CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
CHAPTER OUTLINE
1/1 Mechanics
1/2 Basic Concepts
1/3 Scalars and Vectors
1/4 Newton’s Laws
1/5 Units
1/6 Law of Gravitation
1/7 Accuracy, Limits, and Approximations
1/8 Problem Solving in Statics
1/9 Chapter Review
1/10 Sample Problem
Tutorial Problems By Duk.of.arch – www.flickr.com/photos/dukeofarch/Getty Images, Inc.
Article 1/1 Mechanics
• Mechanics deals with the effects of forces on objects.

• No other subject plays a greater role in engineering analysis.

• Mechanics is the oldest of the physical sciences.

• This course deals with the development and application of the

principles of mechanics.

• Statics is concerned with the equilibrium of bodies under the action of

forces.
Article 1/2 Basic Concepts
• Space: is the geometric region occupied by bodies whose positions are described by linear and angular
measurements relative to a coordinate system. For three-dimensional problems, three independent coordinates are
needed. For two- dimensional problems, only two coordinates are required.
• Time: is the measure of the succession of events and is a basic quantity in dynamics. Time is not directly involved in
the analysis of statics problems.
• Mass: is a measure of the inertia of a body, which is its resistance to a change of velocity. Mass can also be thought
of as the quantity of matter in a body. The mass of a body affects the gravitational attraction force between it and other
bodies. This force appears in many applications in statics.
• Force: is the action of one body on another. A force tends to move a body in the direction of its action. The action of
a force is characterized by its magnitude, by the direction of its action, and by its point of application. Thus force is a
vector quantity, and its properties are discussed in detail in Chapter 2.
• Particle: is a body of negligible dimensions. In the mathematical sense, a particle is a body whose dimensions are
considered to be near zero so that we may analyze it as a mass concentrated at a point. We often choose a particle as
a differential element of a body. We may treat a body as a particle when its dimensions are irrelevant to the description
of its position or the action of forces applied to it.
• Rigid Body: A body is considered rigid when the change in distance between any two of its points is negligible for
the purpose at hand. For instance, the calculation of the tension in the cable which supports the boom of a mobile crane
under load is essentially unaffected by the small internal deformations in the structural members of the boom. For the
purpose, then, of determining the external forces which act on the boom, we may treat it as a rigid body. Statics deals
primarily with the calculation of external forces which act on rigid bodies in equilibrium. Determination of the internal
deformations belongs to the study of the mechanics of deformable bodies, which normally follows Statics in the
curriculum.
Article 1/3 Scalars and Vectors
• Scalar Quantity
• A quantity with only a magnitude.
• Examples: time, volume, density, speed, energy and mass

• Vector Quantity
• Quantity with a magnitude and a direction & sense.
• Examples: displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, moment and weight
Article 1/3 – Types of Vectors in Mechanics
• Types of Vectors

• Free Vector – one whose action is not confined to or associated with a unique
line in space.

• Sliding Vector – has a unique line of action in space but not a unique point of
application.

• Fixed Vector – has a unique line of action and point of application.

Article 1/3 – Conventions for Equations and Diagrams
• Vector Representation
• Line Segment with an Arrowhead to Indicate Direction
• Written in Bold, Roman Type, e.g., V
• Magnitude is Written in Lightface, Italic type, e.g., V

• Always Distinguish between Scalars and Vectors

• Use an underline, over-arrow, under-squiggle, etc., to represent vectors.
• Failure to do so causes many mistakes in mechanics.
Article 1/3 – Working with Vectors (1 of 4)
• Drawing Vectors
• Line Segment with an Arrowhead to Indicate Direction

• Reference Angle θ
Article 1/3 – Working with Vectors (2 of 4)
• Parallelogram Law of Addition – Vector Sum V = V1 + V2
• Two Vectors, V1 and V2, treated as free vectors, may be replaced by their equivalent vector V,
which is the diagonal of the parallelogram formed by V1 and V2. This is called a vector sum.

• Vector Difference V′ = V1 – V2 (Adding a Negative)

Article 1/3 – Working with Vectors (3 of 4)
• Non-Rectangular Components

• Rectangular Components (x-y)

• Axis Orientation
Article 1/3 – Working with Vectors (4 of 4)
• Unit Vector Representation, V = Vn
• A unit vector n has a magnitude of one (unity) and points in the direction of a
vector.

• Three-Dimensional Vectors and Direction Cosines

• V = Vxi + Vyj + Vzk
• Vx = V cos θx = Vl where l = cos θx
• Vy = V cos θy = Vm where m = cos θy
• Vz = V cos θz = Vn where n = cos θz

• Pythagorean Theorem (Vector Magnitude)

• V2 = Vx2 + Vy2 + Vz2
• l2 + m2 + n2 = 1
Article 1/4 Newton’s Laws
• Law I
A particle remains at rest or continues to move with uniform velocity (in a
straight line with a constant speed) if there is no unbalanced force acting on it.

• Law II
The acceleration of a particle is proportional to the vector sum of forces acting
on it and is in the direction of this vector sum.

• Law III
The forces of action and reaction between interacting bodies are equal in
magnitude, opposite in direction, and collinear (they lie on the same line).
Article 1/5 Units
• Fundamental Quantities of Mechanics and their Units
Article 1/5 – SI Units
• Base Units
• kilogram (kg)
• meter (m)
• second (s)

• Derived Unit: Newton (N)

• Force Unit
• N = kg·m/s2

• Acceleration of Gravity
• SI Units: g = 9.806 m/s2 ≈ 9.81 m/s2 (unless stated otherwise)
Article 1/6 Law of Gravitation
• Mathematical Expression

F = the mutual force of attraction between two particles

G = a universal constant known as the constant of gravitation
m1, m2 = the masses of the two particles
r = the distance between the centers of the particles

• Constant of Gravitation, G
• SI Units: G = 6.673(10-11) m3/(kg·s2)
Article 1/6 – Gravitational Attraction of the Earth
• Weight, W = mg

• SI Problems
• Mass m is always in kilograms (kg) and is almost always provided in the book.
• Acceleration of gravity g = 9.81 m/s2 (unless stated otherwise).
• Weight W is in Newtons (N).
• Kilogram (kg) is not a force!
Article 1/7 Accuracy, Limits, and Approximations
• Significant Figures Used in the Textbook

• The textbook assumes that all given numbers are exact for simplicity.

• If the first non-zero digit is a one (1), the textbook will record four (4)
significant figures in the answer.

• If the first non-zero digit is a two through nine (2-9), the textbook will record
three (3) significant figures in the answer.

• Retain all significant figures on intermediate calculations in a calculator, but

only record answers or calculations according to the convention listed above.
Article 1/7 – Small-Angle Approximations
• Small Angle Approximations (with radians)

• sin θ ≅ tan θ ≅ θ and sin dθ ≅ tan dθ ≅ dθ

• cos θ ≅ 1 and cos dθ ≅ 1

• Sample Calculation
• 1° = 0.017 453 rad, sin 1° = 0.017452, tan 1° = 0.017455, cos 1° = 0.999848
• The percent error for the sine function is only 0.51% at 10°.

• If more accuracy is required, retain the first two terms in the series expansion
of the function.

• To convert from degrees to radians, multiply the angle in degrees by π/180°.

Article 1/8 Problem Solving in Statics (1 of 4)
• “Dual Thought” Process in Statics
Think about the physical situation and the corresponding mathematical
description.

• Make Appropriate Assumptions

• Use Graphics
1. Representing a problem geometrically helps us with its physical
interpretation. This is especially true for three-dimensional problems.
2. Graphical solutions can often be obtained more readily than with a direct
mathematical solution.
3. Charts and graphs are valuable aids for representing results.
Article 1/8 Problem Solving in Statics (2 of 4)
• Formulating Problems and Obtaining Solutions
1. Formulate the problem
a) State the given data.
b) State the desired result.
c) State your assumptions and approximations.
2. Develop the solution
a) Draw any diagrams you need to understand the relationships.
b) State the governing principles to be applied to your solution.
c) Make your calculations.
d) Ensure that your calculations are consistent with the accuracy justified by the data.
e) Be sure that you have used consistent units throughout your calculations.
f) Ensure that your answers are reasonable in terms of magnitudes, directions,
common sense, etc.
g) Draw conclusions.
Article 1/8 Problem Solving in Statics (3 of 4)
• The Free-Body Diagram
• Isolation of a Body from all other Interacting Bodies
• Developed Fully in Chapter 3
• Most Important Step in Equilibrium Problems

• Numerical Values versus Symbols

• Symbolic Solutions Advantages
• Helps to focus attention on the connection between the physical situation and its related
mathematical description.
• Can be used repeatedly for obtaining answers to the same type or problem but having
different units or numerical values.
• Enables dimensional checks at every step to ensure dimensional homogeneity.
Article 1/8 Problem Solving in Statics (4 of 4)
• Solution Methods
1. Obtain mathematical solutions by hand, using either algebraic symbols or
numerical values. We can solve most problems this way.

2. Obtain graphical solutions for certain problems.

3. Solve problems by computer. This is useful when a large number of equations

must be solved, when a parameter variation must be studied, or when an
intractable equation must be solved.
Article 1/9 Chapter Review
Article 1/10 – Sample Problem (1 of 3)
• Problem Statement
For the vectors V1 and V2 shown in the figure,
a) determine the magnitude S of their vector sum S = V1 + V2
b) determine the angle 𝛼 between S and the positive x-axis
c) write S as a vector in terms of the unit vectors i and j and then write a unit vector n along the
vector sum S
d) determine the vector difference D = V1 − V2
Article 1/10 – Sample Problem (2 of 3)
• Part a) – Magnitude of S

• Part b) – Angle Between S and x-axis

• Part c) – Vector Expression for S and n

Article 1/10 – Sample Problem (3 of 3)
• Part d) – Vector Difference