Chapter 5

Forces acting at a point

Why it is important to understand: Forces acting at a point
In this chapter the fundamental quantities, scalars and vectors, which form the very basis of all
branches of engineering, are introduced. A force is a vector quantity and, in this chapter, the resolution
of forces is introduced. Resolving forces is very important in structures, where the principle is used to
determine the strength of roof trusses, bridges, cranes, etc. Great lengths are gone to, to explain this
very fundamental skill, where step-by-step methods are adopted to help the reader understand this
very important procedure. The resolution of forces is also used in studying the motion of vehicles and
other particles in dynamics and in the case of the navigation of ships, aircraft, etc., the vectors take
the form of displacements, velocities and accelerations. This chapter gives a sound introduction to the
manipulation and use of scalars and vectors, by both graphical and analytical methods. The importance
of understanding the forces at a point is to appreciate the equilibrium of forces, whether they act on a
structure or a machine or a mechanism.

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

• distinguish between scalar and vector quantities
• define ‘centre of gravity’ of an object
• define ‘equilibrium’ of an object
• understand the terms ‘coplanar’ and ‘concurrent’
• determine the resultant of two coplanar forces using (a) the triangle of forces method (b) the parallelogram of
forces method
• calculate the resultant of two coplanar forces using (a) the cosine and sine rules (b) resolution of forces
• determine the resultant of more than two coplanar forces using (a) the polygon of forces method (b) calcula-
tion by resolution of forces
• determine unknown forces when three or more coplanar forces are in equilibrium

5.1â•… Scalar and vector quantities Vector quantities have both a size or magnitude
(b) 
and a direction, called the line of action of the
Quantities used in engineering and science can be quantity. Thus, a velocity of 50 kilometres per
divided into two groups: hour due east, an acceleration of 9.81 metres per
second squared vertically downwards and a force
Scalar quantities have a size (or magnitude) only
(a)  of 15 newtons at an angle of 30 degrees are all
and need no other information to specify them. examples of vector quantities.
Thus, 10 centimetres, 50 seconds, 7 litres and
3€kilograms are all examples of scalar quantities.
Mechanical Engineering Principles, Bird and Ross, ISBN 9780415517850
 72â•… Mechanical Engineering Principles
(ii) An object is in unstable equilibrium if, when a
5.2â•… Centre of gravity and equilibrium disturbing force is applied, the centre of gravity
is lowered and the object moves away from its
The centre of gravity of an object is a point where the original position. Thus, a ball bearing balanced
resultant gravitational force acting on the body may be on top of a hemispherical cup is in unstable equi-
taken to act. For objects of uniform thickness lying in a librium, as shown in Figure 5.2(b).
horizontal plane, the centre of gravity is vertically in line (iii) When an object in neutral equilibrium has a
with the point of balance of the object. For a thin uniform disturbing force applied, the centre of gravity re-
rod the point of balance and hence the centre of gravity mains at the same height and the object does not
is halfway along the rod as shown in Figure 5.1(a). move when the disturbing force is removed.
Thus, a ball bearing on a flat horizontal surface is
in neutral equilibrium, as shown in Figure 5.2(c).

5.3â•…Forces
Part Two

When forces are all acting in the same plane, they are
Figure 5.1 called coplanar. When forces act at the same time and
at the same point, they are called concurrent forces.
A thin flat sheet of a material of uniform thickness is Force is a vector quantity and thus has both a mag-
called a lamina and the centre of gravity of a rectangu- nitude and a direction. A vector can be represented
lar lamina lies at the point of intersection of its diago- graphically by a line drawn to scale in the direction of
nals, as shown in Figure 5.1(b). The centre of gravity of the line of action of the force.
a circular lamina is at the centre of the circle, as shown To distinguish between vector and scalar quantities,
in Figure 5.1(c). various ways are used.
An object is in equilibrium when the forces acting These include:
on the object are such that there is no tendency for the
object to move. The state of equilibrium of an object (i) bold print,
can be divided into three groups. (ii) two capital letters with an arrow above them to

(i) If an object is in stable equilibrium and it is denote the sense of direction, for example, AB
slightly disturbed by pushing or pulling (i.e. a where A is the starting point and B the end point
disturbing force is applied), the centre of grav- of the vector,
ity is raised and when the disturbing force is re- (iii) a line over the top of letters, for example, AB or a
 
moved, the object returns to its original position. (iv) letters with an arrow above, for example, a, A
Thus a ball bearing in a hemispherical cup is in (v) underlined letters, for example, a
stable equilibrium, as shown in Figure 5.2(a). (vi) xi + jy, where i and j are axes at right-angles to
each other; for example, 3i + 4j means 3 units in
the i direction and 4 units in the j direction, as
shown in Figure 5.3.

Figure 5.3
Figure 5.2
 Forces acting at a pointâ•… 73

a and F2 acting at point P as shown in Figure€5.6(a)

(vii) a column matrix  ; for example, the vector OA have exactly the same effect on point P as force
b
 3 F shown in Figure 5.6(b), where F =€F2€– F1 and
shown in Figure 5.3 could be represented by   acts in the direction of F2, since F2 is greater than
4 F1. Thus F is the resultant of F1 and F2
Thus, in Figure 5.3,
  3
OA ≡ OA ≡ OA ≡ 3i + 4j ≡  
4
The method adopted in this text is to denote
vector quantities in bold print.
Thus, ab in Figure 5.4 represents a force of 5 newtons
acting in a direction due east.

Figure 5.6

Part Two
(c) When two forces do not have the same line of ac-
tion, the magnitude and direction of the resultant
force may be found by a procedure called vector
addition of forces. There are two graphical meth-
Figure 5.4 ods of performing vector addition, known as
the triangle of forces method (see Section 5.5)
and the parallelogram of forces method (see
5.4â•… The resultant of two Section 5.6).
coplanar forces
Problem 1.â•… Determine the resultant force of two
For two forces acting at a point, there are three pos- forces of 5 kN and 8 kN, (a) acting in the same
sibilities. direction and having the same line of action
(b) acting in opposite directions but having the
(a) For forces acting in the same direction and having
same line of action.
the same line of action, the single force having
the same effect as both of the forces, called the
(a) The vector diagram of the two forces acting in the
resultant force or just the resultant, is the arith-
same direction is shown in Figure 5.7(a), which
metic sum of the separate forces. Forces of F1 and
assumes that the line of action is horizontal,
F2 acting at point P, as shown in Figure 5.5(a),
although since it is not specified, it could be in
have exactly the same effect on point P as force
any direction. From above, the resultant force F is
F shown in Figure 5.5(b), where F = F1 + F2 and
given by: F = F1 + F2, i.e. F = (5 + 8) kN = 13 kN
acts in the same direction as F1 and F2. Thus F is
in the direction of the original forces.
the resultant of F1 and F2

Figure 5.5

(b) For forces acting in opposite directions along the

same line of action, the resultant force is the arithme-
tic difference between the two forces. Forces of F1 Figure 5.7
 74â•… Mechanical Engineering Principles
(b) The vector diagram of the two forces acting in op- an angle of 60° from ab means 60° in an anti-
posite directions is shown in Figure 5.7(b), again clockwise direction.)
assuming that the line of action is in a horizontal
direction. From above, the resultant force F is (iii) By measurement, the resultant ac is 30.5 units
given by: F = F2 – F1, i.e. F = (8 – 5) kN = 3 kN long inclined at an angle of 35° to ab. That is,
in the direction of the 8 kN force. the resultant force is 30.5 N, inclined at an an-
gle of 35° to the 15 N force.

Problem 3.â•… Find the magnitude and direction of

5.5â•… Triangle of forces method the two forces given, using the triangle of forces
method.
A simple procedure for the triangle of forces method of First force: 1.5 kN acting at an angle of 30°
vector addition is as follows: Second force: 3.7 kN acting at an angle of –45°
(i) Draw a vector representing one of the forces,
using an appropriate scale and in the direction From the above procedure and with reference to
of its line of action. Figure 5.9:
Part Two

(ii) From the nose of this vector and using the same
scale, draw a vector representing the second
force in the direction of its line of action.
(iii) The resultant vector is represented in both mag-
nitude and direction by the vector drawn from
the tail of the first vector to the nose of the sec-
ond vector.

Problem 2.â•… Determine the magnitude and direc-

tion of the resultant of a force of 15 N acting hori-
zontally to the right and a force of 20 N, inclined at Figure 5.9
an angle of 60° to the 15 N force. Use the triangle
of forces method. (i) ab is drawn at an angle of 30° and 1.5 units in
length.
(ii) From b, bc is drawn at an angle of –45° and 3.7
units in length. (Note, an angle of –45° means
a clockwise rotation of 45° from a line drawn
horizontally to the right.)
(iii) By measurement, the resultant ac is 4.3 units
long at an angle of –25°. That is, the resultant
force is 4.3 kN at an angle of –25°

Now try the following Practice Exercise

Figure 5.8 Practice Exercise 32â•…Further problems on

the triangle of forces
Using the procedure given above and with reference to method
Figure 5.8: 1. Determine the magnitude and direction of
the resultant of the forces 1.3 kN and 2.7 kN,
(i) a b is drawn 15 units long horizontally. having the same line of action and acting in
(ii) From b, bc is drawn 20 units long, inclined at an the same direction.
angle of 60° to ab. (Note, in angular measure,  [4.0 kN in the direction of the forces]
 Forces acting at a pointâ•… 75

2. Determine the magnitude and direction of

the resultant of the forces 470 N and 538 N
having the same line of action but acting in
opposite directions.
 [68 N in the direction of the 538 N force]
In questions 3 to 5, use the triangle of forces
method to determine the magnitude and direction
of the resultant of the forces given.
3. 13 N at 0° and 25 N at 30° [36.8 N at 20°]
4. 5 N at 60° and 8 N at 90° [12.6 N at 79°]
5. 1.3 kN at 45° and 2.8 kN at –30°
 [3.4 kN at –8°] Figure 5.10

Part Two
(ii) ac is drawn at an angle of –120° and 400 units in
length
5.6â•… The parallelogram of (iii) bd and cd are drawn to complete the parallelo-
forces method gram
(iv) ad is drawn. By measurement, ad is 413 units
A simple procedure for the parallelogram of forces
long at an angle of –156°
method of vector addition is as follows:
That is, the resultant force is 413 N at an angle of –156°
(i) Draw a vector representing one of the forces,
using an appropriate scale and in the direction
of its line of action.
(ii) From the tail of this vector and using the same
Now try the following Practice Exercise
scale draw a vector representing the second force
in the direction of its line of action.
(iii) Complete the parallelogram using the two vec- Practice Exercise 33â•…Further problems on
tors drawn in (i) and (ii) as two sides of the paral- the parallelogram of
lelogram. forces method
(iv) The resultant force is represented in both magni-
In questions 1 to 5, use the parallelogram of
tude and direction by the vector corresponding to
forces method to determine the magnitude and
the diagonal of the parallelogram drawn from the
direction of the resultant of the forces given.
tail of the vectors in (i) and (ii).
1. 1.7 N at 45° and 2.4 N at –60°
 [2.6 N at –20°]
Problem 4.â•… Use the parallelogram of forces
method to find the magnitude and direction of the 2. 9 N at 126° and 14 N at 223°
resultant of a force of 250 N acting at an angle  [15.7 N at –172°]
of 135° and a force of 400 N acting at an angle
3. 23.8 N at –50° and 14.4 N at 215°
of –120°.
 [26.7 N at –82°]
4. 0.7 kN at 147° and 1.3 kN at –71°
From the procedure given above and with reference to  [0.86 kN at –101°]
Figure 5.10:
5. 47 N at 79° and 58 N at 247°
(i) ab is drawn at an angle of 135° and 250 units in  [15.5 N at –152°]
length
 76â•… Mechanical Engineering Principles
Now try the following Practice Exercise
5.7â•… Resultant of coplanar
forces by calculation Practice Exercise 34â•…Further problems
on the resultant of
An alternative to the graphical methods of determining
coplanar forces by
the resultant of two coplanar forces is by calculation.
calculation
This can be achieved by trigonometry using the cosine
rule and the sine rule, as shown in Problem 5 following, 1. Forces of 7.6 kN at 32° and 11.8 kN at 143°
or by resolution of forces (see Section 5.10). act at a point. Use the cosine and sine rules
to calculate the magnitude and direction of
Problem 5.â•… Use the cosine and sine rules to their resultant. [11.52 kN at 105°]
determine the magnitude and direction of a force
of 8 kN acting at an angle of 50° to the horizontal In questions 2 to 5, calculate the resultant of
and a force of 5 kN acting at an angle of –30° to the given forces by using the cosine and sine
the€horizontal. rules.
Part Two

2. 13 N at 0° and 25 N at 30°
The space diagram is shown in Figure 5.11(a). A sketch  [36.84 N at 19.83°]
is made of the vector diagram, 0a representing the
8 kN force in magnitude and direction and ab repre- 3. 1.3 kN at 45° and 2.8 kN at –30°
senting the 5 kN force in magnitude and direction. The  [3.38 kN at – 8.19°]
resultant is given by length 0b. By the cosine rule, 4. 9 N at 126° and 14 N at 223°
 [15.69 N at – 171.67°]
5. 0.7 kN at 147° and 1.3 kN at – 71°
 [0.86 kN at – 100.94°]

5.8â•… Resultant of more than

two coplanar forces

Figure 5.11 For the three coplanar forces F1, F2 and F3 acting at
a point as shown in Figure 5.12, the vector diagram
â•… 0b2 = 0a2 + ab2 – 2(0a)(ab) cos∠0ab is drawn using the nose-to-tail method of Section 5.5.
â•… = 82 + 52 – 2(8)(5) cos 100° The procedure is:

 (since ∠0ab = 180° – 50° – 30° = 100°) (i) Draw 0a to scale to represent force F1 in both
magnitude and direction (see Figure 5.13)
â•… = 64 + 25 – (–13.892) = 102.892
Hence, 0b = 102.892 = 10.14 kN
5 10.14
By the sine rule, =
sin ∠a0b sin100°
5sin100°
from which, sin ∠a0b = 10.14 = 0.4856

Hence ∠a0b = sin–1 (0.4856) = 29.05°. Thus angle f in

Figure 5.11(b) is 50° – 29.05° = 20.95°
Hence the resultant of the two forces is 10.14 kN Figure 5.12
acting at an angle of 20.95° to the horizontal
 Forces acting at a pointâ•… 77

(i) 0a represents the 12 N force in magnitude and

direction
(ii) From the nose of 0a, ab is drawn inclined at
60° to 0a and 7 units long
(iii) From the nose of ab, bc is drawn 15 units long
inclined at 150° to 0a (i.e. 150° to the horizontal)
Figure 5.13 (iv) 0c represents the resultant; by measurement,
(ii) From the nose of 0a, draw ab to represent the resultant is 13.8 N inclined at f = 80° to the
force€F2 horizontal.
(iii) From the nose of ab, draw bc to represent
force€F3 Thus the resultant of the three forces, FA, FB and FC
(iv) The resultant vector is given by length 0c in is a force of 13.8 N at 80° to the horizontal.
Figure 5.13. The direction of resultant oc is from
where we started, i.e. point 0, to where we fin- Problem 7.â•… The following coplanar forces are

Part Two
ished, i.e. point c. When acting by itself, the re- acting at a point, the given angles being measured
sultant force, given by 0c, has the same effect from the horizontal: 100 N at 30°, 200 N at 80°,
on the point as forces F1, F2 and F3 have when 40 N at –150°, 120 N at –100° and 70 N at –60°.
acting together. The resulting vector diagram of Determine graphically the magnitude and direction
Figure 5.13 is called the polygon of forces. of the resultant of the five forces.

Problem 6.â•… Determine graphically the magnitude

and direction of the resultant of the following three The five forces are shown in the space diagram of
coplanar forces, which may be considered as acting Figure 5.16. Since the 200 N and 120 N forces have
at a point: the same line of action but are in opposite sense, they
Force A, 12 N acting horizontally to the right; force B, can be represented by a single force of 200 – 120, i.e.
7 N inclined at 60° to force A; force C, 15 N inclined 80 N acting at 80° to the horizontal. Similarly, the
at 150° to force A. 100 N and 40 N forces can be represented by a force
of 100 – 40, i.e. 60 N acting at 30° to the horizontal.
The space diagram is shown in Figure 5.14. The vector Hence the space diagram of Figure 5.16 may be rep-
diagram shown in Figure 5.15, is produced as follows: resented by the space diagram of Figure 5.17. Such a
simplification of the vectors is not essential but it is
easier to construct the vector diagram from a space
diagram having three forces, than one with five.

Figure 5.14

Figure 5.16
Figure 5.15
 78â•… Mechanical Engineering Principles

1. Force A, 12 N acting horizontally to the

right, force B, 20 N acting at 140° to force A,
force C, 16 N acting 290° to force A.
 [3.1 N at –45° to force A]
2. Force 1, 23 kN acting at 80° to the horizon-
tal, force 2, 30 kN acting at 37° to force 1,
force 3, 15 kN acting at 70° to force 2.

[53.5 kN at 37° to force 1

]
(i.e. 117° to the horizontal)
3. Force P, 50 kN acting horizontally to the
right, force Q, 20 kN at 70° to force P, force
Figure 5.17 R, 40 kN at 170° to force P, force S, 80 kN at
300° to force P. [72 kN at –37° to force P]
The vector diagram is shown in Figure 5.18, 0a repre- 4. Four horizontal wires are attached to a tele-
Part Two

senting the 60 N force, ab representing the 80N force phone pole and exert tensions of 30 N to the
and bc the 70 N force. The resultant, 0c, is found by south, 20 N to the east, 50 N to the north-east
measurement to represent a force of 112 N and angle and 40 N to the north-west. Determine the
f is 25°. resultant force on the pole and its direction.
 [43.2 N at 39° east of north]

5.9â•… Coplanar forces in equilibrium

When three or more coplanar forces are acting at a

Scale
point and the vector diagram closes, there is no resul-
tant. The forces acting at the point are in equilibrium.

Problem 8.â•… A load of 200 N is lifted by two

ropes connected to the same point on the load,
making angles of 40° and 35° with the vertical.
Determine graphically the tensions in each rope
when the system is in equilibrium.
Figure 5.18
The space diagram is shown in Figure 5.19. Since
Thus, the five forces shown in Figure 5.16 may be the system is in equilibrium, the vector diagram must
represented by a single force of 112 N at 25° to the close. The vector diagram, shown in Figure 5.20, is
horizontal. drawn as follows:

Now try the following Practice Exercise

Practice Exercise 35â•…Further problems on

the resultant of more
than two coplanar
forces
In questions 1 to 3, determine graphically the
magnitude and direction of the resultant of the
coplanar forces given which are acting at a point.
Figure 5.19
 Forces acting at a pointâ•… 79

close. Using a compass with centre at 0, arc rs is drawn

having a radius 15 units. The point where the arcs
intersect is at d.

Figure 5.20

Part Two
(i) The load of 200 N is drawn vertically as shown
by 0a
(ii) The direction only of force F1 is known,
so from point a, ad is drawn at 40° to the verti-
cal
(iii) The direction only of force F2 is known, Figure 5.21
so from point 0, 0c is drawn at 35° to the
Â�vertical By measurement, angle f = 198° and a = 291°
(iv) Lines ad and 0c cross at point b; hence the Thus the 16 kN force acts at an angle of 198°
vector diagram is given by triangle 0ab. By (or –162°) to the 12 kN force, and the 15 kN force
measurement, ab is 119 N and 0b is 133 N. acts at an angle of 291° (or –69°) to the 12 kN force.
Thus the tensions in the ropes are F1 = 119 N and
F2 = 133 N
Now try the following Practice Exercise
Problem 9.â•… Five coplanar forces are acting on a
body and the body is in equilibrium. The forces Practice Exercise 36â•…Further problems on
are: 12 kN acting horizontally to the right, 18 kN coplanar forces in
acting at an angle of 75°, 7 kN acting at an angle equilibrium
of 165°, 16 kN acting from the nose of the 7 kN
1. A load of 12.5 N is lifted by two strings con-
force, and 15 kN acting from the nose of the 16 kN
nected to the same point on the load, making
force. Determine the directions of the 16 kN and
angles of 22° and 31° on opposite sides of
15 kN forces relative to the 12 kN force.
the vertical. Determine the tensions in the
strings.  [5.86 N, 8.06 N]
With reference to Figure 5.21, 0a is drawn 12 units 2. A two-legged sling and hoist chain used for
long horizontally to the right. From point a, ab is drawn lifting machine parts is shown in �Figure€5.22.
18 units long at an angle of 75°. From b, bc is drawn Determine the forces in each leg of the sling
7 units long at an angle of 165°. The direction of the if parts exerting a downward force of 15 kN
16 kN force is not known, thus arc pq is drawn with are lifted. [9.96 kN, 7.77 kN]
a compass, with centre at c, radius 16 units. Since the
forces are at equilibrium, the polygon of forces must
 80â•… Mechanical Engineering Principles
0a
By trigonometry, cos 60° = , hence the horizontal
0b
component, 0a = 10 cos 60°
ab
Also, sin 60° = , hence the vertical component,
0b
ab = 10 sin 60°
This process is called finding the horizontal and ver-
tical components of a vector or the resolution of a
vector, and can be used as an alternative to graphical
methods for calculating the resultant of two or more
coplanar forces acting at a point.
For example, to calculate the resultant of a 10 N force
acting at 60° to the horizontal and a 20 N force acting at
–30° to the horizontal (see Figure 5.24) the procedure
Figure 5.22 is as follows:
Part Two

3. Four coplanar forces acting on a body are

such that it is in equilibrium. The vector
diagram for the forces is such that the 40 N
force acts vertically upwards, the 40 N force
acts at 65° to the 60 N force, the 100 N force
acts from the nose of the 40 N force and the
90 N force acts from the nose of the 100 N
force. Determine the direction of the 100 N
and 90 N forces relative to the 60 N force.

[
100 N force at 148° to the 60 N force,
90 N force at 277° to the 60 N force ]

5.10â•… Resolution of forces

Figure 5.24
A vector quantity may be expressed in terms of its
horizontal and vertical components. For example, (i) Determine the horizontal and vertical compo-
a vector representing a force of 10 N at an angle of nents of the 10 N force, i.e. horizontal component,
60° to the horizontal is shown in Figure 5.23. If the 0a = 10 cos 60° = 5.0 N, and vertical component,
horizontal line 0a and the vertical line ab are construct- ab = 10 sin 60° = 8.66 N
ed as shown, then 0a is called the horizontal compo- (ii) Determine the horizontal and vertical compo-
nent of the 10 N force, and ab the vertical component nents of the 20 N force, i.e. horizontal compo-
of the 10 N force. nent, 0d = 20 cos(–30°) = 17.32 N, and vertical
component, cd = 20 sin(–30°) = –10.0 N
(iii) Determine the total horizontal component, i.e.
0a + 0d = 5.0 + 17.32 = 22.32 N
(iv) Determine the total vertical component, i.e.
ab + cd = 8.66 + (–10.0) = –1.34 N
(v) Sketch the total horizontal and vertical compo-
nents as shown in Figure 5.25. The resultant of
the two components is given by length 0r and, by
Pythagoras’ theorem,

Figure 5.23 0r = 22.32 2 + 1.34 2 = 22.36 N

 Forces acting at a pointâ•… 81

Figure 5.25

and using trigonometry,

1.34
angle f = tan–1 = 3.44°
22.32
Hence the resultant of the 10 N and 20 N forces
shown in Figure 5.24 is 22.36 N at an angle
of –3.44° to the horizontal.
Figure 5.27

Problem 10.â•… Forces of 5.0 N at 25° and 8.0 N at By Pythagoras’ theorem, r = 1.5352 + 9.530 2
112° act at a point. By resolving these forces into

Part Two
horizontal and vertical components, determine their = 9.653,
resultant. 9.530
and by trigonometry, angle f = tan–1
1.535
The space diagram is shown in Figure 5.26. = 80.85°
Hence the resultant of the two forces shown in
Figure 5.26 is a force of 9.653 N acting at 80.85° to
the horizontal.

Problems 9 and 10 demonstrate the use of resolution

of forces for calculating the resultant of two co-
planar forces acting at a point. However, the meth-
od may be used for more than two forces acting at a
point, as shown in Problem 11.

Problem 11.â•… Determine by resolution of forces

the resultant of the following three coplanar forces
acting at a point: 200 N acting at 20° to the hori-
Figure 5.26 zontal; 400 N acting at 165° to the horizontal;
500 N acting at 250° to the horizontal.
(i) The horizontal component of the 5.0 N force,
0a = 5.0 cos 25° = 4.532, and the vertical A tabular approach using a calculator may be made as
component of the 5.0 N force,  shown below:
ab = 5.0 sin 25° = 2.113
(ii)
The horizontal component of the 8.0 N force, Horizontal component
0c = 8.0 cos 112° = –2.997 Force 1 200 cos 20° = ╇ 187.94
The vertical component of the 8.0 N force, Force 2 400 cos 165° = –386.37
cd = 8.0 sin 112° = 7.417
Force 3 500 cos 250° = –171.01
(iii) Total horizontal component
= 0a + 0c = 4.532 + (–2.997) = + 1.535 Total horizontal component = –369.44
(iv) Total vertical component
Vertical component
= ab + cd = 2.113 + 7.417 = + 9.530
Force 1 200 sin 20° = ╇╇ 68.40
(v) The components are shown sketched in Figure
5.27. Force 2 400 sin 165° = ╇ 103.53
 82â•… Mechanical Engineering Principles
Force 3 500 sin 250° = –469.85 Vertical components of the forces
Total vertical component = –297.92 150 sin 25° = â•… 63.4
The total horizontal and vertical components are shown 250 sin 90° = ╇250
in Figure 5.28. 200 sin 120° = ╇173.2
300 sin 200° = –102.6
60 sin 280° = ╇–59.1
220 sin 320° = –141.4
Total vertical component, V = ╇ 183.5 N
H and V are shown plotted in Figure 5.29 and from
Pythagoras’ theorem:
Part Two

Figure 5.28

Resultant r = 369.44 2 + 297.92 2

= 474.60, and
297.92
angle f = tan–1 = 38.88°,
369.44
from which, a = 180° – 38.88° = 141.12° H=~7 . 1

Thus the resultant of the three forces given is Figure 5.29

474.6 N acting at an angle of –141.12° (or +218.88°)
to the horizontal. R 2 = H 2 + V 2 and resultant,

Problem 12.â•… Determine by resolution the R= H 2 + V 2 = (−67.1) 2 + (183.5) 2 = 195.4 N

magnitude and direction of the following six    
−1 V −1 183.5
concurrent coplanar forces: 150 N acting at 25° Angle q = tan   = tan  
H
   67.1 
to the horizontal, 250 N acting at 90° to the
horizontal, 200 N acting at 120° to the horizontal, = tan −1(2.7347) = 69.91°
300 N acting at 200° to the horizontal, 60 N acting Measuring from the positive horizontal axis, angle of
at 280° to the horizontal, and 220 N acting at 320° the resultant R, α = 180° – 69.91° = 110.09°
to the horizontal.
Thus the resultant of the six forces given is 195.4 N
A tabular approach using a calculator may be made as acting at an angle of 110.09° to the horizontal.
shown below:
Now try the following Practice Exercise
Horizontal components of the forces
150 cos 25° = ╇ 135.9 Practice Exercise 37â•…Further problems on
250 cos 90° = ╇╇╇0 resolution of forces
200 cos 120° = –100 1. Resolve a force of 23.0 N at an angle of 64°
300 cos 200° = –281.9 into its horizontal and vertical components.
 [10.08 N, 20.67 N]
60 cos 280° = ╇╇10.42
220 cos 320° = ╇ 168.5 2. Forces of 5 N at 21° and 9 N at 126° act
at a point. By resolving these forces into
Total horizontal component, H = ╇ –67.1 N
 Forces acting at a pointâ•… 83

�
horizontal and vertical components, deter-
mine their Â�resultant. [9.09 N at 93.92°]
In questions 3 and 4, determine the magnitude
[
(a) H = –64.02 kN (b) V = 462.85 kN
(c) R = 467.26 kN at 97.88°
anticlockwise from the horizontal
]
and direction of the resultant of the coplanar
forces given which are acting at a point, by reso-
lution of forces. 5.11â•…Summary
3. Force A, 12 N acting horizontally to the
right, force B, 20 N acting at 140° to force A, (a) To determine the resultant of two coplanar forces
force C, 16 N acting 290° to force A. acting at a point, four methods are commonly used.
 [3.06 N at –45.40° to force A] They are:
by drawing:
4. Force 1, 23 kN acting at 80° to the horizon-
(1)â•… triangle of forces method, and
tal, force 2, 30 kN acting at 37° to force 1,
(2)â•…parallelogram of forces method, and
force 3, 15 kN acting at 70° to force 2.

[ ] by calculation:

Part Two
53.50 kN at 117.27°
to the horizontal (3)â•… use of cosine and sine rules, and
(4)â•… resolution of forces.
5. Determine, by resolution of forces, the re-
sultant of the following three coplanar forces (b) To determine the resultant of more than two co-
acting at a point: 10 kN acting at 32° to the planar forces acting at a point, two methods are
horizontal, 15 kN acting at 170° to the hori- commonly used. They are:
zontal, 20 kN acting at 240° to the horizontal. by drawing:â•…
 [18.82 kN at 210.03° to the horizontal] (1)â•…polygon of forces method, and
6. The following coplanar forces act at a point: by calculation:
force A, 15 N acting horizontally to the right, (2)â•…resolution of forces.
force B, 23 N at 81° to the horizontal, force C,
7 N at 210° to the horizontal, force D, 9 N at Now try the following Practice Exercises
265° to the horizontal, and force E, 28 N at
324° to the horizontal. Determine the resultant
of the five forces by resolution of the forces. Practice Exercise 38â•…Short-answer
 [34.96 N at –10.23° to the horizontal] questions on forces
acting at a point
7. At a certain point, 12 different values of
╇ 1. Give one example of a scalar quantity and
coplanar and concurrent, radially outward
one example of a vector quantity.
tensile forces are applied. The first force
is applied horizontally to the right and the ╇ 2. Explain the difference between a scalar and
remaining 11 forces are applied at equally a vector quantity.
spaced intervals of 30° anticlockwise. Start- ╇ 3. What is meant by the centre of gravity of
ing from the first force and then 30° anti- an object?
clockwise to the second force, and so on, so ╇ 4. Where is the centre of gravity of a rectan-
that the 12 forces encompass a complete cir- gular lamina?
cle of 360°. The magnitude of the 12 forces,
in order of sequence, are: 30 kN, 250 kN, ╇ 5. What is meant by neutral equilibrium?
200 kN, 180 kN, 160 kN, 140 kN, 120 kN, ╇ 6. State the meaning of the term ‘coplanar’.
100 kN, 80 kN, 60 kN, 40 kN and 20 kN. ╇ 7. What is a concurrent force?
 Determine (a) the sum of the horizontal
╇ 8. State what is meant by a triangle of forces.
components of the forces, H, (b) the sum
of the vertical components of the forces, V, ╇ 9. State what is meant by a parallelogram of
(c) the magnitude, R, and the direction of the forces.
resultant force, q. 10. State what is meant by a polygon of forces.
 84â•… Mechanical Engineering Principles

11. When a vector diagram is drawn represent- returns to its original position when the dis-
ing coplanar forces acting at a point, and turbing force is removed, the object is said
there is no resultant, the forces are in .......... to be in
12. Two forces of 6 N and 9 N act horizontally (a) neutral equilibrium
to the right. The resultant is .... N acting ..... (b) stable equilibrium
(c) static equilibrium
13. 
A force of 10 N acts at an angle of 50° and
(d) unstable equilibrium.
another force of 20 N acts at an angle of
230°. The resultant is a force ...... N acting ╇ 6. Which of the following statements is false?
at an angle of .... °. (a) The centre of gravity of a lamina is at
14. What is meant by ‘resolution of forces’? its point of balance.
(b) The centre of gravity of a circular lam-
15. A coplanar force system comprises a 20 kN
ina is at its centre.
force acting horizontally to the right, 30 kN
(c) The centre of gravity of a rectangular
at 45°, 20 kN at 180° and 25 kN at 225°.
lamina is at the point of intersection of
The resultant is a force of ...... N acting at
Part Two

its two sides.

an angle of .... ° to the horizontal.
(d) The centre of gravity of a thin uniform
rod is halfway along the rod.
╇7. 
The magnitude of the resultant of the
Practice Exercise 39â•…Multiple-choice vectors shown in Figure 5.30 is:
questions on forces
(a) 2 N (b) 12 N
acting at a point
(c) 35 N (d) –2 N
(Answers on page 335)
╇ 1. A physical quantity which has direction as
well as magnitude is known as a:
(a) force (b) vector
Figure 5.30
(c) scalar (d) weight.
╇2. 
Which of the following is not a scalar ╇ 8. The magnitude of the resultant of the vec-
quantity? tors shown in Figure 5.31 is:
(a) velocity (b) potential energy (a) 7 N (b) 5 N
(c) work (d) kinetic energy. (c) 1 N (d) 12 N
╇3. 
Which of the following is not a vector
quantity?
(a) displacement
(b) density
(c) velocity
(d) acceleration.
╇ 4. Which of the following statements is false? Figure 5.31

(a) Scalar quantities have size or magni- ╇ 9. Which of the following statements is false?
tude only (a) There is always a resultant vector required
(b) Vector quantities have both magnitude to close a vector diagram representing
and direction a€system of coplanar forces acting at a
(c) Mass, length and time are all scalar point, which are not in equilibrium.
quantities (b) A vector quantity has both magnitude
(d) Distance, velocity and acceleration are and direction.
all vector quantities. (c) A vector diagram representing a sys-
╇ 5. I f the centre of gravity of an object which tem of coplanar forces acting at a point
is slightly disturbed is raised and the object when in equilibrium does not close.
 Forces acting at a pointâ•… 85

(d) C
 oncurrent forces are those which act 12. With reference to Figure 5.34, which of the
at the same time at the same point. following statements is false?
10. Which of the following statements is false?
(a) The resultant of coplanar forces of 1 N,
2 N and 3 N acting at a point can be 4 N.
(b) The resultant of forces of 6 N and
3 N acting in the same line of action
but opposite in sense is 3 N.
(c) The resultant of forces of 6 N and 3 N
acting in the same sense and having the
same line of action is 9 N.
F~=5N
(d) The resultant of coplanar forces of 4 N
at 0°, 3 N at 90° and 8 N at 180° is 15 N.
Figure 5.34
11. 
A space diagram of a force system is

Part Two
shown in Figure 5.32. Which of the vector
he horizontal component of FA is
(a) T
diagrams in Figure 5.33 does not represent
8.66 N
this force system?
(b) The vertical component of FB is 10 N
(c) The horizontal component of FC is 0
(d) The vertical component of FD is 4 N
13. The resultant of two forces of 3 N and 4 N
can never be equal to:
(a) 2.5 N (b) 4.5 N
(c) 6.5 N (d) 7.5 N
14. The magnitude of the resultant of the vec-
Figure 5.32 tors shown in Figure 5.35 is:
(a) 5 N (b) 13 N
(c) 1 N (d) 63 N

Figure 5.35

Figure 5.33

For fully worked solutions to each of the problems in Practice Exercises 32 to 39 in this chapter,
go to the website:
[Link]/cw/bird