PH1011 Tut 3: Forces, Torque and Equilibrium

1. [G12.4] A tower crane must always be carefully balanced so

that there is no net torque tending to tip it. A particular crane
at a building site is about to lift a 2800-kg air-conditioning
unit. The crane’s dimensions are shown in Figure G12.4. (a)
Where must the crane’s 9500-kg counterweight be placed
when the load is lifted from the ground? (Note that the
counterweight is usually moved automatically via sensors and
motors to precisely compensate for the load.) (b) Determine
the maximum load that can be lifted with this counterweight
when it is placed at its full extent. Ignore the mass of the
beam.
G12.4

2. [G12.73] A 23-kg sphere rests between two smooth planes as shown in Figure G12.73.
Determine the magnitude of the forces acting on the sphere exerted by each plane.

G12.73 G12.71

3. [G12.71] A 65.0-kg painter is on a uniform 25-kg scaffold supported from above by ropes
(Figure 12.71). There is a 4.0-kg pail of paint to one side, as shown. Can the painter walk safely
to both ends of the scaffold? If not, which end(s) is dangerous, and how close to the end can he
approach safely?

4. [G12.20] A shop sign weighing 215 N is supported by a uniform 155-N beam as shown in
Figure G12.20. Find the tension in the wire, as well as the horizontal and vertical forces exerted
by the hinge on the beam.

G12.20 G12.50

1
 5. [G12.50] Figure G12.50 shows a simple truss that carries a load at the center C of 1.35×10' N.
(a) Calculate the force on each strut at the pins, A, B, C, D, and (b) determine which struts
(ignore their masses) are under tension and which are under compression.

6. [‘S’ paper December 1993, Q4] An ideal spring of unstretched length 𝐿 and force constant 𝑘 is
fastened between two fixed points X and Y a distance 𝐿 apart just above a horizontal,
frictionless table. A mass 𝑀 is then clamped to the mid-point of the spring so that it rests on the
table. The mass is drawn aside through a small distance 𝑥, perpendicular to the original line of
the spring, and is then released, as shown in the top view in the figure below.

Find the initial acceleration of the mass, (optional) and hence determine whether the resulting
oscillations are simple harmonic. (Hint: for 𝑧 ≪ 1, 1 + 𝑧 1 ≈ 1 + 𝑛𝑧)

7. [G5.87] A small mass m is set on the surface of a sphere as shown in Figure G5.87. If the
coefficient of static friction is 𝜇5 = 0.70 at what angle 𝜙 would the mass start sliding?

G5.87 S5.48

8. [S5.48] A block of mass 3.00 kg is pushed up against a wall by a force 𝐏 that makes an angle of
θ = 50.0° with the horizontal as shown in Figure S5.48. The coefficient of static friction
between the block and the wall is 0.250. (a) Determine the possible values for the magnitude
of 𝐏 that allow the block to remain stationary. (b) Describe what happens if 𝐏 has a larger
value and what happens if it is smaller. (c) Repeat parts (a) and (b), assuming the force makes
an angle of θ = 13.0° with the horizontal.

2
 9. [Activity] You are given a plastic ramp with a smooth pulley and two different masses 𝑚; and
𝑚< (> 𝑚; ) connected by a massless string. The setup is as shown in (A). When the ramp is
held at an angle 𝛼, the block with mass 𝑚< just starts to slide up the ramp. By increasing
steepness of the ramp to a certain angle 𝛽, as shown in (B), the block with mass 𝑚< just starts
to slide down the ramp. By measuring 𝛼 and any other appropriate measurements, predict
the angle 𝛽.

N
(Hint: 𝑎 sin 𝜃 ± 𝑏 cos 𝜃 = 𝑎 < + 𝑏 < sin 𝜃 ± 𝜙 where 𝜙 = tanM; )
O

Increase the angle of the ramp until the block with

mass 𝑚< starts to slide down and measure this angle
𝛽PQR . Compare with your prediction 𝛽.

(A) (B)

Blue 𝑚<
Tag
𝑚<
𝛼∘

Table
𝑚;
Blue
Tag 𝑚;
𝛽∘

Table

Answers to selected questions

1. (a) 2.27 m, (b) 4195 kg

2. 𝐹T ≈ 120𝑁; 𝐹X ≈ 210 𝑁 (discussed in PH1011 lecture, try it on your own here)
3. within 5 cm of the right edge; within 17 cm of the left edge - both ends are dangerous.
4. Tension = 642.2 N, Horizontal force = 526 N and Vertical force = 1.65 N upwards
5. 𝐹YZ ≈ 7790N, compression; Fbc ≈ 3900N, tension; Fde ≈ 7790N, compression;
𝐹fg ≈ 3900N, tension; Fec ≈ 1.35×10' N, tension.
6. Not simple harmonic motion
7. 𝜙 = 35∘
8. 𝑎) 𝑃jOQ = 48.6 𝑁; 𝑃jn1 = 31.7 𝑁
𝑏) 𝑃 > 48.6 𝑁, 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘 𝑠𝑙𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑢𝑝 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙; 𝑃 < 31.7 𝑁, 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘 𝑠𝑙𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛.
𝑐)𝑃jn1 = 62.7 𝑁. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑠𝑙𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑢𝑝 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙. 𝐼𝑓 𝑃 < 62.7 𝑁, 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘 𝑠𝑙𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙.