Moment about a point = 0

1. Oct 7, 2015

werson tan

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
In this question , I'm asked to find the magnitude of P .

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
-10cos30 (4√3) -10sin 30 (10
+15sin30(2) + 15cos30(4√3)
-10cos30(4√3) -10sin30(4)
-15cos30(4√3) -15sin30(7)
+10cos30(4√3) +10sin30(11)
+P cos 60 (4√3) =0
P=22N , but the ans given is 15.6N , which part i did wrongly ?

File size:
27.2 KB
Views:
79
2. Oct 7, 2015

BvU

What happened to $P\,\sin(60^\circ)$ ?
Never mind, Py is zero.

But what is $4\sqrt 3$ ?

I also wonder what the 1, 2, 4, 7, 11 stand for.

This time I would bet on the book answer (15.58846), even though they draw 30, 45 and 60 degree angles all alike...

Last edited: Oct 7, 2015
3. Oct 7, 2015

werson tan

it's parallel with 4surd 3 , so , i didnt take in into calculation .
tan30=4/A
A=4 surd 3

4. Oct 7, 2015

insightful

I suggest redrawing the sketch roughly to scale. Except for P, all the forces are on parallel lines. Extend those lines and draw a common perpendicular from them through O. All triangles are 30-60-90 and all distances can be gotten without trig using the 1:2:sqrt(3) ratios.

5. Oct 10, 2015

werson tan

you gt the ans = 15.5846 ? how do u gt it ? can you help ?

6. Oct 10, 2015

BvU

Sure, that's what we are for.
(1) I understand ($P_y=0$). But (2) ? Where do you need $4/\tan(30^\circ)$ ?

My question on the 1,2,4,7, 11 was to set you thinking about what these stand for. They are not the x coordinates of the points where the forces act, if that's what you think....

Last edited: Oct 11, 2015
7. Oct 12, 2015

BvU

For example, the leftmost 10 N clearly grabs to the left of O, so it should have a negative x-coordinate. Idem leftmost 15 N.

Perhaps this also helps you in the other thread (the one on graph paper)

8. Oct 13, 2015

werson tan

i gt A = 4/tan30 due to it's a triangle . the horizontal length is 4m, the angle between the P and y-axis is 30 degree , then what does 1, 2, 4, 7, 11 stand for ?

9. Oct 13, 2015

werson tan

If i am to take the 1, 2, 4, 7, 11 ans the r , then is my working correct ? ( ignore the ans given ) , is my concept correct ?

10. Oct 13, 2015

BvU

r has two coordinates, so: No.

In a cartesian coordinate system with x horizontal and y vertical and O at the origin, you want the x coordinate and the y coordinate of the point where the leftmost 10 N acts. etcetera.

----

-10cos30 (4√3) -10sin 30 (10 $\qquad$ I suppose you mean (1)
+15sin30(2) + 15cos30(4√3)
-10cos30(4√3) -10sin30(4)
-15cos30(4√3) -15sin30(7)
+10cos30(4√3) +10sin30(11)
+P cos 60 (4√3) =0​

The red numbers 1, 2, 4, 7, 11 are wrong. So are all the 4√3

I can't find any A in your picture. What do you mean with A ?
(I don't mean 4/tan30, I mean where is it shown in your picture -- which please redraw to scale as insightful also suggested! -- it avoids more than half of your errors !)
The angle between P and the y-axis is clearly 90$^\circ$

----

11. Oct 13, 2015

werson tan

A is the distance of O to horizontal line where it join all the 15N and 10N

12. Oct 13, 2015

BvU

Well, you have the wrong value.

13. Oct 13, 2015

werson tan

Then , wat is the correct one ?

14. Oct 14, 2015

BvU

For me to know and for you to find out (sorry, that's the PF culture: the answer doesn't help you, you only learn by discovering for yourself). A little hint: it is considerably more than $4\sqrt 3$. Did you make a drawing ?

15. Oct 14, 2015

BvU

recognize this picture ? If $|\vec A| = 12$, what is $A_x$ and what is $A_y$ ?

16. Oct 14, 2015

werson tan

Ax = 12cos60 , Ay = 12 sin 60

17. Oct 14, 2015

BvU

So Ax = 6 and Ay is ... (not $4\sqrt 3$).

Proceed to list the x-coordinates for the various points where the 10N, 15, 10, 15, 10 N act.

18. Oct 14, 2015

werson tan

ok , then I'm sure the 1,2,4,7,11 is not correct ? what does those numbers mean ? then , how to determine the perpendicular distance for other forces which is situated at the right of the first 15N and 10N ?

19. Oct 14, 2015

BvU

Well, you have the y coordinates (at least if you filled in the dots in post #17 -- what did you get ?) and you have the horizontal distances to the leftmost point of the horizontal line where all these 10, 15 N forces act. What is the x coordinate of this leftmost point ?

I figured your post #1 doesn't deal with perpendicular distances but instead evaluates the $\ \vec\tau = \vec r \times \vec F \$ expression ($\ \tau_z = r_x F_y - r_y F_x \$ )​

Last edited: Oct 15, 2015
20. Oct 14, 2015

werson tan

i take the x coordinate of this leftmost point as {0, 0)
isnt the r in the expression ($\ \tau_z = r_x F_y - r_y F_x \$ ) represent perpendicular distance ? why you said my r is not perpendicular distance ?
the y coordinates are all 12sin60= 6 surd(3)

Last edited: Oct 14, 2015