STATIC EQUILIBRIUM

This unit discusses conditions necessary for a stationary body to be at equilibrium. Particular
attention is given to the principle of moments and its application in daily life.
Conditions of static equilibrium
The simpler word that people have often used in place of ‘equilibrium’ is balance. And when an
object is at rest and remains at rest, it is said to be in static equilibrium. It is important to clarify
one point here. A body can be in motion and still be in equilibrium. For example a body can be
in rotational equilibrium. This could mean that the body is rotating steadily or uniformly. What
we shall discuss here are conditions that are necessary for a body to be in static equilibrium.
These are conditions that will make a body not to move in any particular direction, left, right, up
or down but instead remain static.
Now as we begin our discussion, try to address these questions: how can a body remain static?
Does it mean that there are no forces acting on the body? Can a body be free of forces acting on
it here on earth?
Answers to these questions should lead you to realise that to be static does not necessarily mean
absence of forces. Especially here on earth, bodies are subjected to pull of gravity and
atmospheric pressure. But with all these forces some bodies still remain static (at rest). In
addition, other forces may also come into play.
With the above realisation, you should conclude that a body can only be in static equilibrium if
forces acting on it from either direction are equal in magnitude to forces acting from opposite
direction. In other words static equilibrium is only possible if resultant force on the body is zero.
Let us express this reasoning in simple mathematical language:
For an object to be in equilibrium, the vector sum of the forces acting on it must be zero.
i.e
∑Fx = 0 [sum of forces in the x-axis must be equal to zero]
∑Fy = 0 [sum of forces in the y-axis must be equal to zero]

The above statement is the first condition of equilibrium. Let us illustrate this further. Consider
the diagram below showing an object placed on a table.

The object above is in static equilibrium. Now, this is only possible if the weight (W) of the
object exerted on the table is equal to the reaction force (R) of the table on the object, otherwise
the table would curve in downwards. Similarly, the atmospheric pressure pushing from the east
(Peast) must be equal to the atmospheric pressure pushing from the west (Pwest).
Worked examples
Equipped with the above knowledge, let us solve the following problem.
Given that the system of forces below is in equilibrium, find the values of F2 and F3.

i. F2
Based on the diagram, F2 is equal in magnitude but opposite to the horizontal component of
78N which is 78 cos 50.30 or 78 cos 129.70. You should recall that angles in the plane are
measured from the positive x-axis anticlockwise and that’s how 129.70 come in. However,
the use of the acute angle 50.30 is acceptable as long as you remember to attach the right
direction.

The value of F2 is determined as follows:

∑Fx = 0
F2 + 78N cos 129.70 = 0
F2 = 78N cos 129.70
F2 = 49.8N
= 49.8 N
ii. F3
The value of F3 is equal to upward vertical component of 78N which is 78 sin 129. 70
i.e
∑Fy = 0
-F3 + 78N sin 129.70 = 0 [F3 is negative because it in the negative direction of y]
-F3 = - 78N sin 129.70
-
F3 = -60 N
F3 = 60N
Note, we have just applied the first condition of equilibrium.
Example
A 200N weight is attached to a horizontal beam as shown. The lower horizontal beam can
turn about the indicated pivot and is held at the other end by a cable attached to the upper
horizontal beam. Calculate magnitude of tension T in the cable (See diagram below)
Solution
The above subsidiary questions and reasoning should lead to the following working:
∑Fy = 0
Tcos 300+ (- 2000N) = 0 [weight is balanced by Tcos 300]
0
Tcos 30 - 2000N) = 0
Tcos 300 = 2000N
T = 2000N / cos 300
T = 2309N
This is the tension in the cable whose vertical component balances the weight.

Let us now shift our attention to the second condition. But before proceeding, you should review
the principle of moments. Consider the diagram below showing a 20N weight balanced against a
10 N weight on a horizontal beam. Note that the beam has a turning point shown as pivot.

It is common experience that if the system is to be in equilibrium, the distance of the smaller
weight from the pivot should be larger than the distance of the larger weight from the same pivot.
Assuming that the beam is uniformly segmented, you should note that the distance of the larger
weight is half that of the smaller weight from the pivot. This is particularly so because the larger
weight is twice the smaller weight.

One thing is clear; there seem to be a relationship between weight (force) and distance from the
pivot. For the purpose of clarity, let us re-draw the above diagram highlighting force and its line
of action and the perpendicular distance to the pivot.
The product of force and perpendicular distance between line of force and pivot is known
as moment of a force. In the above situation, there are two moments of force, these are:
F1 x d1 and F2 x d2
The moments are categorised depending on direction the force would turn the object
(clockwise or anticlockwise). In this respect, F1 x d1 is anticlockwise moment and F2 x d2
is clockwise moment. Moment of a force is measured in Newton-meter (Nm).
By studying equilibrium arrangements such as one illustrated above, we come up with the
second condition of equilibrium, known as principle of moments. It states that:
For an object to be in equilibrium, the sum of clockwise moments about a point must be
equal to the sum of anticlockwise moments about the same point.

If d1 and d2 above are 20 cm and 40 cm respectively, and if the system is in equilibrium

and according to the principle of moments:
F1 x d1 = F2 x d2
20 N x 0.2m = 10 N x 0.4 m
4Nm = 4Nm

Example
The diagram below shows an adult person, A and two children, B and C balanced on a
see- saw as shown. Given that the children B and C each weigh 300N, determine the
weight of A.

You should then proceed as follows:

∑ Acm = ∑cm [at equilibrium]
A x 3m = B x 2m + C x 3m [all distances are measured from the pivot]
A x 3m = 300N x 2m + 300N x 3m
A x 3m = 600Nm + 900Nm
A x 3m = 1500Nm

Therefore,
A = 1500Nm /3m
A = 500N
Example
A light rigid rod 300 mm long is supported horizontally at its ends by two vertical strings. A
weight of 60N is attached to the rod a distance of 90 mm from end A. Find the tensions TA and
TB in each of the strings.

Solution
For awhile the tension at B is neglected, so that we take moments at B(See diagram below).
We then proceed as follows

Taking moments at B

∑ Acm = ∑cm
60 N x 210 mm = TA x 300 mm [No need to convert mm to m, this will cancel out]
12600Nmm = TA x 300 mm

Hence,

TA = 12600Nmm / 300 mm [mm cancels out]

TA = 42N
With tension at A (TA) established, we can directly apply the first condition of equilibrium
above. If the system is in equilibrium, total downward force should be equal in magnitude to
total upward force. Since information emphasized that the rod is light, this means that its weight
is negligible. So the only downward force is 60N which is equal to the sum of TA and TB. And
since we now know TA, TB is found as follows:
TB = 60N - 42 N
= 18 N
You should attempt the same question but this time taking moments at A.
Centre of gravity
If a body is in a gravitation field such as that of the earth, it experience pull of gravity. The pull
of gravity on a body is called weight. Here, we define centre of gravity as a point through which
weight of the body acts or appears to act through.

Information about centre of gravity is very important when handling the principle of moment.
Unless otherwise stated, the weights of bodies in equilibrium should be considered as part of the
forces affecting stability of the system. For a uniform body, centre of gravity should be taken to
act from its mid - point. A uniform body is one in which mass is uniformly distributed, for
example a meter rule.
The centre of gravity sometimes coincides with the centre of mass. For this reason the two terms
are loosely used interchangeably.

Relationship between torque and of moment of a force

Before proceeding here, consult any other source and find out the definition of torque. Your
findings should reveal that moment of force and torque seems to mean one and the same thing.
They are both product of force and perpendicular distance and share the same unit (Nm).
However, torque is mainly concerned with causing rotation, the turning effect.
Couple
A couple is a pair or two things. Here, we shall adopt this meaning but slightly alter it. We define
a couple as a pair of equal but opposite forces acting on the same body in such a way that they
cause rotation. One example of a couple is force the hands of a car driver apply on the steering
wheel. See diagram below.

Principle of triangle of forces

Consider three forces X, Y and Z acting on the same point and are in equilibrium.
Now, if the point is held in equilibrium by the three forces, it must be true that the resultant of any
of the two forces must be equal to the magnitude of the third force. Do you agree with this
observation? If so, in what direction, relative to the third force is the resultant acting? The answer
is simply, in the opposite direction of the third force.
For example if the forces above are in equilibrium, then the resultant of X and Y must be equal in
magnitude to Z but should act in opposite direction to Z. In this way, the system will balance. Let
us label the resultant of X and Y as ZI and re -draw the above diagram including this resultant.

With this realisation, this takes us back to application of parallelogram rule of vector addition.
In the application of parallelogram rule of vector addition, two vectors whose resultant is required
are presented as sides of a parallelogram and the diagonal of this parallelogram gives the required
resultant. Realising that the resultant of any of the two sides is equal in magnitude to the third force,
we can straight away sketch any given three forces (in equilibrium) in form of a triangle taken in
order.
Once we have a triangle, we can then apply Pythagoras theorem or cosine rule to determine
magnitude of the required vector (force)
This discussion brings us to the principle of triangle of forces. It states that:

If three forces are in equilibrium, they can be represented in terms of magnitude and
direction by three sides of a triangle. Taken in order

Example
Let us now apply the principle of triangle of force to solve the following question.

Three co- planar forces F, 2.5N and 6N are acting on the same point are in equilibrium.
Use the principle of triangle of forces to find the value of F.
Solution.
Applying, the triangle of forces, the diagram is re-drawn as below:

Note that this is a right angled triangle and therefore by Pythagoras theorem:
F2 = 62 + 2.52
F2 = 42.25
F = √42.25
F = 6.5N
We then move further to determine it direction in terms of angular distance from the 6N
force. Applying trigonometry, we proceed as follows:
tan = 2.5 / 6
tan Ө = 0.417 and finally,
Ө = tan-10.417
Ө = 22.60
Therefore, F = 6.5 N at 22.60 to the 6N force