Application of vector

product and dot

product
(1) Finding areas (magnitude)
(2) Angle between 2 forces/ work done by force
(3) Finding moment of 2d and 3D force

1
 Vector Multiplication
V1
Dot multiplication

V 1 V 2 V1V2 cos
V2
V 1 V 2
cos
V1V2
- the result is a scalar

Cross multiplication
V 1 V 2 (V1V2 sin )n

- the result is a vector

- the direction of the vector is determined by the right-hand rule
- n is the unit vector in the direction
Fundamentals of Mechanics, Lecture One 2
2 Moments in 2D

2.1 Definition of Moment

Moment is the action of a force which has the
tendency to rotate a body/object. Moment is also
called torque.

3
2.2 Moment About a Point
Moment is a vector. The direction of the moment is
determined by the right-hand rule.

The magnitude of a moment can be

calculated by the value of the force
times the perpendicular distance of
the force action line to the given
point.

4
What is the unit of a moment?

For convenience and consistence, we define that a positive moment

in 2D analysis is the one that has the tendency to turn an object
around a given point counter-clockwise.

Following the right-hand rule, the vector direction of a positive

moment in 2D analysis is along the positive z direction.

Fundamentals of Mechanics, Lecture Two 5

Moment can be calculated by the cross product of vectors.

M A r F (rF sin )n
r sin d
M A Fdn

In 2D case, we can use

the vector components of r
and F to obtain M:

M r F (rxi ry j ) ( Fxi Fy j )
rx Fxi i rx Fy i j ry Fx j i ry Fy j j
(rx Fy ry Fx )k

6
Example
Use force components to
derive moment about A

Use derivative of MA against

to determine maximum MA

Fundamentals of Mechanics, Lecture Two 7

Example 1: What is the moment due to the tension force
about point O

1. Define X, Y , Z axes
2.
Express T as a vector from the unit vector

3. Determine the position vector

4. Determine the moment due to T about point O using

500N vectors

5. Check your answers and comment on your answers

8
Example 1 = = 2 + 1 5 m

= ||
= ||
||

(2 0) + (3 2) + 0 5
= 500
(2 0)2 +(3 2)2 +(0 5)2
T = 183 + 91.5 457 N

= = 2 + 3

= = 2 3 0 = (1371 + 914 366)
E
183 91.5 457
F N.m

= = 0 2 5 = (1371 + 914 366)
183 91.5 457

N.m
9
Work and Energy
r

Work done by the

force
U =F*r

F
r

Work done by the
force
U = Fcos *r

Fundamentals of Mechanics, Lecture Eleven 10


Differential vector dr is the particle displacement.

Work of the force is

dU F dr
F ds cos
Fx dx Fy dy Fz dz

Work is a scalar quantity, i.e., it has magnitude and

sign but not direction.

Dimensions of work are length force. Units are

1 J joule 1 N 1 m 1ft lb 1.356 J

Dimensions of work and bending moment are same.

However both concepts are completely different
from each other 11
Fundamentals of Mechanics, Lecture Eleven