3.

4 Three-Dimensional Force Systems

Again, just like in 2-dimension, Newton's first law must be satisfied.

F = 0

The only difference is now the forces have 3 components.

Fx = 0

Fy = 0

Fz = 0

Use vectors in 3_D!! How many unknowns can we solve for? 3

FBD !!

1). Given: The weight of the crate is 2025 lbs.

y
C

18 in

28 in

D
26 in

24 in

x
45 in

Find: the tension in the 3 cables

FBD

TAC

TAD

A(0,-45,0)
B(28,0,0)
C(0,0,-24)
D(-26,0,18)

TAB

F = 0

T AB +T AC +T AD +W = 0

W =2025
j

T AB = T AB u AB

( 28 0)i + (0 ( 45)) j + (0 0) k

T AB = T AB

28 2 + 45 2 + 0 2

T AB = 0.528T AB i +0.849T AB j

T AC =T AC u AC

(0 0)i + (0 (45)) j + ( 24 0)k

T AC = T AC

0 2 + 45 2 + 24 2

TAC =0TAC i +0.882TAC j 0.471TAC k

T AD = T AD u AD

(26 0)i + (0 (45)) j + (18 0) k

T AD = T AD

26 2 + 45 2 +18 2

T AD = 0.473T AD i +0.818T AD j +0.327T AD k

Substituting and collecting like terms:

(0.528T AB +0T AC 0.473T AD )i +(0.849T AB +0.882T AC +0.818T AC 2025) j
+(0T
0.471T
+0.327T ) k = 0
AB

AC

AD

0.528TAB + 0TAC 0.473TAD = 0

0.849TAB + 0.882TAC + 0.818TAD = 2025 Solving:
0TAB 0.471TAC + 0.327TAD = 0
T AB = 828 lbs
T AC = 642 lbs
T AD = 924 lbs

2). Given: One of the three landing pads for

the Mars Viking lander is shown in the figure
with its approximate dimensions. The mass of
the lander is 600 kg. Compute the force in each
leg when the lander is resting on a horizontal
surface on Mars
FBD

TDC

TBC

TAC

m = 600kg

A(0,300,350) C(550,0,0)
B(0,-300,350) D(100,0,1200)

a MARS = 3.73 m / s 2
W = 600(3.73)

F = 0

TAC +TBC +TDC + N = 0

W = 2238 N

W
= 746 N
3

N =746k

550i + 300 j 350k

550i 300 j 350k

T
=
T

BC
BC
TAC = TAC
2
2
2

2
2
2

550 + 300 + 350

550
+
300
+
350

T i 0.418T j 0.4877T
T
=0.7664
k
AC

AC

AC

AC

TBC = 0.7664TBC i + 0.4181TBC j 0.4877TBC k

450i + 0 j 1200k

TDC = TDC
450 2 + 0 2 +1200 2

TDC = 0.3511TDC i + 0TDC j 0.9363TDC k

Substituting and collecting like terms:

Solving:

0.7664 AC + 07664TBC + 0.3511TDC = 0

TAC = 239.7 N

0.4181TAC + 0.4181TBC + 0TDC = 0

TBC = 239.7 N

04877TAC 0.4877TBC 09363TDC = 746

TDC =1047 N

3). Given: In trying to move across an icy surface, a 175 pound man at A uses 2 ropes AB and
AC. Remember, the force exerted on the man by the icy surface is perpendicular to that surface.
y
B

8 ft

4 ft

O
x

z
16 ft

32 ft

12ft
A

30 ft
Find: The tension in each rope.
FBD

T AC

F = 0

TAC +TAB + N +W = 0

T AB

A(30,-16,12)
B(0,8,44)
C(0,4,0)
W =

175
j

N = N sin i + N cos j

16 30
N =
Ni +
Nj
34
34

N =0.471Ni +0.8824 Nj

16

34

30

30i + 20 j 12k
30i + 24 j + 32k

T AC = T AC
T
=
T
AB
AB
2
2
2
2
2
2
30
+
24
+
32
30
+
20
+
12

T AC = 0.7895T AC i + 0.5263T AC j 0.3158T AC kTAB = 0.6TAB i + 0.48TAB j + 0.64TAB k

Substituting and collecting like terms:

( 0.7895T AC 0.6T AB +0.471N )i +(0.5263T AC +0.48T AB +0.8824 N 175) j
+( 0.3158T
+0.64T +0 N ) k = 0
AC

AB

0.7895T AC 0.6T AB + 0.471N = 0

0.5263T AC + 0.48T AB + 0.8824 N = 175
0.3158T AC + 0.64T AB + 0 N = 0

Solving:
T AC = 62.6 lbs
T AB = 30.9 lbs
N =144 lbs