Statics/Two-Dimensional Equilibrium

There are six equations expressing the equilibrium of a rigid body in 3 dimensions.

Sum of Forces: , ,

Sum of Moments: , ,

In two dimensions one direction of force and two directions of moments can be ignored. When forces exist only in the x and y directions, there cannot be a moment in any direction except z. The equations of concern when forces only exist in the x and y directions are shown below.

Sum of Forces: ,

Sum of Moments:

To solve two dimensional statics problems:

  • draw a free body diagram
  • Write equations for force equilibrium
  • Write equations for moment equilibrium
  • Once you have the same number of equations as unknowns the problem can be solved, you may have to strategically pick points to write moment equations etc.

Couple edit

 
F1 and F2 are equal

A couple exerts the same moment at every point as demonstrated in this section. After looking at the picture to the right the following equations can be written. Counter clockwise moments are considered positive and clockwise negative. F1 = F2


 

 

 

The moment about all points is the force multiplied by the distance between the forces. If you found the moment about D, or any other point you would continue to find the same moment. All points have the same moment, even points that aren't in the x-y plane.

Example 1 edit

 

Question edit

The picture to the right shows the forces acting on a parked car. If the weight of the car acts exactly halfway between the two wheels and the weight is 1000 lbs how much force is exerted on the rear wheel? What about the front wheel?

Answer edit

Writing the force equations

 

There are no forces in the x direction

 

Writing moment equation about front wheel

 

 

subbing   back into the  

 

 

Please note that   and   are distributed over two wheels. Each front wheel supports half of   and each back wheel supports half of  .

Example 2 edit

Question:

A uniform ring of mass   and radius   carries an eccentric mass   at a radius   and is in equilibrium position on an incline, which makes an angle   with the horizontal. If the contacting surfaces are rough enough to prevent slipping, write the expression for the angle   which defines the equilibrium position.
Answer: