the figure.
• Complete the parallelogram OACB with OA and OB as adjacent sides as
shown in the figure.
• Resultant of two forces P and Q will be given by the diagonal OC both in
magnitude and direction of the parallelogram OACB.
• Since these forces are in equilibrium, the resultant of the forces P and Q
must be in line with OD and equal to R, but in opposite direction.

From the geometry of the figure, we find

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Sample Problem: 1
An electric light fixture weighting 15 N hangs from a point C, by two strings AC and BC. The string AC is inclined
at 60° to the horizontal and BC at 45° to the horizontal as shown in the figure. Using Lami’ s theorem, or
otherwise, determine the forces in the strings AC and BC.

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Sample Problem: 2
A light string ABCDE whose extremity A is fixed, has weights W1 and W2 attached to it at B and C. It passes round
a small smooth peg at D carrying a weight of 300 N at the free end E as shown in the figure. If in the equilibrium
position, BC is horizontal and AB and CD make 150° and 120° with BC, find;
(i) Tensions in the portion AB, BC and CD of the string and (ii) Magnitudes of W1 and W2.

(i) Tensions is the portion AB, BC and CD of the string

(ii) Magnitudes of W1 and W2


From these calculations, we find that the magnitudes of W1
and W2 are 86.6 N and 259.8 N respectively.

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