ENGINEERING STATICS (ENG2008) BEng 1,2 – 2016/17:SEM1

Tutorial: Topic #2 – Cartesian System of Vectors

QUESTION 1.

Figure 1

As shown in Figure 1, an anchor is subjected to three forces. Based on the coordinate system in the
illustration, perform the following calculations.

(a) *Express the 600 N and the 325 N forces in Cartesian vector form. [4 marks]

(b) *Determine the resultant force of the 600 N and the 325 N forces and express in Cartesian vector
form. [2 mark]

(c) Express the force determined in Part (b) in terms of magnitude and direction measured clockwise
from the negative y-axis. [2 marks]

(d) *If the resultant of all three forces is to be 800 N directed to the right, determine the magnitude of F
and its direction θ. [4 marks]

(e) If the resultant of all three forces is to be directed vertically to the right, and the magnitude of F is
800 N, determine the direction θ. [4 marks]

(f) If the resultant of all three forces is to be directed vertically to the right, and the direction of F is
θ = 20°, determine the magnitude of F. [4 marks]

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QUESTION 2.

Figure 2

(a) *Label the y and z axes. [1 mark]

(b) *Determine the position of point A from the origin O, rOA or rA, and express as a Cartesian vector.
[3 marks]

(c) *Determine the position of point B from the origin O, and express as a Cartesian vector. [3 marks]

(d) Determine the position of point C from the origin O, and express as a Cartesian vector. [2 marks]

(e) *Determine the position of point A from point B, rBA, and express as a Cartesian vector. [2 marks]

(f) Determine the position of point B from point A, and express as a Cartesian vector. [2 marks]

(g) Determine rAC, and express as a Cartesian vector. [2 marks]

(h) Determine the distance between points B and A. [2 marks]

(i) Determine the magnitude of rCB. [3 marks]

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