02 Equilibrium of a rigid body under coplanar forces
A rigid body is in equilibrium when it has no tendency to translate or to rotate. For coplanar forces this requires three independent conditions:
- ΣFx = 0 — no resultant force horizontally.
- ΣFy = 0 — no resultant force vertically.
- ΣM = 0 about any point — no resultant turning effect.
Choose the point for taking moments where the largest number of unknown forces act, because those forces then drop out of the equation.
Worked example — a uniform beam on two supports
A uniform rod of weight 60 N and length 4 m rests on supports at its ends; a 100 N load hangs 1 m from the left end.
- Moments about the left end: R₂ × 4 = 60 × 2 + 100 × 1 = 220 ⟹ R₂ = 55 N.
- ΣFy = 0: R₁ = 160 − 55 = 105 N.
- Check with moments about the right end: R₁ × 4 = 60 × 2 + 100 × 3 = 420 ⟹ R₁ = 105 N ✓.
Three-force bodies
If a body is in equilibrium under three non-parallel forces, their lines of action are concurrent (meet at one point) and coplanar — this fact is used to find the direction of an unknown reaction.