Lesson 1 Introduction to Statics; Newtonian Mechanics

Text Reference: Articles 1.1 and 1.2; Sample Problems 1.1−1.3

A. SELF-TEST (To be done after assigned reading has been completed.)

1. What is the key concept that separates engineers from scientists? _______________

2. The branch of physics that considers the action of forces on bodies or fluids is
called (a) _____________________, and the branch of engineering that applies these
principles to design is known as (b) ______________________________.

3. A rigid coordinate system in which Newton’s laws are valid with an acceptable
degree of accuracy is called an ________________ reference frame.

4. The standards of measurement are called (a) ____________________, and the types
of measurement are called (b) ________________________.

5. Identify each of the following as a unit (U) or a dimension (D): (a) ounce:____;
(b) force: ____; (c) mass: ____; (d) meter: ____; (e) length: ____; (f) hour : ____.

6. The fundamental dimensions in the U.S. Customary system are

(a) _____________________________, with the base units being
(b) ________________________. The derived unit of mass is called a (c)________.

7. The fundamental dimensions in the SI system are

(a) _____________________________, with the base units being
(b) ________________________. The derived unit of force is called a (c)________.

8. The force exerted on a body by gravity is called ________________.

9. Newton’s law that gives the force of attraction between two particles in terms of the
universal gravitation constant G is called the law of _________________________.

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 B. GUIDED PROBLEMS
PROBLEM 1.1
Convert (a) 600 lb/ft2 to kN/m2; and (b) 400 kN/m2 to lb/in.2.

a. Comments and Analysis

• The conversion of units between the U.S. Customary system and the SI system relies
upon conversion factors that can be found in various publications.

b. Guided Solution
Referring to the tables inside the front cover of your textbook, identify the following
conversion factors:
(i) 1 lb = _________ N (ii) 1 N = _________ lb
(iii) 1 ft = _________ m (iv) 1 m = ________ ft = ________ in.

Complete the conversions by entering using the appropriate conversion factors in the
performing the computation. Remember that it is permissible to cancel units during the
conversion as if they were algebraic quantities.
Part (a)
600 lb/ft 2 =
600 lb 4.448 N
× × = _______ kN/m 2 Ans .
ft 2 1 lb

Part (b)

400 kN/m 2 =

400 kN 1000 N
× × = ________ lb/in.2 Ans .
m2 1 kN

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© 2017 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
 PROBLEM 1.2
Determine the dimensions of the constants A and B in the equation
v 2 = Ax 3 + Bvt (a)
The equation is dimensionally homogeneous and the dimensions of the variables are
[v] = [L/T], [x] = [L], and [t] = [T].

a. Comments and Analysis

• Because Eq. (a) is dimensionally homogeneous, the dimensions of each term in the
equation must be the same.
• Remember if a and b are any two variables (or constants), dimensional homogeneity
requires that [ab]= [a][b]. This dimensional equation is read, “the dimension of a
times b equals the dimension of a times the dimension of b.”

b. Guided Solution
(1) The dimension of the variable on the left-hand side of the equation is

[v2] = _________

(2) The dimension of the first term on the right-hand side of Eq. (a) is:

[Ax3] = ______________________
(3) In the space below, equate [v2] and [Ax3] and solve for the dimension of A.

[A] = ___________Ans.
(4) The dimension of the second term on the right-hand side of Eq. (a) is:

[Bvt] = _______________________________________
(5) In the space below, equate [v2] and [Bvt] and solve for the dimension of B.

[B] = ___________Ans.

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© 2017 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.