Chapter 1 - Force
Chapter 1 - Force
Chapter 1 - Force
Force: Force is that cause which changes the state of a body (either the state of rest or the state of motion) or
changes the size or shape of the body.
A force does not change the mass of the body on which it is applied.
We cannot see a force. However, we can see or feel the effect of a force.
A force is expressed by stating both its magnitude and direction.
Force is a vector quantity; represented by an arrow hen (→).
It is measured in units of Newton (N) in the International System of Units (SI).
o One Newton is defined as the force which when applied on a moving body of mass 1 kg in the
direction of its motion, increases its speed by 1 m in one second.
Force can cause linear motion (translation) of an object.
Examples of forces include pushing, pulling, tension, compression, friction, and gravity.
A force when applied on a rigid body can cause only change in motion of the body. But a force when
applied on a non-rigid body can cause both change in its size or shape and motion in it.
o Rigid & Non-rigid body: A body, in which the inter-spacing between its constituent particles
does not change when a force is applied on it, is called a rigid body and if it changes, the body
is called a non-rigid body.
Moment of Force: Moment of force i.e. Torque is a measure of force (or rotational force) that can cause an
object to rotate about an axis.
Torque, also known as moment of force.
It is a vector quantity as well, with direction determined by the right-hand rule.
o The direction of anticlockwise moment is along the axis of rotation outwards
o The direction of clockwise moment is along the axis of rotation inwards.
Torque is measured in units of Newton-meters (N·m) or pound-feet (lb·ft).
o The unit N m of moment of force (or torque) is not written joule (J).
Because, the unit N m for work or energy is written joule (J) because
torque is a vector, while work or energy is a sealar quantity.
Torque causes rotational motion (rotation) of an object around an axis.
It is the product of force and the perpendicular distance from the axis of
rotation to the line of action of the force.
Torque is often represented as τ (tau) in equations.
Mathematically, torque (τ)= Force(F) × Distance (r) × sin(θ)
Simply, (τ)= Force(F) × Perpendicular Distance
In summary:
Force primarily deals with linear motion and the interactions between objects in terms of pushing or pulling,
while torque deals with rotational motion and the twisting or turning effect applied to an object around an
axis.
Moment of force = turning effect of force = torque (all are same)
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Distance from the Axis of Rotation: A force applied at a greater distance from the axis of rotation will
result in a greater turning effect.
Direction of Applied Force: The direction of the applied force relative to the axis of rotation affects the
turning effect. For maximum torque, the force should be applied perpendicular to the lever arm.
Other factors: Distribution of Mass, Shape and Size of the rotating body, Frictional forces, Rotational
inertia, additional torques applied externally, such as gravitational forces or torques from interacting bodies,
stability of the body which depends on center of gravity or a wider base, the material properties of the body,
such as its density and strength, can influence its rotational behavior, especially when subjected to external
forces or torques.
1 kgf = 9.8 N
1 gf = 980 dyne
1. Clockwise Torque: When a torque is applied to an object in such a way that it tends to cause the
object to rotate in the clockwise direction, it is referred to as clockwise torque.
Example: The torque applied for turning a wrench to tighten a bolt in a clockwise direction.
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An object can be at rest relative to one set of objects while in motion relative to some other set of
objects. Thus, rest and motion are relative terms.
Translational Motion: If an object moves in a line in such a way that every point of the object moves through
the same distance in the same time, then the motion of the object is called translatory motion.
Rotational Motion: A body is said to be in a rotational motion if it moves about a fixed axis.
To have rotational motion the body must be pivoted at a point.
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Examples: spinning of a wheel, the rotation of a merry-go-round.
Rotational motion can be described using parameters such as angular velocity, angular acceleration,
angular displacement, and moment of inertia.
In many cases, objects can exhibit both translational and rotational motion simultaneously.
Example, when a wheel rolls down a hill, it experiences translational motion as it moves forward along the
ground and rotational motion as it spins around its axis.
Moment of a couple: The moment of a couple, also known as the torque of a couple, is the measure of
the rotational effect produced by the couple.
It is calculated as the product of one of the forces in the couple and the perpendicular distance
between the lines of action of the two forces.
Moment of couple = Either force x perpendicular distance between the two forces (or couple arm)
The direction of the moment of a couple is determined by the right-hand rule: if you curl the fingers of
your right hand from the direction of the first force vector to the second force vector, then the thumb points in
the direction of the moment vector.
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Couples are commonly encountered in various mechanical systems, such as in machinery, vehicles, and
structures, where they play a crucial role in producing and controlling rotational motion. For example, the
steering mechanism in a car applies a couple to the front wheels to turn the vehicle.
Equilibrium of Bodies: When a number of forces acting on a body produce no change in its state of
rest or of linear or rotational motion, the body is said to be in equilibrium.
Kinds of equilibrium
The equilibrium is of two kinds (1) static equilibrium (2) dynamic equilibrium.
(1) Static equilibrium: When a body remains in the state of rest under the influence of several
forces, the body is in static equilibrium.
Examples: << From Text Book >>
(2) Dynamic equilibrium: When a body remains in the same state of motion (translational or
rotational), under the influence of the several forces, the body is said to be in dynamic
equilibrium.
Examples: << From Text Book >>
Principle of Momentum: According to the principle of moments, if the algebraic sum of moments of
all the forces, acting on the body, about the axis of rotation is zero, the body is in equilibrium.
Examples: A physical balance (or beam balance) works on the principle of moments.
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A body can be considered to be made up of a large number of particles of
weight w₁, W₂, W3,,...
Gravitational force is always attractive, so the earth attracts every particle
towards its centre by the force of gravity on the particle (= weight w).
As the size of the body is quite small in comparison to the size of the earth,
the force of gravity w acting on these particles can be assumed to be
parallel to each other.
Parallel forces acting in the same direction (i.e., vertically downwards
towards the centre of earth).
All these can be replaced by a single resultant force of magnitude equal to
the sum of all these forces i.e., equal to the entire weight W (w₁ + W₂ +
w3+....) of the body.
CENTRE OF GRAVITY: The centre of gravity (C.G) of a body is the point about which the algebraic sum of
moments of weights of all the particles constituting the body is zero. The entire weight of the body can be
considered to act at this point, howsoever the body is placed.
A body of weight W can be considered as a point particle of weight W at its centre of gravity.
The position of the centre of gravity of a body of given mass depends on its shape i.e., on the
distribution of mass of particles in it. It changes if the body is deformed.
It is not necessary that the centre of gravity always be within the material of the body.
o Example: The centre of gravity of a ring or a hollow sphere lies at its centre where there is no
material.
Center of gravity is crucial for analyzing the stability and balance of objects and systems.
In general, the lower the center of gravity of an object, the more stable it is.
A solid body can be balanced by supporting it at its centre of gravity.
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Determination of centre of gravity of an irregular lamina by the method of balance using a plumb line:
Let A be an irregular lamina in Fig. 1.39, for which the position of centre of gravity is to
be determined. Make three fine holes at a, b and c, near the edge of the lamina. Now
suspend the given lamina along with a plumb line from the hole a, using a pin (or a
nail) clamped horizontally on a retort stand. Check that the lamina is free to oscillate
on the nail about the point of suspension. When lamina has come to rest, draw a
straight line ad along the plumb line. Repeat the procedure by suspending the lamina
through the hole b and then through the hole c for which we get straight lines be and
cf respectively. It is noticed that the lines ad, be and of intersect each other at a
common point G which is the position of centre of gravity of the lamina.