5

Ideal izatio ns . Models or idcalizmions arc used in mechanics in

order \0 si mplify applicat ion of the theory. Here we ..... iIl conside r three
important idca lil~llions.

Particle. A pI/nidI! has a mass. bu t a 5i7£ that ca n be neglected. For

exa mple, the size o f the eart h is insignificant cornpilrcd 10 the size o f its
orbit,a nd therefore the cart h can be modeled as a panicle when stud ying
ils orbital mOl ion. When II body is idca1i7.cd as a particic.lhe principles of
mechanics reduce to a rathe r Simplified foml s ince Ihe geometry of the
body ...iII ' 101 bl! ;m'okf(i in Ihe analysis of the proble m.

Rigid Body. A rigid botly can be considered as a combination of a

large num be r of p(lrIidcs in whi ch all Ihe part icles re main a \ a fixed
dis l.mcc frolll one another. both before and after (Ipplying a Joad. lbis
model is im portanl because the mMerial properties of <l ny body Ihal is
assumed 10 be rigid will nOl han: to be conside red when stud yi ng Ihe
d fecis of forces (ICling on the body. In mOSI eases the llctual dcfomlations
occu rring in structures., machin es. mechanisms. and Ihe like arc relatively
small. and the rigid-body assumption is suitablc for anal ysis.

Concentrated Force. A crmCt'mrllft'(J j"rrt represe nts Ihe erfect of a

load ing which is assumed \0 act at a poi nt on a body. We ca n represent a
load by a concentrated force. prO\.ided the arca o\"cr which the load is
:lpplied is vcry small com pared to the ovcrnll size of the body.An e.~amplc
would bc the oon taet force bctwcen a wheel and the grou nd.

nu ee forces act On tht hook at A . Since Ihesc Sled is a cOmmOn enllineerinll n... tcri~llh~1 docs OOt deform
f(lrces all mcet at a point. thtn for any ((lrce ,"Ct)' mllCh unde.I(l:>d.Thcrcfon:. "'"C can oonsilkr lhis rail.oad
analysis.. ""c can assume Ihe hook 10 be "'hed tobe a rillid body aeled upon b)· thc oollttntrntcd force
,eprcscnted as a partick. of the mil.