... of a planar particle

By applying equilibrium to the free-body diagram of a particle you can find unknown forces. At maximum two unknown forces can be solved in a planar problem and three forces in a threedimensional problem. The steps involved are:

1. Draw the free body diagram of the particle
2. Split the forces in convenient directions by applying resolution of forces
3. Solve the forces using $\sum F = 0$ in two nonparallel convenient directions. This step is treated in chapter 2.3.2 of the book Engineering Mechanics Volume 1 Hartsuijker & Welleman, 2006.

Exercises¶

• If you’re a TU Delft student, you can practise with the following exercises. Ignore questions which ask for a force polygon/‘krachtenveelhoek’.
• Exercises 2.33, 2.37, 2.38a, 2.39b, 2.40b, 2.41, 2.42 (without force polygon), in chapter 2.4 of the book Engineering Mechanics Volume 1 Hartsuijker & Welleman, 2006. Answers are available on this website.