Only concurrent forces can act on a

particle.

The shape and dimensions of the
particle are neglected and its whole
mass is assumed to be concentrated at
a single point, its mass center.
Equilibrium is an unchanging stable
condition.

All the bodies that are at rest are in
equilibrium.
The bodies which move along a straight path
with constant speed can also be in equilibrium.
Such bodies are said to be in steady
translation.

Most often, equilibrium, or more specifically
static equilibrium is used to describe an
object at rest.
0 F

To maintain equilibrium, it is necessary to satisfy

Newtons first law, which requires the resultant force
acting on a particle to be equal to zero. This condition
may be stated mathematically as


where is the vector sum of all the forces acting on
the particle. This equation is not only a necessary
condition for equilibrium; it is also a sufficient
condition.
F

To apply the equation of equilibrium, we must

account for all the known and unknown forces
which act on the particle.

The best way to do this is to draw the particles
Free Body Diagram (FBD). This diagram is
simply a sketch which shows the particle free
from its surroundings with all the forces that act
on it.
1) Draw Outlined Shape

Imagine the particle to be isolated or cut free from
its surroundings by drawing its outlined shape. A
simplified but accurate drawing is sufficient.
Particles will be drawn as unique points comprised
of the mass center of the particle.
Procedure for Drawing a Free Body Diagram:
2) Set up the Reference System If not indicated, set up
a reference system in accordance with the geometry of
the problem.

3) Indicate Forces On the sketch, indicate all the forces
on the particle. These forces can be active forces, which
tend to set the particle in motion, or they can be reactive
forces which are the result of the constraints or supports
that tend to prevent motion.
4) Label Force Magnitudes The forces that are
known should be labeled with their proper magnitudes
and directions. Letters are used to represent the
magnitudes and directions of forces that are unknown.

5) Employ Equation of Equilibrium Finally,
equation of equilibrium must be employed to
determine the desired quantities. Care must be given to
the consistency of units used.
Coplanar Force Systems
If a particle is subjected to a system of coplanar
forces that lie in the x-y plane, then each force can be
resolved into its and components. In this case the
equation of equilibrium,
i

0 F

0
0
0



y
x
y x
F
F
j F i F F

Note that both the x and y components must

be equal to zero separately. Since there are
only two scalar equations to be used, at most
two unknowns can be determined, which are
generally angles or magnitudes of forces
shown on the particles free body diagram.
Scalar Notation

Since each of the two equilibrium equations
requires the resolution of vector components
along a specified x or y axis, scalar notation
can be used to represent the components when
applying these equations.
Forces can be represented only by their
magnitudes. When doing this, the sense of
direction (direction of arrowhead) of each force is
shown by using + or signs with respect to the
axes. If a force has an unknown magnitude, then
the arrowhead sense of the force on the free body
diagram can be assumed.
Since the magnitude of a force is always positive,
if the solution yields a negative scalar, this
indicates that the sense of the force acts in the
opposite direction to that assumed initially.
Three Dimensional Force Systems

If a particle is under the effect of spatial forces then each
force can be resolved into its x, y and z components. In this
case,
0 F

0
0
0
0




z
y
x
z y x
F
F
F
k F j F i F F

Since there are three scalar equations to be used, at

most three unknowns can be determined.

These may again be angles, dimensions or
magnitudes of forces.

I n the three dimensional case, the forces must be
represented in vector form.

F
1
, F
2
and F
3
are
forces applied to the
particle by cables
and/or bars that might
be attached to the
particle.

R
x
and R
y
are reaction
forces.
Some common supports and reactions in two dimensional particle equilibrium problems
F
1
, F
2
and F
3
are
forces applied to
the particle by
cables and/or bars
that might be
attached to the
particle.

R
x
, R
y
and R
z
are
reaction forces.
Some common supports and reactions in three dimensional particle equilibrium problems
A block on an incline with spring
Forces on block
Free Body Diagram
N
W=mg
F
friction
F
spring
=kx
Cables and Bars
Tension
Tension
Tension
FBD
T
BC
T
AC
W

W

P

P
P

C

a

90-b

Cable Arrangement
A block and tackle
system
FBD
F
DB
F
AB
F
CB
B

P

T
AC
W

C

T
AB
T
CB
T
CB
T
CD
T
CD
T
DE
W

W

W

F
spring
T
AB
T
AC
W

N

1
F

2
F

(Compression)
(Compression)
T
AB
F

T
BC