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CHAPTER 2 – PART 3: POSITION & FORCE VECTORS

Today’s Objectives:
Students will be able to :
a) Represent a position vector in Cartesian
coordinate form, from given geometry.
b) Represent a force vector directed along
a line.
Class contents:
• Daily quiz
• Applications
• Position vectors
• Force vectors
• Examples
• Group problem solving
APPLICATIONS

How can we
represent the force
along the wing
strut in a 3-D
Cartesian vector
form?

Wing strut
POSITION VECTOR
A position vector is defined as
a fixed vector that locates a
point in space relative to
another point.
Consider two points, A & B, in
3-D space. Let their coordinates
be (XA, YA, ZA) and ( XB,
YB, ZB ), respectively.
The position vector directed from A to B, r AB , is defined as
r AB = {( XB – XA ) i + ( YB – YA ) j + ( ZB – ZA ) k }m
Please note that B is the ending point and A is the starting point.
So ALWAYS subtract the “tail” coordinates from the “tip”
coordinates!
FORCE VECTOR DIRECTED
ALONG A LINE (Section 2.8)

If a force is directed along a line,


then we can represent the force
vector in Cartesian Coordinates by
using a unit vector and the force
magnitude. So we need to:

a) Find the position vector, r AB , along two points on


that line.
b) Find the unit vector describing the line’s direction,
uAB = (rAB/rAB).
c) Multiply the unit vector by the magnitude of the
force, F = F uAB .
Example 2.12

An elastic rubber band is


attached to points A and B.
Determine its length and its
direction measured from A
towards B.
Example 2.12

Solution
Position vector
r = [-2m – 1m]i + [2m – 0]j + [3m – (-3m)]k
= {-3i + 2j + 6k}m
Magnitude = length of the rubber band

r   3 2   2 2   6 2  7m
Unit vector in the director of r
u = r /r
= -3/7i + 2/7j + 6/7k
Example 2.12

Solution
α = cos-1(-3/7) = 115°
β = cos-1(2/7) = 73.4°
γ = cos-1(6/7) = 31.0°
Example 2.13

The man pulls on the cord


with a force of 350N.
Represent this force acting
on the support A, as a
Cartesian vector and
determine its direction.
Example 2.13

Solution
End points of the cord are A (0m, 0m, 7.5m)
and B (3m, -2m, 1.5m)
r = (3m – 0m)i + (-2m – 0m)j + (1.5m – 7.5m)k
= {3i – 2j – 6k}m
Magnitude = length of cord AB

r  3m  2
   2m     6m   7 m
2 2

Unit vector, u = r /r
= 3/7i - 2/7j - 6/7k
Solution
Force F has a magnitude of 350N, direction
specified by u
F = Fu
= 350N(3/7i - 2/7j - 6/7k)
= {150i - 100j - 300k} N

α = cos-1(3/7) = 64.6°
β = cos-1(-2/7) = 107°
γ = cos-1(-6/7) = 149°
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING

The roof is supported by


cables. If the cables exert
FAB = 100N and FAC = 120N
on the wall hook at A,
determine the magnitude of
the resultant force acting at
A.
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)

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