Applied Physics for Engineers
(BAPHY101)
Dr. Ankush
Department of Physics, SAS
📍303 J – CBMR (Near Guest House)
✉️ [Link]@[Link]
Syllabus
● Module I
Statics of Particles
● Module II
Analysis of Structures & Section
● Module III
Friction
● Module IV
Dynamics of Particles
● Module V
Dynamics of Rigid Bodies
● Module VI
Contemporary Topics
Expected Course Outcomes
At the end of the course, you will be able to
1) Calculate the resultant of system of forces and support reactions of structures.
2) Evaluate section properties of physical systems using transfer theorems.
3) Explain the dynamics of particles and rigid bodies using equations of motion.
4) Solve the problems of rigid body motion using work–energy and angular impulse –
momentum principles.
5) Apply experimental methods to analyze mechanical systems and validate theoretical
models and conservation laws.
Books
●
Text Book
→ Beer, Johnston, Mazurek, Cornwell, Self, and Sanghi, Vector Mechanics for
Engineers: Statics | Dynamics, 12th Edition, McGraw-Companies, Inc., New
York, 2019.
●
Reference Books
→ Russell C Hibbeler, Engineering Mechanics: Statics and Dynamics (14th
Edition), Pearson Education Inc., Prentice Hall, 2016.
→ Meriam J.L and Kraige L.G., Engineering Mechanics, Volume I - Statics,
Volume II-Dynamics, 9th Edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 2018.
Assessment tools
QUIZ1
1) CAT1
QUIZ2
2) CAT2
CASE STUDY
3) FAT
Course is Applied Physics?
●
Yes, or to be more precise, it is applied
mechanics, or to be even more precise, it is
applied Newtonian Mechanics.
What is Mechanics?
●
ChatGPT: Mechanics is a branch of physics that deals with the study of motion,
forces, and the effects of forces on objects. It explains how and why objects move (or
don’t move) under the influence of various forces.
●
DeepSeek: Mechanics is the branch of physics that deals with the motion of objects
(bodies) and the forces that cause or affect that motion. It's essentially the science of
how and why things move (or stay still).
●
Beer, Johnston et al. : Mechanics is defined as the science that describes and
predicts the conditions of 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.
Mechanics
Mechanics of Mechanics of Mechanics of
rigid bodies deformable bodies fluids
Statics Dynamics
Kinematics Kinetics
Statics Deals with bodies at rest.
Displacement
Kinematics Velocity
Acceleration
Dynamics
Force/Torque
Kinetics
Energy/Momentum
Particle & Rigid body
●
Particle: A particle has a mass. but a size that can be neglected.
E.g.: the size of the earth is insignificant compared to the size of its orbit,
and therefore the earth can be modeled as a particle when studying its
orbital motion
●
Rigid body: It is a combination of alarge number of particles in which all the
particles remain at a fixed distance from one another, both before and after
applying a load.
Scalars & Vectors
●
Scalars: Those physical quantities that can be completely described by its
magnitude. E.g.: Length, mass, and time.
●
Vectors: Those physical quantities that require both magnitude and direction
for its complete description AND add according to specific vectors addition
laws such as triangle law or parallelogram law of vector addition. E.g.:
Force, Position, and Torque.
Triangle law of vector addition
⃗
R
⃗
B
ɸ ᶿ
⃗
A
Cosine and Sine Law
Numerical 1
Source: Russell C Hibbeler, Engineering Mechanics: Statics and Dynamics (14th Edition),
Pearson Education Inc., Prentice Hall, 2016.
Solution
●
Use Parallelogram law of vector
addition
●
Or it is simply law of cosines
Numerical 2
Source: Russell C Hibbeler, Engineering Mechanics: Statics and Dynamics (14th Edition),
Pearson Education Inc., Prentice Hall, 2016.
Lecture 2
Cartesian vector representation &
direction cosines
Cartesian Vector representation
Right handed coordinate system
Direction of a Cartesian Vector
Cartesian vector representation
Addition of Cartesian vector
The addition (or subtraction) of two or more vectors are
greatly simplified if the vectors are expressed in terms of
their Cartesian components.
Addition of Cartesian vector
The addition (or subtraction) of two or more vectors are
greatly simplified if the vectors are expressed in terms of
their Cartesian components.
Numerical 1
Express the force F
shown in the figure
below as a Cartesian
vector.
Solution 1
Numerical 2
Determine the
magnitude and the
coordinate direction
angles of the resultant
force acting on the ring
in Figure below.
Solution 2
Solution 2
Lecture 3
Coplanar vector addition, non-
concurrent vectors
Coplanar vectors
Coplanar Vectors: Coplanar vectors are vectors that lie in the same plane, or
can be arranged to lie in the same plane. In simpler terms, if you can draw all the
vectors on a single sheet of paper without lifting your pen into the third
dimension, they are coplanar.
1. Definition:
Vectors are said to be coplanar if there exists a plane in which all the vectors lie
[Link] arrows lie flat on a single sheet (a plane), they’re coplanar. But
if even one arrow “sticks out” of that sheet, they are non-coplanar.
2. Mathematical Condition:
●
For 2 vectors:Any two vectors are always coplanar because you can always
form a plane using just two vectors.
●
For 3 vectors: Any three vectors A, B, and C are coplanar if and only if their
scalar triple product is zero:
⃗ .( B
A ⃗ )=0
⃗ ×C
This condition ensures that the volume of the parallelepiped formed by the three
vectors is zero — implying they lie in the same plane.
Concurrent vectors
Vectors are said to be
concurrent if they all pass
through the same point — i.e.,
they have a common point of
intersection (like a meeting
point).
Numerical 1
Determine the x and y components of
F1 and F2 acting on the boom
shown in adjoining Figure. Express
each force as a Cartesian vector.
Solution
Solution
Numerical 2
Solution-2A
Solution-2B
Numerical 3
Solution
Static Equilibrium of a Particle
Class 28 July, Monday
A particle is said to be in equilibrium if it remains at rest if originally at rest,
or has a constant velocity if originally in motion.
Most often, however, the term “equilibrium” or, more specifically, “static
equilibrium” is used to describe an object at [Link] maintain equilibrium, it
is necessary to satisfy Newton’s first law of motion, which requires the
resultant force acting on a particle to be equal to [Link] condition may be
stated mathematically as
Σ F= 0
where ΣF is the vector sum of all the forces acting on the particle.
Free Body Diagram
A Free Body Diagram (FBD) is a simple diagram
used in physics and engineering to show all the
forces acting on a single object (the “body”) after
removing it from its surroundings.
Coplanar Force Systems
If a particle is subjected to a system of coplanar forces that lie in a plane,
then each force can be resolved into its i and j components. For equilibrium,
these forces must sum to produce a zero force resultant, i.e.,
Σ F= 0
Σ Fx i + Σ Fy j = 0
Thus,
Σ Fx = 0
Σ Fy = 0
Three-Dimensional Force Systems
If a particle is subjected to a system of coplanar forces that lie in a plane,
then each force can be resolved into its i and j components. For equilibrium,
these forces must sum to produce a zero force resultant, i.e.,
Σ F= 0
●
Σ Fx i + Σ Fy j + Σ Fz k = 0
Thus,
Σ Fx = 0
Σ Fy = 0
Σ Fz = 0
Numerical 1
Solution 1
Numerical 2
Solution 2
Force system resultant
30 July 2025
●
Moment of a Force Scalar Formulation
●
Moment of a Force-Vector Formulation
●
Principle of Moments
●
Moment of a couple
Moment of a Force: Scalar Formulation
●
If you apply a force to a body, it shows tendency to rotate about a point
that is not in line of action of the force, this tendency to rotate is called
torque/moment.
Moment of a Force Scalar Formulation
Moment of a Force: Scalar Formulation
●
If you apply a force to a body, it shows tendency to rotate about a point
that is not in line of action of the force, this tendency to rotate is called
torque/moment.
●
On the basis of the previous example, the moment appears to depend
on:
– Magnitude of Force
– Perpendicular distance between point of rotation and point of
application of force also called moment arm
Moment of a Force: Scalar Formulation
●
The magnitude of moment is
Mo = F d
●
The direction of the moment is perpendicular to the plane of Force and
moment arm, which can be found by right hand rule.
●
The anticlockwise curl of the fingers represent a moment vector directed
out of the plane
Resultant moment
●
The resultant moment for two
dimensional problems can be
determined finding the algebraic sum
of the moments caused by all the
forces in the system.
●
As a convention, we will generally
consider positive moments as
counterclockwise since they are
directed along the positive z axis (out
of the page). Clockwise moments
will be negative.
(MR) = F1d1- F2d2 + F3d3
O
Numerical 1
Q: Determine the resultant
moment of the four forces acting
on the rod shown in adjoining
Fig. about point O.
Solution 1
Cross Product
●
C= A X B
●
Magnitude of C = |A| |B| Sin(ϴ)
●
Direction of C is given by right hand rule
CARTESIAN VECTOR FORM
Moment of a Force: Vector Formulation
●
The moment of a force F about point O, or actually about the moment
axis passing through O and perpendicular to the plane containing O and
F, can be expressed using the vector cross product, namely,
MO = r x F
●
Here r represents a position vector directed from O to any point on the
line of action of F.
Moment of a Force: Vector Formulation
●
The magnitude of the cross product is
defined as
MO = rF Sin(ϴ),
●
OR since the moment arm is
d= r Sin(ϴ) then
MO = rF Sin(ϴ)
Numerical 2
Q: Force F acts at the end of the
angle bracket shown in Fig.
Determine the moment of the
force about point O.
Solution 2
Solution
Principle of Moments/Varignon’s theorem
●
It states that the moment of a force
about a point is equal to the sum of the
moments of the components of the
force about the point.
MO = r × F= r × (F1 + F2)= r × F1 + r × F2
Moment of a couple
●
What is a couple?
In mechanics, a couple is a system of two equal, parallel, and opposite
forces whose lines of action do not coincide.
Moment of a couple
●
What is a couple?
– A couple is defined as two parallel forces that
have the same magnitude, but opposite
directions, and are separated by a
perpendicular distance d
– Since the resultant force is zero, the only
effect of a couple is to produce a rotation or
tendency of rotation in a specified direction.
Moment of a couple
●
What is moment of couple?
– The moment produced by a couple is
called couple moment.
– We can determine its value by finding
the sum of the moments of both
couple forces about any arbitrary
point.
Moment of a couple
●
The couple moment determined about O
is
M= rB x F + rA x –F = (rB – rA) x F
Also, rB = rA + r
Therefore, r = rB – rA
And M = r x F
●
This result indicates that a couple moment is a free vector, i.e.,
it can act at any point since M depends only upon the position
vector r directed between the forces and not the position
vectors rA and rB, directed from the arbitrary point O to the
forces. This concept is unlike the moment of a force, which
requires a definite point (or axis) about which moments are
determined.
Equivalent system
1 August 2025
Dr. Ankush, [Link] r@vit. [Link]
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Content
• Equivalent system
• Resultants of a force and a couple system,
• Further reduction of a Force and Couple system
• Numerical 1
• Numerical 2
2
Couple moment
The moment of a couple about any arbitrary point
O is given as
⃗ ⃗ ⃗ ⃗ ⃗ ⃗ ⃗
M = rB × F + rA × − F = ( rB − rA ) × F ⃗
But rB ⃗ = rA ⃗ + r ⃗ or r ⃗ = rB ⃗ − rA ⃗
⃗
Thus, M = r ⃗ × F ⃗
• This result indicates that a couple moment is a free vector, i.e., it can act at any point since M depends only upon the
position vector r directed between the forces and not the position vectors rA and rB
• This concept is unlike the moment of a force, which requires a de nite point (or axis) about which moments are
determined.
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Resultant Couple Moment
Find the result nt moment?
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Resultant Couple Moment
Since e ch couple moment is free vector, you c n
displ ce them to use vector l w of ddition
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a
a
a
a
a
Simpli cation of a Force & Couple system
• Sometimes it is convenient to reduce a system of forces and couple moments
acting on a body to a simpler form by replacing it with an equivalent system,
consisting of
a single resultant force acting at a speci c point and a resultant couple moment
• A system is equivalent if the external e ects (translation and rotation) it produces on a
body are the same as those caused by the original force and couple moment system.
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Example 1 of equivalent system
Example 2 of equivalent system
System of Forces & Couple moments
System of Forces & Couple moments
System of Forces & Couple moments
Numerical 1
• Replace the force and couple system shown in Fig. by an equivalent resultant force
and couple moment acting at point O.
Numerical 2
The structural member is subjected to a couple
moment M and forces F1 and F2 in Fig. Replace
this system by an equivalent resultant force and
couple moment acting at its base, point O.
Solution
Equillibrium of a rigid body
2 August 2025
Dr Ankush, [Link] r@vit. [Link]
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Content
• Conditions of rigid body equilibrium,
• Equilibrium in 2D,
• Free body diagram,
• Eqns of equilibrium,
• Equilibrium in 3D
• Numericals
Conditions of rigid body equilibrium
#
Or for st tic equilibrium
• You can nd an equivalent system that has one resultant force and one resultant
moment
• If that equivalent force and equivalent moment both are ZERO then the body is said
to be in equilibrium
• Mathematically,
∑ ∑
FR = F=0 and (MR)O = (M)O = 0
• These two equations are not only necessary for equilibrium, they are also su cient.
# NO Deformations
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🎭 Twist: Something Necessary*
Statement: “Having a brain is necessary to do math, but not su cient.”
Explanation: 🧠 Everyone who does math needs a brain, so it’s necessary.
But just having a brain doesn’t guarantee you can do math well — that takes
practice, study, and probably some crying. 😅
So, having a brain is not su cient.
Credits: ChatGPT
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Support reactions
Wh t kind of forces or moments do supports exert?
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Numerical 1
• Two smooth pipes, each having a mass of 300 kg, are supported by the forked tines
of the tractor in Fig below. Draw the free-body diagrams for each pipe and both
pipes together.
More on Equilibrium of rigid bodies
Dr. Ankush, 4 August 2025
Lami’s Theorem
Statement: If three coplanar forces acting at a point are in equilibrium, each force is
proportional to the sine of the angle between the other two forces.
F1 F2 F3
= =
sin α sin β sin γ
Two-Force Members
For any two-force member to be in equilibrium,
the two forces acting on the member must have
the same magnitude, act in opposite directions,
and have the same line of action, directed along
the line joining the two points where these
forces act.
Three Force Members
If a member is subjected to only three forces,
it is called a three-force member. Moment
equilibrium can be satis ed only if the three
forces form a concurrent or parallel force
system.
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Numerical 1
The lever ABC is pin supported at A and connected
to a short link BD as shown in Fig. If the weight of the
members is negligible, determine the force of the pin
on the lever at A.
Numerical 2
The boom is used to support the 75-lb owerpot in
Fig. Determine the tension developed in wires AB and
AC.
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