HOMEWORK PROBLEMS

Week 1: Due Friday 12 January

1. Find the magnitude of the force F and the angle θ if the resultant of the two forces in Figure
1 is a force of 300 N in the positive y-direction.
y
400 N
F
o
θ 60
x
Figure 1

2. In Figure 2, ADB is a straight line and the length AD = 3 m. Find a Cartesian position
vector defining the point D and hence find the Cartesian description of the unit vector eCD
defining the direction of the line CD.

4
A
D
4 B
5
3 1.5
x

all dimensions in meters

Figure 2
3. Figure 3 shows a rigid rectangular box with interior dimensions OA = 10 inches, OB = 8
inches. A straight thin uniform rod of length 14 inches rests inside the box, making frictionless
contact at the corner A and at C.
Find the distance BC and the angle that the rod makes to the horizontal plane.

O B
x

A
z

Figure 3

4. Determine the magnitude and sense of the couple moment in Figure 4.

y
0.6
A

o
30
5 kN
o 5 kN
4 30

B
3 1
O x

all dimensions in meters

Figure 4
5. Three points A, B, C in space are identified by their coordinates as A(3, 7, −2), B(2, −5, 1),
C(−6, 8, −4). Find the Cartesian unit vector e that is perpendicular to the plane passing through
A, B and C.

6. The hinged plate in Figure 5 is supported by the cord AB. The cord exerts a force of 220 lb
on the plate at the point A. Find the moment of this force about the axis of the hinges.

x
9 8
z
A

all dimensions in feet

Figure 5
7. Find the reaction forces exerted on the structure ABC by the pin at A and by the frictionless
roller support at C. The members AB and AC are both of length 3 feet.

B 1500 lb

A o
30
C

Figure 6