Physics Chapter 3 Statics Flashcards

Study Notes

Statics and Static Equilibrium

Statics is the field of mechanics that analyzes forces on systems in static equilibrium, focusing on bodies at rest or in constant motion.
Static equilibrium occurs when the forces acting on an object are balanced, resulting in zero acceleration and maintaining rest or constant velocity.

Fundamental Laws of Rigid Body Mechanics

Includes the Universal Law of Gravitation, Parallelogram Law for vector addition, Newton's laws (first, second, and third), and the principle of transmissibility.

Universal Law of Gravitation

Describes the force of attraction between all masses, crucial for understanding gravitational forces in biomechanics.
Weight, expressed in Newtons (N), is derived from this force.

Force and Gravitational Force

A force is any interaction that can change an object's velocity; it can be viewed as a push or pull.
Gravitational force (Fg) is dependent on the masses involved, the distance between them, and the gravitational constant (G).

Weight and Mass

Weight is the gravitational force acting on an object, calculated by the formula W = mg, where g = 9.81 m/s².
Mass quantifies matter in an object and reflects its resistance to acceleration (inertia).

Vector Addition and Resultant Forces

Parallelogram Law states that the resultant of two vectors can be represented by the diagonal of a parallelogram formed by the two vectors.
Polygon Rule applies when adding three or more vectors, emphasizing that vectors can be combined in any order.

Newton's First Law and Inertia

Newton's First Law, also known as the Law of Inertia, states that an object in rest or uniform motion remains in that state unless acted upon by an external force.
Static equilibrium often involves no net accelerations, indicating balanced forces on the object.

Resultant Force

The resultant force is the vector sum of all external forces acting on an object being zero, indicating balanced forces.
Balanced forces do not mean the object is not moving; rather, it is not accelerating.

Static Equilibrium Graphs

A closed force polygon graphically represents static equilibrium, demonstrating that the tip of the last vector connects to the tail of the first vector.

Rigid Bodies and Forces

A rigid body consists of particles with fixed positions, not subject to deformation under forces.
Internal forces are those originating and terminating within the rigid body, like those within bones.

External Forces and their Effects

External forces, such as gravitational and frictional forces, are applied to the rigid body from outside sources, impacting its motion.
The effect of an external force on a rigid body depends on its magnitude, direction, and point of application.

Point of Application

The point of application is where the force appears to act. For particles, it is singular, while for rigid bodies, it can vary, influencing the outcome of the force.

Centric and Eccentric Forces

Centric forces act through the center of mass, causing translation only.
Eccentric forces act outside the center of mass, producing both rotation and translation.

Principle of Transmissibility

The principle states that the effects of a force on a rigid body remain unchanged as long as it is applied along the same line of action, meaning a push is equivalent to a pull.

Description

Explore key terms and definitions from Chapter 3 on Statics in this flashcard quiz. Test your knowledge on concepts like static equilibrium and the principles governing systems in static equilibrium. Ideal for students looking to reinforce their understanding of mechanics.