PROBLEM 10.

81
Spring AB of constant 10 lb/in. is attached to two identical drums as
shown. Knowing that the spring is unstretched when = 0, determine
(a) the range of values of the weight W of the block for which a position
of equilibrium exists, (b) the range of values of for which the
equilibrium is stable.

SOLUTION
V =

Have
where

1 2
kxSP Wy
block
2

xSP = 2rA sin ,

and

yblock = r ,

Then

V =

rA = 6 in.
r = 8 in.

1
2
k ( 2rA sin ) Wr
2

= 2krA2 sin 2 Wr

dV
= 2krA2 ( 2sin cos ) Wr
d

and

= 2krA2 sin 2 Wr

d 2V
= 4krA2 cos 2
d 2
For equilibrium
Substituting,

(1)

dV
= 0: 2krA2 sin 2 Wr = 0
d
2 (10 lb/in.)( 6 in.) sin 2 W ( 8 in.) = 0
2

W = 90sin 2 (lb)

or
(a)

From Equation (2), with W 0:

0 W 90 lb

(b)

From Stable equilibrium

d 2V
>0
d 2

Then from Equation (1),

cos 2 > 0
or 0 45

PROBLEM 10.82
Spring AB of constant 10 lb/in. is attached to two identical drums as
shown. Knowing that the spring is unstretched when = 0 and that
W = 40 lb, determine the values of less than 180 corresponding to
equilibrium. State in each case whether the equilibrium is stable,
unstable, or neutral.

SOLUTION
See sketch, Problem 10.81.
Using Equation (2) of Problem 10.81, with W = 40 lb
40 = 90sin 2
Solving

= 13.1939

(for equilibrium)
and

= 76.806

Using Equation (1) of Problem 10.81, we have

At = 13.1939:

At = 76.806:

d 2V
= 4krA2 cos ( 2 13.1939 ) > 0
d 2
d 2V
= 4krA2 cos ( 2 76.806 ) < 0
d 2

= 13.19, Stable

= 76.8, Unstable

PROBLEM 10.83
A slender rod AB of negligible weight is attached to two collars A and B that
can move freely along the guide rods shown. Knowing that = 30o and
P = Q = 100 lb, determine the value of the angle corresponding to
equilibrium.

SOLUTION

Law of Sines

yA
L
=
sin ( 90 + ) sin ( 90 )
yA
L
=
cos ( ) cos
yA = L

or

From the figure:

Potential Energy:

yB = L

cos ( )
cos

cos ( )
L cos
cos

cos ( )

cos ( )
L cos QL
V = PyB Qy A = P L
cos
cos

sin ( )

sin ( )
dV
= PL
+ sin + QL
d
cos
cos

= L ( P + Q)

Equilibrium
or

sin ( )
PL sin
cos

sin ( )
dV
= 0: L ( P + Q )
PL sin = 0
d
cos

( P + Q ) sin (
( P + Q )( sin cos

) = P sin cos

cos sin ) = P sin cos

PROBLEM 10.83 CONTINUED

or

( P + Q ) cos sin + Q sin cos = 0

P + Q sin
sin
+
=0
Q cos cos
tan =

With

P+Q
tan
Q

P = Q = 100 lb,
tan =

(2)

= 30

200 lb
tan 30 = 1.1547
100 lb

= 49.1

PROBLEM 10.84
A slender rod AB of negligible weight is attached to two collars A and B
that can move freely along the guide rods shown. Knowing that
= 30o , P = 40 lb, and Q = 10 lb, determine the value of the angle
corresponding to equilibrium.

SOLUTION
Using Equation (2) of Problem 10.83, with P = 40 lb, Q = 10 lb, and = 30, we have
tan =

( 40 lb )(10 lb ) tan 30 = 2.88675

(10 lb )
= 70.89

= 70.9

PROBLEM 10.85
Collar A can slide freely on the semicircular rod shown. Knowing that the
constant of the spring is k and that the unstretched length of the spring is
equal to the radius r, determine the value of corresponding to
equilibrium when m = 20 kg, r = 180 mm, and k = 3 N/mm.

SOLUTION

Stretch of Spring

s = AB r
s = 2 ( r cos ) r
s = r ( 2cos 1)
Potential Energy:

V =
V =

1 2
ks Wr sin 2
2

W = mg

1 2
2
kr ( 2 cos 1) Wr sin 2
2

dV
= kr 2 ( 2cos 1) 2sin 2Wr cos 2
d
Equilibrium

dV
= 0: kr 2 ( 2cos 1) sin Wr cos 2 = 0
d

( 2cos

1) sin
W
=
cos 2
kr

Now

Then
Solving numerically,

( 20 kg ) 9.81 m/s2
W
=
= 0.36333
kr
( 3000 N/m )( 0.180 m )
( 2cos

1) sin
= 0.36333
cos 2

= 0.9580 rad = 54.9

= 54.9

PROBLEM 10.86
Collar A can slide freely on the semicircular rod shown. Knowing that the
constant of the spring is k and that the unstretched length of the spring is
equal to the radius r, determine the value of corresponding to equilibrium
when m = 20 kg, r = 180 mm, and k = 3 N/mm.

SOLUTION

Stretch of spring
s = AB r = 2 ( r cos ) r
s = r ( 2 cos 1)

V =
=

1 2
ks Wr cos 2
2
1 2
2
kr ( 2cos 1) Wr cos 2
2

dV
= kr 2 ( 2cos 1) 2sin + 2Wr sin 2
d
Equilibrium
dV
= 0: kr 2 ( 2cos 1) sin + Wr sin 2 = 0
d

kr 2 ( 2cos 1) sin + Wr ( 2sin cos ) = 0

or

Now

Then
Solving

( 2cos

1) sin
W
=
2cos
kr

( 20 kg ) 9.81 m/s2
W
=
= 0.36333
kr
( 3000 N/m )( 0.180 m )
2 cos 1
= 0.36333
2cos

= 38.2482

= 38.2 W

PROBLEM 10.87
The 12-kg block D can slide freely on the inclined surface. Knowing that
the constant of the spring is 480 N/m and that the spring is unstretched
when = 0, determine the value of corresponding to equilibrium.

SOLUTION
First note, by Law of Cosines
d = ( 0.4 )
2

+ 0.4sin 2 ( 0.4 ) 0.4sin cos

2
2
2

d = 0.4 1 + sin 2

or

sin m

Now
V =

1 2
kxSP mD gyD
2

1
2
k ( rA ) mD g ( yD )0 + ( 0.4 d ) sin 60
2

1 2 2

krA mD g ( yD )0 + 0.4 0.4 1 + sin 2 sin

2
2

For equilibrium

sin 60

dV
= 0:
d

2 sin cos cos

2
2
2
=0
krA2 + 0.4mD g sin 60

2 1 + sin 2 sin
2
or

krA2 + 0.1mD g sin 60

sin 2 cos
1 + sin

sin

=0

PROBLEM 10.87 CONTINUED

Substituting,
1 + sin 2

+ ( 0.1 m )(12 kg ) 9.81 m/s 2

or

( 480 N/m )( 0.050 m )2

1 + sin 2

Solving numerically,

sin
3
( sin 2cos ) = 0
2

sin + 8.4957 ( sin 2 cos ) = 0

= 1.07223 rad
or = 61.4 W

PROBLEM 10.88
Cable AB is attached to two springs and passes through a ring at C.
Knowing that the springs are unstretched when y = 0, determine the
distance y corresponding to equilibrium.

SOLUTION

First note that the tension in the cable is the same throughout.

F1 = F2
k1x1 = k2 x2

or

x2 =

or

k1
x1
k2
960 N/m
x1
480 N/m

= 2x1
Now, point C is midway between the pulleys.
1
2
2

y 2 = 0.2 + ( x1 + x2 ) ( 0.2 )
2

= 0.2 ( x1 + x2 ) +

1
( x1 + x2 )2
4

= 0.2 ( x1 + 2 x1 ) +

1
( x1 + 2 x1 )2
4

= 0.6 x1 +

( )

9 2
x1 m 2
4

PROBLEM 10.88 CONTINUED

Now
V =

1 2 1
k1x1 + k2 x22 mgy
2
2

1 2 1
2
1

k1x1 + k2 ( 2 x1 ) mg
2.4 x1 + 9 x12
2
2
4

1
1
( k1 + 4k2 ) x12 mg 2.4 x1 + 9 x12
2
4

For equilibrium
dV
= 0:
dx1

or
or
Solving,
Then

=0
2 2.4 x + 9 x 2
1
1

( k1 + 4k2 ) x1 mg

( 980 + 4 490 ) N/m ( x1 )( m )

2.4 x1 + 9 x12

2.4 + 18x1

) ( m ) 12 (10 kg ) (9.81 m/s ) (1.2 + 9x )( m ) = 0

2

288x1 2.4 x1 + 9 x12 5.886 (1 + 7.5x1 ) = 0

x1 = 0.068151 m
y 2 = 0.6 ( 0.068151) +

9
( 0.068151)2
4

or y = 227 mm W

PROBLEM 10.89
Rod AB is attached to a hinge at A and to two springs, each of constant k.
If h = 50 in., d = 24 in., and W = 160 lb, determine the range of
values of k for which the equilibrium of the rod is stable in the position
shown. Each spring can act in either tension or compression.

SOLUTION
xC = d sin

Have

yB = h cos

V = 2 kxC2 + WyB
2

Potential Energy:

= kd 2 sin 2 + Wh cos
dV
= 2kd 2 sin cos Wh sin
d

Then

= kd 2 sin 2 Wh sin
d 2V
= 2kd 2 cos 2 Wh cos
d 2

and

(1)

For equilibrium position = 0 to be stable, we must have

d 2V
= 2kd 2 Wh > 0
d 2
or

kd 2 >

1
Wh
2

(2)

d 2V
1
= 0, so that we must determine which is the first derivative that is not
Wh, we have
2
d 2
equal to zero. Differentiating Equation (1), we write

Note: For kd 2 =

d 3V
= 4kd 2 sin 2 + Wh sin = 0
3
d

for = 0

d 4V
= 8kd 2 cos 2 + Wh cos
2
d

PROBLEM 10.89 CONTINUED

For = 0:

d 4V
= 8kd 2 + Wh
d 4

1
d 4V
1
= 4Wh + Wh < 0, we conclude that the equilibrium is unstable for kd 2 = Wh
Wh,
4
2
2
d
and the > sign in Equation (2) is correct.
Since kd 2 =

With
Equation (2) gives
or

W = 160 lb, h = 50 in., and d = 24 in.

k ( 24 in.) >
2

1
(160 lb )( 50 in.)
2

k > 6.944 lb/in.

k > 6.94 lb/in. W

PROBLEM 10.90
Rod AB is attached to a hinge at A and to two springs, each of constant k.
If h = 30 in., k = 4 lb/in., and W = 40 lb, determine the smallest
distance d for which the equilibrium of the rod is stable in the position
shown. Each spring can act in either tension or compression.

SOLUTION
Using Equation (2) of Problem 10.89 with
h = 30 in., k = 4 lb/in., and W = 40 lb

( 4 lb/in.) d 2
or

>

1
( 40 lb )( 30 in.)
2

d 2 > 150 in 2
d > 12.247 in.
smallest d = 12.25 in. W