ENGG 409: ENGINEERNG MECHANICS

MODULE 1:
FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS in MECHANICS.
 Physical Quantities
 Forces: Properties and Effects
 Free Body Diagrams

Prepared by:
Engr. Erin Jaycee D. Salazar, RChT

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FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS in MECHANICS:
Physical Quantities
What is Mechanics?
It is the study of force, deformation, and motion, and the relations between them. This is
also the branch of the physical sciences that is concerned with the state of rest or motion of
bodies that are subjected to the action of forces. In mechanics, System exists which is defined as
a body or form that either receives or exerts forces, (i.e., a gear, a car, a butterfly, a skateboard
and rider, etc.). Mechanics is sub-divided into three branches namely: rigid-body mechanics,
deformable-body dynamics, and fluid mechanics. And rigid-body mechanics is divided into two
areas:
Statics. Which deals with the equilibrium of bodies, those of which are at rest or moving
at a constant velocity.
Dynamics. Which is concerned with the accelerated motion of bodies.
Understanding the fundamentals of engineering mechanics is imperative to further
comprehension of its application. The following are the four basic quantities used throughout
mechanics.
Length. This is used to locate the position of a point in a space and thereby describe the
size of a physical system. Once a standard unit of length is defined, one can then use it to
define distances and geometric properties of a body as multiples of this unit.
Time. It is conceived as a succession of events. Although the principles of statics are time
independent, this quantity plays an important role in the study of dynamics.
Mass. is a measure of a quantity of matter that is used to compare the action of one body
with that of another. This property manifests itself as a gravitational attraction between
two bodies and provides a measure of the resistance of matter to a change in velocity.
Force. It is generally the “push” or “pull” exerted by one body on another. This
interaction can occur when there is direct contact between the bodies, such as a person
pushing on a wall, or it can occur through a distance when the bodies are physically
separated. Examples of the latter type include gravitational, electrical, and magnetic
forces. In any case, a force is completely characterized by its magnitude, direction, and
point of application.

IDEALIZATION OR MODELS. Models or idealizations are used in mechanics in order to

simplify application of the theory. Here we will consider three important idealizations.

Particle. This has a mass, but a size that can be neglected. For example, 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. When a body is idealized as a
particle, the principles of mechanics reduce to a rather simplified form since the geometry
of the body will not be involved in the analysis of the problem.

Rigid Body. This can be considered as a combination of a large number of particles in

which all the particles remain at a fixed distance from one another, both before and after
applying a load. This model is important because the body’s shape does not change when
a load is applied, and so we do not have to consider the type of material from which the
body is made. In most cases the actual deformations occurring in structures, machines,
mechanisms, and the like are relatively small, and the rigid-body assumption is suitable
for analysis.

Concentrated Force. This represents the effect of a loading which is assumed to act at a
point on a body. We can represent a load by a concentrated force, provided the area over
which the load is applied is very small compared to the overall size of the body. An
example would be the contact force between a wheel and the ground.

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SCALAR AND VECTOR QUANTITIES. These two types of quantities together enable a
comprehensive understanding of physical systems, where scalars define "how much" and vectors
define "how much and in which direction."
Scalar. function to describe the magnitude or size of a physical property, providing
essential numerical values needed to quantify phenomena without involving direction.
 Distance: The total length of the path traveled (e.g., 5 meters).
 Speed: Rate of motion regardless of direction (e.g., 50 km/h).
 Mass: Amount of matter in an object (e.g., 10 kg).
 Time: A measure of duration (e.g., 20 seconds).
 Temperature: A measure of thermal energy (e.g., 25°C).
 Energy: Work done or stored (e.g., 100 Joules).

Vector. function to describe both the magnitude and direction of a physical property,
allowing for a complete representation of interactions and motion in a specific orientation.
 Displacement: Shortest distance between two points in a specific direction (e.g., 5 meters east).
 Velocity: Speed with a specific direction (e.g., 60 km/h north).
 Force: Push or pull with magnitude and direction (e.g., 100 N upward).
 Acceleration: Rate of change of velocity in a specific direction (e.g., 9.8 m/s2 downward).
 Momentum: Product of mass and velocity with direction (e.g., 15 kg-m/s to the right).
Moreover, there are rules on to which vectors adhere such as Triangle Method or Rule,
Parallelogram Method or Rule, and Component Method, - which will be discussed further in this
course’s module.
For a more convenient way of understanding the two quantities, presented below is a comparison
table:

Property Scalar Vector

Definition Only magnitude Magnitude and direction
Representation Single Value Arrow
Examples Distance, speed, mass Displacement, velocity, force
Mathematics Standard Arithmetic Vector addition and subtraction

Forces
Force. This may be defined as that which, if unopposed, changes or tends to change, the
state of motion of a body. This definition applies to the external effects of a force. This are
considered in this course subject The internal force on the other hand is a force which produces
stress and deformation in the body on which the force acts – which is more relevant in Strength
of Materials.
The characteristics of a force are: magnitude; point of application; nature of force;
position of its line of action, and; direction or sense I which the force acts along it line of action.
 Magnitude. This represents the size or strength of the force.
 Point of Application. This is the exact location where th force is applied to the body.
 Nature of Force. May be contact such as friction, and tension, or non-contact force, which
are gravity ang magnetism.
 Position of its line of action. An imaginary line extending along the direction of the force.
 Direction. Is indicative of the line of action of the force.
Transmissibility Principle. This states that the external effect of a force on a body is the
same for all points of application along its line of action; let’s say for example, it may be free
or independent of the point of application. The internal effect of a force, however, is
definitely dependent of the point of application.

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 Force Systems. A force system is any arrangement where tow or more forces act on a
body or on a group of related bodies. These forces can have different magnitudes, directions, and
points of application. There are different force systems, and they are the following:
Coplanar Force Systems. These are sets of forces that lie in the same plane. Let’s say for
example we have forces acting on one single flat surface – a beam subjected to vertical loads.
There are, however, still types of coplanar forces which are:
Concurrent – where forces intersect at a common point in the same plane.
Non – Concurrent – where forces do not intersect at a common point but remain
in the same plane
Parallel – forces which are parallel to each other in the same plane.
Non – Coplanar Force Systems. It is a force system where forces do not lie in the same
plane, but may act in a three-dimensional space. Like forces acting up on towers, or a crane.
There are also types of non - coplanar forces which are:
Concurrent – where forces meet at a common point but are not in the same plane.
Non – Concurrent – where forces do not meet at a common point and are not in
the same plane
Parallel – forces which are parallel but do not lie in the same plane.
Collinear Force Systems. This force systems is where forces act along the same straight
line. Let’s say for example forces in a tug-of-war. Since the forces in this system are in the same
line of action, they can conveniently be just added algebraically.
Concurrent Force System. This is where all forces intersect at a single point, regardless
of whether they are coplanar or non – coplanar. For example, the forces acting on a suspension
bridge cable. This system, on the other hand, can be determined using vector addition such as:
triangle or polygon method.
Parallel Force Systems. A force system in which all forces are parallel to each other,
regardless of their magnitudes or points of application. We have let’s say forces acting on a beam
vertically. There are two types of Parallel forces which are Like – which act in the same
direction; while Unlike - act in the opposite direction.
Couples. These are systems of two parallel forces that are equal in magnitude but
opposite in direction, and separated by a distance producing a turning effect (also referred to as
moment) but no net force.
AXIOMS IN MECHANICS. These are also referred to as the fundamental principles or laws
of mechanics, form the foundation of classical mechanics. These axioms are universally
accepted assumptions used to analyze forces, motion, and the equilibrium of bodies.
1. Newton’s Laws of Motion
First Law: Law of Inertia.
A body remains at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external
force.
In this law, objects resist changes in their state of motion unless a net external force is
applied.
Second Law: Law of Acceleration.
The rate of change of momentum of a body is directly proportional to the net external force
applied to it and occurs in the direction of the force.
This law simply states that, the greater the force, the greater the acceleration of the body
for a given mass. This also provides the quantitative relationship between force, mass, and
acceleration.

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 Third Law: Action and Reaction Law
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
This states that forces always occur in pairs, thus when one body exerts a force on
another, the second body exerts an equal and opposite force on the first.

2. Parallelogram Law of Forces.

If two forces acting simultaneously on a particle are represented in magnitude and direction by
two adjacent sides of a parallelogram, their resultant is represented in magnitude and direction
by the diagonal of the parallelogram passing through their point of intersection.
This axiom is the one mainly contributing to the basis for vector addition of forces.

3. Transmissibility.
The effect of a force on a rigid body remains unchanged if the force is applied at a different
point along its line of action.
This can be interpreted as forces can be shifted along their line of action without altering
the equilibrium or motion of the body.

4. Superposition.
The net effect of a system of forces on a body is equal to the vector sum of the individual forces.
Forces can be added geometrically (vector addition) to find the resultant force.

5. Rigid Body Assumption.

A rigid body does not deform under the action of forces, and the distances between its points
remain constant.
This is an idealization that simplifies mechanical analysis.

6. Conservation.
Momentum.
The total momentum of a system of particles remains constant if no external force acts on the
system.

Energy
The total mechanical energy (kinetic + potential) of a system remains constant if only
conservative forces act on the system.

7. Work and Energy.

The work done by the net force acting on a body is equal to the change in its kinetic energy.

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PARALLELOGRAM, TRIANGLE, AND POLYGON LAWS
Parallelogram Law. This is used for the addition of forces.
“If two forces acting at a point are represented both in magnitude and direction by the two
adjacent sides of a parallelogram, then the resultant of the two forces is represented both in
magnitude and direction by the diagonal of the parallelogram passing through the same point.”

Triangle Law. It states that if two forces acting on a body can be represented by two
sides of triangle taken in same order then their resultant can be represented by third side of the
triangle, taken in reverse order

R P Q
¿ =
sin β sin α sinθ

Example No. 1. Find the resultant of the given forces:

.

3N
4N

Parallelogram Law

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 R
3N
α
4N
R=√ 42 +32 +2(3∗4)cos 90
R=5
3 sin 90
tan α =
7 cos 90
−1 3 sin 90
α =tan
7 cos 90
o
α =36.86
Triangle Law
3N
α
4N
By cosine Rule:

R=√ 42 +32 +2(3∗4)cos 90

R=5
By sine rule:

R 3
=
sin 90 sin α
3
sin α =
5
−1 3
α =sin
5
o
α =36.87

Free Body Diagram.

A Free Body Diagram (FBD) is a graphical representation used in mechanics to
illustrate all the forces acting on a single body or object. It is a simplified diagram showing the
object isolated (as if "free") from its surroundings, with all the external forces, moments, and
reactions acting on it represented by arrows.
For example: A block of mass 𝑚=10 kg rests on a smooth inclined plane (frictionless) at
an angle 𝜃=30∘. Draw the free body diagram for the block.
1. Detach the object of interest from its environment.
2. Consider all the acting forces, both – external and reactional.
3. Represent Forces by drawing arrows relative to the direction and magnitude which is
determined by length of the arrow.
4. Label the forces with symbols, mostly letters.
5. Include dimensions.

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 Example No. 2. A block of mass m is held in position by strings A B and A C as shown in
the figure below. Draw the FBD of the block.

FBD

Example No. 3 Two carts connected by pulleys. The two masses shown in the figure
below have frictionless bases and round frictionless pulleys. The inextensible massless cord
connecting them is a always stretched. Mass A is pulled to the left by force F and mass B is
pulled to the right by Force P as shown below. Draw an FBD of each mass.

FBD

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 Example No. 4. Resolve the 2000 N force into wo oblique components one acting along
AB and the other acting along BC.

FBD:

Solution:
2
tanθ=
3
−1 2 o
ϴ=tan =33.6 9
3
By sine rule,

2000 F AB F BC
¿ =
sin 33.69 sin 90 sin56.31

2000 F AB
¿
sin 33.69 sin 90
F AB ¿ 2000 ¿ ¿ ¿

2000(1)
F AB ¿
sin 33.69
F BC ¿ 2000 ¿ ¿ ¿

Final Answer:
F AB ¿ 3605.56 N

F AB ¿ 3000 N

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 Example No. 5. A force 360 N is acting on a block as shown in the figure below. Find
the components of forces along the x-y axis which are parallel and perpendicular to the inclined
plane.

FBD:

Solution:
Find Px:

P x =P cos(θ 1+θ 2)

P x =360 cos(70.56)
P x =119.82 N

Py:
P y =P sin (θ1 +θ2)

P y =360 sin (70.56)

P y =339.48 N

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