2.

9
Analysing Forces in
Equilibrium
Chapter 2 Forces and Motion

The
Effective
Component
s of a
Weight on
an Inclined
Plane

Consider a box resting on an inclined

plane at an angle to the horizontal.
The weight of the box is
The weight can be resolved into two
perpendicular components:
The component vertical / perpendicular
to the plane
The component down / parallel to the
plane
State out what are the both
components?

The
effective
components
of a weight
on an
inclined
plane

To solve problems involving inclined planes,

weight is replaced with its two perpendicular
components.

Object in equilibrium on a
rough inclined plane

Acceleration of an object on a
smooth inclined plane

When a box at rest on an inclined plane

When a box at rest on a smooth inclined

plane

Try to solve it in

Try to solve it in

(i) The net force perpendicular to the

plane
=0
(ii) The net force parallel to the plane =0

(i) The net force perpendicular to the

plane
=0
(ii) The net force parallel to the plane =0

Exercise

A carton of mass
5kg is at rest on an
inclined plane
making an angle of

15

with the

horizontal. Find the

frictional Force and
the normal reaction
force acting on the
carton.

Figure shows a
horizontal force, F
acts on a wooden
block of weight 8
N placed on a
smooth plane
inclined at 30 to
the horizontal.

What must the magnitude of F be to

prevent the block from sliding down?

 Problems involving three forces in

equilibrium can be solved rather by:
(a) Method A: Resolution of forces

Three
Forces in
Equilibrium

(b) Method B: Drawing a closed

triangle of forces

 A 6 kg weight is suspended from a

hook in the ceiling as shown in figure.

Three
Forces in
Equilibrium

A horizontal string pulls the supporting

string so that the latter makes an
angle of 50 with the horizontal. Find
the tensions in both strings.

 The slanting force, T1 is resolved as show.

Method A
Resolution
of Forces

Since
the weight is in equilibrium, therefore;

Vertically,

Total force upwards = total force

downwards

Method A
Resolution
of Forces

Total force to the left = total force to the

horizontally,

right

Method B
Drawing a
closed
triangle of
forces

Drawing a closed triangle forces

 After drawing the triangle, use simple

trigonometry to solve the problem.

Method B
Drawing a
closed
triangle of
forces

Exercise
Joan and
her sister
lift a pail of
water of
total mass
5.6 kg.

Each of them exerts a force of F at 25 to the

vertical.
Find the magnitude of F.

Exercise
A lamp of
weight 25 N
is supported
by two
ropes as
shown in
figure.

that the tension in rope A is 20 N, find

Given
(a) The angle
(b)The tension in rope B

Exercise
Each
elephant in
the diagram
below is
pulling a
rope
attached to
a mass of
10 kg

The elephants pull with a force of 5000 N.

Find the angle between the ropes.
Can the rope be pulled to become horizontal?

Exercise
A mirror of
weight 12 N
is hung on
the wall
using a
string as
shown.

Draw a scale drawing of a triangle of

forces to determine the tension, T in
the string.
(use scale 1 cm = 2N)