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TOPIC I FORCES , EQUILIBRIUM AND FRICTION

PAPER 4(M1)
9709/4
In this topic learners should be able to :
 Identify the forces acting in a given situation e.g. by drawing a force diagram√
 Understand the vector nature of force, and find and use components and resultants√

 Use fact that 𝑹 = √𝑿𝟐 + 𝒀𝟐 = 𝟎 ⟹ 𝑿 = 𝟎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒀 = 𝟎 , √

(apply ∆ 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑳𝒂𝒎𝒊′ 𝒔𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒎 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍)√
 Understand that a contact force can be represented by two components, the normal
component and frictional component.√
 Use concept of smooth surface of contact and limitations to it√
 Understand concept of limiting equilibrium and use 𝑭 = 𝝁𝑵 𝒐𝒓 𝑭 ≤ 𝝁𝑵,
as appropriate.√
 Use Newton’s third law e.g. in finding the force exerted by the string on the pulley.×

TUTORIAL 3
By the end of this tutorial, all the ticked objectives will have been covered.

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Introduction

In previous Tutorials we solved questions in which all the forces where given without looking at
the type of each given force. (In other words all the forces where labelled in magnitude and
direction). We have come to a stage where we need to produce our own force diagram from a
practical situation.
In this Tutorial we shall identify types of forces which may act on a particle in various situations.
We apply concept of equilibrium by resolving the forces into two perpendicular directions (not
necessarily horizontal and vertical components as shall be seen on inclined planes)

4 Types of forces (Identifying forces in given situations)

(a) The Weight (W or 𝑚𝑔)

The weight acts on a body all the time, vertically downwards.

W = mg W = mg
Body on horizontal surface Body on inclined plane
𝑁𝐵 A light body means negligible weight.
(b) The Contact force.
Exists when particle is in contact with a surface. This force is represented by two
components – one perpendicular to surface ( the Normal component) and the other
parallel and along surface of contact (the Frictional component).
The Frictional component (F) opposes the tendency to move i.e. it acts opposite to potential
direction of motion.
N
F

W
A body on an inclined plane can now have all forces acting as shown where N and F are
the normal and frictional components of the contact force and W is the weight.

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A smooth surface has no frictional component (although practically there is no smooth

surface).
Unless specified in a question that surface is smooth, always represent contact force by N
and F.
(c) The Tension force (T)
This force exists due to attachment of particle by means of string or towing bar.
The Tension acts along the string and always away from the particle (since we cant push
using a string).
Two strings have different tensions but for the same string tension is the same throughout
the string. A light inextensible string has negligible weight and same tension.

T 𝑻𝟏 𝑻𝟐 𝑻𝟏 𝑻𝟏 𝑻𝟐
𝑇2

1 particle 1 string 1 particle 2 strings 3 particles 2 strings passing over

smooth pegs

Example 1

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𝑇𝑃𝐴

50
10

𝑇𝑃𝐵
20g

𝑇𝑃𝐴 cos 50° = 𝑇𝑃𝐵 cos 10°

𝑇𝑃𝐴 sin 50° = 20𝑔 + 𝑇𝑃𝐵 sin 10°

Solve simultaneously to obtain 𝑇𝑃𝐴 = 306𝑁 and 𝑇𝑃𝐵 = 200𝑁.

Alternatively:

𝑇𝑃𝐴 𝑇𝑃𝐵 20𝑔

By Lami’s theorem = = , where 𝑔 = 10
sin 80° sin 140° sin 140°

Example 2

Solution
N N
P P

Y X

18 sin 30° 18 cos 30° 18 sin 30° 18 cos 30°

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For all inclined planes, simplify working by putting all forces acting in components which are
parallel and perpendicular to the plane (see diagram). For the weight, 𝑾 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 and 𝑾 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 shall
always have directions shown.
(i) Resolving forces parallel to the plane in fig 1:
𝑃 = 18 sin 30° ⟹ 𝑷 = 𝟗𝑵.
(ii) Resolving forces parallel to the plane in fig 2:
𝑋 = 18 sin 30° i.e. 𝑃 cos 30° = 18 sin 30°
∴ 𝑷 = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟒 𝑜𝑟 6√3

Example 3

Solution

50
20 R X

T 0.8𝑔

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Be able to identify all the forces acting on R. Notice that we have same T since it is one string.
𝑋 = 𝑇 cos 50° + 𝑇 cos 20° ⟹ 𝑿 = 𝟐𝟗. 𝟗𝑵.
T sin 50° = 0.8𝑔 + 𝑇 sin 20° ⟹ 𝑻 = 𝟏𝟖. 𝟗𝑵.

Example 4

Solution
Forces acting on ring:
N

𝛼 F
13 5

13 1.1𝑔 12
12
(i) 𝐹 = 13 cos 𝛼 = 13 (13) ⟹ 𝑭 = 𝟏𝟐𝑵.
5
(ii) 𝑁 = 13 sin 𝛼 + 1.1𝑔 = 13 (13) + 11 ⟹ 𝑵 = 𝟏𝟔𝑵.

5 Relationship between Normal component (N) and Frictional component (F)

Generally 𝑭 ≤ 𝝁𝑵 , where 𝝁 is a property of body and surface of contact.
𝝁 is called the coefficient of friction and is a number between 0 and 1.
However if equilibrium is limiting, i.e. when particle is about to move, then 𝑭 = 𝝁𝑵.

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Example 5

Solution
Show all forces acting at the two points R and J:
𝑇2

𝑇1 𝛼
N 𝛽 𝛽 5.6𝑁
R 𝑇1
F
0.2𝑔
At R At J

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From geometry of figure,

𝛽 30

50
𝛼 40

(i) Resolving forces at J:

3 4
𝑇1 cos 𝛽 + 𝑇2 cos 𝛼 = 5.6 ⟹ 5 𝑇1 + 5 𝑇2 = 5.6 ………….(1)
3 4
𝑇2 sin 𝛼 − 𝑇1 sin 𝛽 = 0 ⟹ 5 𝑇2 − 5 𝑇1 = 0 ……………….(2)

Solving simultaneously (1) and (2)

𝑻𝟏 = 𝟑. 𝟑𝟔 𝑵 and 𝑻𝟐 = 𝟒. 𝟒𝟖𝑵
(ii) Resolving forces at R:
3
𝑇1 cos 𝛽 = 𝑁 ⟹ 𝑇 = 𝑁……………….(3)
5 1
4
𝑇1 sin 𝛽 = 𝐹 + 0.2𝑔 ⟹ 𝐹 = 5 𝑇1 − 2………(4)

Also 𝐹 = 𝜇𝑁 at limiting equilibrium

4 3
Hence 5 (3.36) − 2 = 𝜇 (5 × 3.36)
0.688
∴ 𝜇 = 2.016 = 0.341 shown

Example 6

Solution
Show all forces acting on the 0.6 𝑘𝑔 mass on both possibilities, when friction is down the plane
and when friction is up the plane. Remember to show only components of forces parallel and
perpendicular to the plane. (see diagrams)

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𝑁1 P 𝑁2 P
F
0.6𝑔 sin 25° F 0.6𝑔 sin 25 °
0.6𝑔 cos 25° 0.6 gcos 25°
Fig 1 fig 2

Resolving forces in fig 1:

𝑃 = 0.6𝑔 sin 25° + 𝐹
𝑁1 = 0.6𝑔 cos 25°
𝐹 ≤ 𝜇𝑁 ⟹ 𝑃 ≤ 0.6𝑔 sin 25° + 𝜇(0.6𝑔 cos 25°) since replacing F by a larger value makes P
smaller than right side.
Hence 𝑷 ≤ 𝟒. 𝟒𝟗
Resolving forces in fig 2:
𝑃 = 0.6𝑔 sin 25° − 𝐹
𝑁2 = 0.6𝑔 cos 25°
𝐹 ≤ 𝜇𝑁2 ⟹ 𝐹 ≤ 0.6𝜇𝑔 cos 25°
𝑃 ≥ 0.6𝑔 sin 25° − 0.6𝜇𝑔 cos 25° since replacing F by a greater quantity makes the P greater.
Hence 𝑷 ≥ 𝟎. 𝟓𝟕𝟖
Hence combining the two we have 𝟎. 𝟓𝟕𝟖 ≤ 𝑷 ≤ 𝟒. 𝟒𝟗
EXERCISE 3
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END OF TUTORIAL 3

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