2.

9 ANALYSING FORCE IN
EQUILIBRIUM
Recall back !!
3 method to determine the resultant force :-
i. Draw a triangle
ii. Parallelogram of force
iii. Resolve of force
a) Lift
b) Pulley
c) Inclined plane

RESULTANT FORCE
Resultant force, F = 8 - 3
= 5 N
PARALLELOGRAM
RESOLVE 0F FORCE
ELEVATOR SYSTEM (LIFT)
N or R is a Normal Reaction force that
indicates the reading of the weighing
machine.

Solve the problems involving resultant force
R
The man feels
heavier when lift is
accelerating
upwards

a
R = ma + mg
(upwards)

F = ma



R mg = ma


The reading of weighing scale > weight of the man
R
Lift is accelerating downwards
a
R = mg - ma
(downwards)

F = ma



mg - R = ma


The man feels lighter when
lift is accelerating
downwards
The reading of weighing scale < weight of the man
R
Lift is at constant velocity, a = 0
a = 0
F = ma
R mg = ma
R = ma + mg
R = m(0) + mg
R = mg
The man weight normally
when the lift is moving at
constant velocity.
The reading of weighing scale = weight of the man
R
Cable breaks, a = g (downwards)
F = ma
The man feels
weightless !!
a = g
mg R = ma
R = mg - ma
R = mg m(g)
R = 0
The reading of weighing scale = 0 N
R
TRY THIS
A students of mass 50 kg stands on a weighing scale in a lift.
What is the reading of the weighing scale when the lift :
a) moves up with constant velocity ?
b) goes down with an acceleration of 2 m/s2?
c) move up with an acceleration of 1 m/s2 ?
d) fall with acceleration g ?
ANSWER
a) moves up with constant velocity ?
a
50 kg
F = ma
R mg = ma
R = ma + mg
R = m ( a + g )
R = 50 (0 + 10)
R = 500 N
W = 50 X 10 = 500 N
The reading of weighing scale = weight of the student
50 kg
b) goes down with an acceleration of 2 m/s2?
F = ma
mg R = ma
R = mg ma
R = m ( g a )
R = 50 (10 2 )
R = 400 N

a = 2 m/s2
The reading of weighing scale < weight of the student
W = 50 X 10 = 500 N
50 kg
c) move up with an acceleration of 1 m/s2 ?
a = 1 m/s2
F = ma
R mg = ma
R = ma + mg
R = m ( a + g )
R = 50 (1 + 10 )
R = 550 N
The reading of weighing scale > weight of the student
W = 50 X 10 = 500 N
d) fall with acceleration g ?
a = g
F = ma
mg R = ma
R = mg ma
R = m ( g a )
R = 50 (0)
R = 0 N
The reading of weighing scale = weightless
W = 50 X 10 = 500 N
Module pg 87