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arV17342
An elementary treatise on kinematics and
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AN ELEMENTARY TREATISE
KINEMATICS AND DYNAMICS.
AIS^ ELEMENTARY TREATISE
ON
KINEMATICS and DYNAMICS.
JAMES GOEDON MACGREGOR, M.A, D.Sc,
FELLOW OF THE ROYAL BOCIETIES OF EDINBURGH AND OF CANADA,
MOKEO FSOFEESOB OF PHYSIOS, DALHODSIE COLLEGE, HALIFAX, N.S.
^0nbon:
MACMILLAN AND CO,
AND NEW YORK.
1887.
©
All rights reserved.
CORNELL
UfSilVERSITY
^
UBRARV^'
UUIVEBSITY PRESS, GLASGOW I ROBERT MACLEHOSE.
PREFACE.
This book treats in an elementary manner the whole of
what is ordinarily known as Abstract Dynamics, including
Kinematics, Kinetics, and Statics, and is designed for
use in the higher classes of Schools and the junior classes
of Colleges arid Universities. It assumes, therefore, a
knowledge of only the. more elementary branches of
Mathematical Science — Geometry, Algebra, and Plane
Trigonometry.
The kinematical portions of the subject are treated by
themselves, not only because this course is the more
logical, but also because it has been found in my experience
to be the better from an educational point of view.
The usual division of Dynamics into Kinetics and
Statics has not been adopted ; but statical problems are
throughout regarded as boundary cases of kinetic prob-
lems, the equations of equilibrium being in all cases
deduced from the equations of motion. This course also
VI PREFACE.
has recommended itself to me both by its logical fitness
and in my experience as a teacher.
A careful analysis of the subject has been made, that
the reader may be able to recognise at once the exact re-
lation which each department bears to the whole. The
scrappiness of treatment which characterizes many of our
text-books has thus been avoided.
An endeavour has been made to eliminate all un-
necessary assumptions, the various so-called " Principles,"
which have obtained currency in our text-books, being
deduced from Newton's three Laws of Motion, which are
adopted as the fundamental hypotheses of theoretical
Dynamics.
It has been found necessary to modify the current
definitions of a few important terms, e.g., velocity and
acceleration. This is due to the adoption of the
distinction, proposed by Prof Tait, between velocity and
speed, and the extension of this distinction to acceleration
and rate of change of speed. Velocity and acceleration
have therefore been defined so as to connote both magni-
tude and direction.
A large number of illustrative problems have been
inserted both in the text and at the end of the volume.
These have been drawn, for the most part, from the ex-
amination papers of the more important British and
American Universities and Colleges; but some of them are
original, and some are taken from works mentioned below.
PREFACE. vn
For problems in Rigid Dynamics, I am especially indebted
to Walton's " Problems in Theoretical Mechanics.' ' Readers
who wish a larger selection of examples may be referred
to Garnett's " Elementary Dynamics," Greaves' " Elemen-
tary Statics," and Walton's "Problems in Elementary
Mechanics."
The traditional chapter on simple machines has been
omitted, but the treatment of simple machines has been
introduced here and there as illustrative matter.
In the preparation of my class lectures, which formed
the basis of this book, I derived assistance from a large
number of works on Kinematics and Dynamics. As the
lectures were prepared without any intention of publica-
tion, I am unable now to acknowledge, except in a general
way, the assistance thus derived. I am sensible of being
directly indebted, however, to a greater or smaller extent,
to the following works : — Thomson and Tait's " Treatise
on, and Elements of, Natural Philosophy " ; Tait's Article
on Mechanics in the "Encyclopaedia Britannica," 9th ed.,
and his ' Properties of Matter " : Frost's " Newton " ;
Clifford's " Elements of Dynamic " ; Maxwell's " Matter,
and Motion " ; Parkinson's " Elementary Mechanics " ;
Goodeve's " Principles of Mechanics " ; Garnett's "Elemen-
tary Dynamics " ; Wormell's " Principles of Dynamics " ;
Lodge's "Elementary Mechanics "; Earnshaw's " Statics '';
Minchin's " Treatise on Statics '' ; Routh's " Rigid
Dynamics " ; Thomson's Article on Elasticity in the
Vlll PEEFACE.
"Encyclopsedia Britannica," 9th ed. ; Everett's " Units
and Physical Constants"; and "Force, Impulsion
and Energy, by John O'Toole."
I am indebted for valuable suggestions to my colleagues,
Chas. Macdonald, M.A., Professor of Mathematics, and D.
A. Murray, B.A., Tutor in Mathematics, and to Professor
J. A. Ewing, F.R.S., of University College, Dundee, who
have kindly read portions of the proof sheets. To Mr.
Murray I am indebted also for the verification of a large
number of the examples.
I have taken pains to attain as great accuracy as
possible ; but errors are inevitable ; and readers will
confer a great favour if they will kindly point out to me
any they may detect.
J. G. MACGREGOR.
Dalhousib College,
Halifax, N.S.,
August 19t/i, 1887.
CONTENTS.
PART I.— KINEMATICS.
Chapter I. — Position and Motion.
Sec.
Subject matter of Kinematics, ... ... 1
Position, .... . 2
Co-ordinates, polar and Cartesian, . . . .3-10
Configuration, .... 11
Measurement, . ... 14-15
Measurement of length, area and volume, . 16-17
Derived units and their dimensions, . . . 18-20
Measurement of angle, .... . 21-22
Motion and rest, . . . 23-24
Time, . . ... 25
Description of instants, , . 26
Measurement of time, . . 27-32
Chapter II. — Translation : Paths.
Degrees of freedom of a point, . . .35
Paths, ... 36
Curvature, . . . . . 37-40
Tortuosity, ... . . . 41
Speed of a point moving in a given path, . 42-44
Units of speed and their dimensions, . . 45-49
Change of speed, . . . 51
Kate of change of speed, . . . . . 52-55
Units of rate of change of speed and their dimensions, . 56-58
Motion of a point in its path under given rates of change of speed, 60
The rate of change being zero, . . . . 61
The rate of change being uniform, . . 63-66
CONTENTS.
Chapter III. — Translation : Displacements, Velocities,
Accelerations.
Displacement (linear),
Change of the point of reference,
Composition of successive displacements, .
Composition of simultaneous displacements.
Resolution of displacements,
Trigduometrioal expression for resultant displacement,
Analytical expression for resultant displacement,
Velocity (linear),
Units of velocity, ....
Change of point of reference (relative velocity), .
Composition of velocities.
Resolution of velocities,
Moment of a velocity, .
Change of velocity.
Acceleration (linear), .
Units of acceleration,
The hodograph, . . ...
Change of point of reference (relative acceleration),
Composition and resolution of accelerations.
Tangential and normal acceleration.
Moment of an acceleration, .
Angular displacement of a point.
Angular velocity of a point.
Units of angular velocity, ...
Relation between angular and linear velocity.
Moment of linear velocity in terms of angular velocity,
Areal velocity, . . . ...
Angular acceleration of a point, ^
Units of angular acceleration.
Sec.
69-70
71-74
76-77
78
79-84
8.5-89
. 90
92
94
96
98
99-101
. 103-107
109
110
111
113
1].-)
.116-118
. 120-121
. 123-124
125
127
128
. 129-131
132
133
135
136
Chapter IV. — Translation : Motion under given Accelerations.
Unconstrained motion of a point, . 138
Under zero acceleration, . 138
Under a uniform acceleration, . .... 140
Rectilinear motion (falling bodies, etc. ), . 140
Curvilinear motion (projectiles), .... .142-154
CONTENTS. XI
Siso.
Under a central acceleration, . . 156
Planetary motion, . . 158-162
Harmonic motion, . . 163-180
Constrained motion of a point, . .181
Motion on an inclined plane, . . 181-183
Motion in a curved path, 185
Motion on a spherical surface (simple pendulum), . 187-190
Motion in a cycloid, . 192-193
Chapter V. — Rotation.
Degrees of freedom of a rigid system with one point fixed, . 198
Rotations, .... ... 199
Composition of successive rotations, . . 200-202
Composition of simultaneous rotations, . , 203-206
Resolution of rotations, .... 207
Rotational displacements, ... . 208-211
Angular velocity of a rigid system, ... . 212-215
Composition and resolution of angulat velocities, . . 216-218
Angular acceleration of a rigid system, 219-220
Composition and resolution of angular accelerations, . .221 -223
Motion of a rigid system under given angular accelerations, 224
Under zero angular acceleration, ...... 224
Under a constant angular acceleration, .... 225-227
Geometrical representation of the motion of a rigid system
about a fixed point, 22!)
Chapter VI. — Motion of Rigid Systems.
Degrees of freedom of a free rigid system, . . . . 231
Displacement of a free rigid system, 232-236
Special case of a rigid lamina moveable in its ovpn plane, . 233
Composition of translations and rotations, ..... 238-244
Reduction of any displacement to a translation and a rotation
about the direction of translation, . . . 245
Most general possible motion of a rigid body, 246
Composition of linear and angular velocities, . . 247-248
Composition of angular velocities about parallel axes, 249
Composition of linear and angular accelerations, . 250
Motion of a free rigid system under given accelerations, . . 251
Geometrical representation of the motion of a rigid lamina in its
own plane, 252
Motion of rigid systems under constraint (Kinematics of
machinery), . .' .... 253-254
CONTENTS.
Chapter VII. — Strains.
Homogeneous strains,
Sec.
257
Properties of homogeneous strains,
. 258-263
Strain ellipsoid, .
264
Undistorted planes,
265
Kelation of final to initial volume.
266
Pure strains
267
Rotational strains.
268
The shear, .
269
Homogeneity of the shear, .
: .... 270
Reduction of the shear to a pure
strain and a rotation, 272-275
Relation of amount of shear to
principal ratios and
elongations, .
276
Torsion, flexure, etc., .
277
Specification of a strain,
. 278-283
Heterogeneous strains,
284
PART II.— DYNAMICS.
Chapteb I. — The Laws of Motio>'.
Forccj . . . . . . 285
First law of motion, . . 286
Second law of motion, . 287-295
Measurement of force and mass, . . 297-298
Gravitational units, . . 298-300
Absolute units, . . . . . 301-303
Density, . . .304
Third law of motion, .... . 307
Hypothetical character and verification of the laws of motion, . 308
Galileo's law,. . . . . . 309
Chapter II. — Dynamics of a Particle.
Specification of a force acting on a particle.
Composition and resolution of forces acting on a particle,
Attractions,
Equations of motion of a particle,
Equations of motion in terms of impulse, .
Impact, . . .
311
312-313
315-316
317-318
319
321
CONTENTS. Xlll
Sec.
Equilibrium of a particle, ... . 323-326
Friction,
Work done.
Units of work done,
Eate of work done,
Units of rate of work done.
Work done under given forces,
Under a uniform force.
Under a central force,
328
330
. 331-332
. 333-334
335
337
337
..3.38-340
Relation of work done by resultant to work done by com-
ponent forces, . . . . . ,342
Energy, . . . 343
Kinetic energy, . 344
Potential energy, . . . 345
The law of energy, . . . ,348
Transformations of energy, . . 349
AppUoatibn of law of energy to kinetic problems, . 351
Application of law of energy to static problems (principle
of virtual velocities), . . . . 353
Potential, ... ... . 355-357
Equipotential surfaces, . 358
Lines of force, . . . 359
Tubes of force, . . 360
Gravitational potential, . . ... 361
Integral normal attraction over a surface and applications
to calculation of ajitractions, 365-370
Mapping out of field of force, . . . . 371
Chapter III. — Dynamics op Simple Systems of Particles.
Internal and external forces . 376
Collision, .377
Systems of particles connected by strings, . 381
Atwood's machine, etc., . . . 382
Chapter IV. — Dynamics of Flexible Inbxtensiblb Strings.
Equations of motion and of equilibrium, . . 384-385
Strings under no external forces, . . 387
Strings under forces acting at isolated points, . 389
XIT CONTENTS.
Sec
Strings under external forces continuously applied, . . 390
The external force being the reaction of a curved surface,
smooth or rough, 391-392
The external force being the weight of the string, . . 394-396
Chapter V.— Dynamics or Extended Bodies.
Centre of mass • 399
Distance of centre of mass from any plane, . . . 400
Determination of centres of mass in special cases, . . 405-408
Velocity and acceleration of centre of mass in terms of
velocities and accelerations of particles and their
masses, ... ... . 409-4J2
Acceleration of centre of mass in terms of external forces, . 414
Conservation of linear momentum, .... 416
D'Alembert's principle, . . . 417
Moment of momentum, . . .418-419
Angular momentum, 420
Relation between moment of momentum and angular
momentum, 421
Moment of acceleration of momentum, ..... 422
Relation between moment of acceleration of momentum and
rate of change of angular momentum, . . . 423
Moment of a force, ... 425-427
Rate of change of angular momentum in terras of moments of
exbernal forces, 428
Conservation of angular momentum or of areas, . 429
Equations of motion of extended systems, . . 431
Energy of a system of particles, . . . 432-434
Conservation of energy, . . 435-436
Law of energy, . . . 437-442
Equilibrium of extended systeu,^, . . 444-449
Stability of equilibrium, . . .... 450
Relation between potential energy and stability of equi-
librium, . . .... 451-452
Chapter VI. — Dynamics op Rigid Bodies.
Application of general equations of motion to rigid bodies, 453
Rotating power of a force on a rigid body, . . . 455
Principle of transmissibility of force, . . . 456
Specification of a force acting on a rigid body, . 457
CONTENTS.
XV
Sec.
Composition of Forces acting on a rigid 1)0(13?, .... 459
Co-planar forces reducible to a single force, 460
Resultant of non-parallel coplanar forces, . 461-463
Resultant of parallel coplanar forces, . . 464-470
Couples, ...'.. . . 467-469
Parallel forces reducible to a single force, . 471
Centre of system of parallel forces, . 472
Centre of gravity, . . ... 473-474
Any system of forces reducible to two forces, ' . . . 476
Condition of reducibility to a single force, .... 477-478
Any system of forces reducible to a single force and a single
couple, .... ... 479-481
Poinsot's central axis, . . . 482-484
Moments of inertia, .... 486
Determination by experiment, . 487
Determination by calculation, . . . 488-490
Units of moment of inertia, . . . 491-492
Equations of motion of a rigid body, . 493
Equations of motion in terms of impulse, 494
Conservation of linear and angular momentum, . . 495
Motion of rigid bodies about fixed axes (physical pendulum, etc. ) , 496
Motion of free rigid bodies, . 497
Motion of systems of rigid bodies (Atwood's machine, common
balance, direct and oblique impact of spheres, etc.,) . 498
Application of the law of energy to the solution of problems on
rigid bodies, ... . . 499
Equilibrium of a rigid body, ... . . 500-506
Equilibrium of the balance, lever, wheel and axle, etc. , . 507
Equilibrium of a system of rigid bodies, ..... 508
Equilibrium of systems of pulleys, levers, bars, etc., . 509
Conditions of equilibrium in terms of work done, . . . 510-516
Equilibrium of systems of pulleys, differential wheel and
axle, screw, differential screw, etc 517
Chapter VII. — Dynamics of Elastic Solids and Fluids.
Statics of deformable bodies, ... ... 518
Stresses . . .519-521
Homogeneous stress, .... . . 522
Units of stress and their dimensions, . . 523
xvi CONTENTS.
Sec.
Resultant of stress, . 525-527
Centre of stress, .528-529
Resolution of stress, . .... 530
Specification of stress 531-537
Resolution of a tangential stress into longitudinal stresses, 538
Relation of stress to strain, ■ 5^0
Homogeneous bodies, . ... 541
Isotropic bodies, . . 542
Elasticity, . . . .543-546
Solids and fluids, . . 547
Conditions of elastic isotropy, . 549
Statics of elastic solids, ... . 551
Moduluses of elasticity, 551
Strain due to longitudinal stress, . . . 554
Stress required for longitudinal strain, . . 555
Torsion of a cylinder, flexure of a beam, etc., . 556
Kinetics of elastic solids, . 557
Time of oscillation of body suspended by a twisted wire, . 558
Work done during strain, . . .... 559-564
Resilience, ... . .... 565
Statics of fluids (Hydrostatics), 566
Stresses in fluids, . . . 569
Homogeneity of fluid pressure, . 569
Specification of fluid pressure, . . . 570
Equal transmission of pressure, . 571
Surfaces of equal pressure, . 572
Variation of pressure in fluids acted upon by external forces, 577-578
In the ease of liquids, . . . 579
In the case of gases, . . 580
Archimedes' principle, ... 58 1
Equilibrium of a floating body, . . . . 582
Stability of equilibrium of a floating body, . 583
Kinetics of fluids (Hydrokinetics), . . . • . 584
Stresses in a fluid in motion, . . 585
Equations of motion, . . 586
Steady motion . 587
Equation of energy for steady motion, . . . 588
Flow of liquid through an orifice (Torricelli's theorem), 589
Work done during strain of a fluid, ... . 590
PART I.— KINEMATICS.
ERKATA.
Page 32, 4th line— /or 0003, read 0-0003.
—for PjP and pPg, read pP^ and Pjp.
—for these moments, read the moments of OA and
OB.
— -for are, read area.
—forp, read pv.
—for KLMN, read HKLM.
—for x=x + i, readx^x + ^.
—for single read resultant.
—for is, read are.
from the foot of the page— /oj- ns, read Ans.
? . , read -? . 8.
ti I
63,
4th „
79,
1st ,,
79,
2nd ,,
123,
13th „
307,
9th „
320,
19th „
344,
12th „
344,
13th „
370,
2nd „
375,
3rd „
383,
7th „
385,
10th ,,
391,
2nd „
426,
5th ,,
—for X-
—for
from the foot of the page — the equation should be,
r' - w'a cos S = 0.
—for s, read is.
—the equation should be, *= lE^'^t^ .
%;mr-vnir)
—fm- hinge-pin, read hinge-pins.
PART I.— KINEMATICS.
CHAPTEE I.
POSITION AND MOTION.
1. Kinematics is that branch of Matliematical Science
which investigates motion. It makes no inquiry as to
the causes of the changes of motion in bodies, but studies
their motion in itself.
2. Position. — We recognize bodies as existing in space
and having definite, positions among one another. We
recognize them as having positions, however, only by the
aid of neighbouring bodies, and we describe the positions
of their various points by, reference to chosen points
in neighbouring jbodies. Position in space is thus a
relative conception. "Absolute position" is a meaning-
less phrase.
The position of a point P, relative to any other point
0, is completely determined if we have sufficient data to
enable us to proceed from' to P. There are various
modes of specifying the necessary data. They are called
systems of co-ordinates. Of these we may mention two :
,(1) that of Polar Co-ordinates ; (2) that of Cartesian
Co-ordinates.
KINEMATICS. [ 3
3. Polar Co-ordinates. — If the point P is situated in a
given plane, its position relative to 0,
a^Qother point in that plane, may be de-
scribed by the aid of Olf, a known line
in the same plaDe, by a statement of the
-" angle NOP and the length OP. Thus,
if and P are points in a horizontal plane, and OH the
north and south line through 0, the angle NOP (which
in that case is called the azimuth of P) and the distance
of P from determine the position of P
The point is called the pole in this system of co-
ordinates, ON is called the initial line, and OP the radius
vector. The length o£ OP and the magnitude of the
angle NOP are the polar co-ordinates of the point P.
They are usually denoted by the symbols r and 6.
To describe the position of a point P not in a known
plane, let be the pole, ON the initial line, and ONA
a known plane containing ON but not
P. Let OA be the intersection of the
plane ONA with a plane perpendicular
to it through OP Then, if the angles
NO A and J. OP are given, the direction
of OP is known, and if the length of
OP is also given, the position of P is
completely determined. The length of OP and the
angles NO A and AOP are then the polar co-ordinates of
P. They are usually denoted by r,
OP^==x^ + y^.+z\
Hence OP^ = 0P\cqs\ + cos^^g + cos V),
an d cos^a + cos^/3 + cos^y = 1 .
If therefore the length of OP, and any two of the
angles a, /3, y, be given, the position of P is completely
specified.
The direction of OP is specified by any two of the
angles a, ^, y. The cosine? of these angles are therefore
called the direction cosines of OP.
8. It is frequently convenient to be able tt^ express the
KINEMATICS.
[8
inclination* of two straight lines in terms of their direc-
tion cosines. Let OP and OP' be two such lines or
lines drawn parallel to them, Ox, Oy, Oz rectangular
axes, OL, LM, MP the rectangular co-ordinates of any
point P of OP, and a, /8, y the angles of inclination of
OP to the axes of x, y, and z respectively. Then
OL = OP cos a, LM=OP cos /3, MP = OP cos y.
Now the projection! of OP on OP' is equal to the sum of
* The inclination of one straight line to another, whether they
are in one plane or not, is the angle between two lines drawn
parallel to them from any point.
t (1) The foot of the perpendicular from a point on a straight
line is called the orthogonal projection or simply the projection of
the point on the line.
(2) The locus of the projections of all the points of any line on a
given straight line is called the projection of the former on the latter.
(3) The projection of a finite straight line on a straight line is
equal in length to the product of the length of the projected line
into the cosine of its inclination to the given straight line. Let LM
be the projected line, AB the line on which it is projected. In
general these lines will not be in the same plane. From L, M, draw
111, Mm, perpendicular to AB. Then Im is the projection of LM.
From m draw ml' equal and parallel to ML, and join LV and W.
Then LV is parallel to Mm and therefore perpendicular to AB^
Hence the plane LIV and therefore the line IV are perpendicular
to A B. Hence
Im = I'm cos ImV = LM cos Iml',
9]
POSITION AND MOTION.
the projections of OL, LM, and MP on the same line;
Hence, if Q is the angle between OP and OP', and a, /3',
y, the inclinations of OP' to the' axes of x, y, and z
respectively, ,
OP cos d = OL cos a + LM cos 13'+ MP cos y
= OPcosa cosa'+ OP cos ^8 cos /3' + OP cos y cos y.
Hence
cos = cos a cos a + cos j3 cos jS' + cos y cos y.
9. To find the value of sin 6, call cos a, cos j8, and
cosy, Z, wi, and n respectively, and cos a', cos^Q', and
cos y, r, m', and n' respectively. Then
I.e., the projection of LM is equal to the product of LM into the
cosine of its inclination to AB. The simpler case in which LM and
AB are in one plane may be left to tlie reader.
(4) The algebraic sum of the projections of the parts of a broken
line ia equal to the projection of the straight line joining its end
points. Let OLMP be a broken line, the straight portions of which,
OL, LM, MP, are not in one plane. From and P draw Oo and
Pp perpendicular to A B. Then ol, Im, and r)ip are the projections
of OL, LM, and MP on A B. Also, from the construction, op is the
projection of the line OP on AB. And op = ol + lm + mp. Hence
the projection of OP on AB is equal to the sum of the projections
of OL, LM, and MP on the same line.
If the position of L is such that the point I is situated to the left
of o, ol being drawn to the left instead of the right must be con-
sidered negative, the lines Im and mp being taken as positive. In
that case we have op = lm + m.p — ol, i.e., the projection of OP on AB
is equal to the algebraic sum of the projections of OL, LM, and MP
on the same line.
8 KINEMATICS. [9
sin ={ 1 - {W + mm' + nn'f}i
= {(J?j^m''+ n^){l'^ + m'2 + n'^) - {W + mm' + nn'f}i
= {{mn -nm'y+{nr -ln'f+{lm' -ml'}^}i.
10. It is frequently convenient also to be able to
express the direction cosines (X, jm, v) of the common
perpendicular to two lines, in terms of the direction
cosines (I, m, n, and I', m', n') of the lines themselves.
For this purpose we have (8), since cos ('7r/2) = 0,
l\ + mfi. + nv = 0,
r\ + m'im+n'v = 0.
We have also (7) \^ + fj,^+v^=. 1.
From these equations we obtain values of X, fi> v-
Writing sin 6 for its value as given above (9) they are
mw'— Tim' _nl'—ln'_ _lm'—'ml'
" sin ' '^ ~" sin ' ~" sin ■
n. The positions of any two points relative to a third
being given, that of either of the two relative to the
other can be determined.
The positions of P and Q being given relatively to 0,
p the lengths and directions of OP and
OQ are known. Hence also (8) the
*5 angle POQ is known, and consequently
all the sides and angles of the triangle
OPQ. The direction and length of PQ
being thus determined, the position of either of the two
P, Q, relative to the other is known.
It follows that, if the positions of all the points of a
sj'stem relative to any one are known, their positions
relative to any other are known also.
12. Configuration. — The arrangement of the points of
a system is called its configuration. The configuration
14] POSITION AND MOTION. 9
of a system is thus known if the positions of all points
relative to any one are known.
13. Dimensions of Space. — Whatever system of co-
ordinates we may adopt, we require, in order to specify
the position of a point, to have three quantities given.
In the case of rectangular co-ordinates they are distances;
in that of polar co-ordinates they consist of two angles
and a distance. Hence space is said to be tri-dimen-
sional.
Similarly, any point in a given surface may be specified
by a statement of two; quantities, two distances or a
distance and an angle ; and any point in a given line
may be specified by the statement of a distance merely.
Hence a surface is said to have two dimensions, and a
line one dimension.
14. Measurement. — The specification of the position of
a point requires therefore that we should be able to
measure lengths and angles.
The measurement of any quantity is the comparison of
its magnitude with the magnitude of a known quantity
of the same kind. The known quantity of the same kind
is called a standard or unit; and a description of any
measurement must include a statement of (1) the unit
employed, and (2) the ratio of the magnitude of the
quantity to be measured to the magnitude of the unit.
This ratio is called the numerical measure or value of
the quantity. Prof James Thomson has proposed to
shorten these terms to numeric.
Any quantity whatever, of the same kind as that to be
measured, may be chosen as a standard or unit. But it
will be evident that no standard should be employed
which is not (1) constant in magnitude, (2) well known,
and (3) easily reproduced ; and we shall see farther on,
10 KINEMATICS. [14
that among standards satisfying these conditions, there
are reasons for preferring some to others.
15. We have seen that the numerical measure of any
quantity in terms of any unit is the ratio of the magnitude
of the quantity to that of the unit. It follows that the
numerical measure of a given quantity must be inversely
proportional to the magnitude of the unit in terms of
which the quantity is expressed. Let Q be the numerical
value of any quantity, and let [Q] denote the magnitude
of the unit in terms of which it is expressed. Then we
have
Qal/[Q].
16. Measurement of Length. — The selection of stand-
ards of length presents no difficulty. A certain distance
in space cannot, it is true, be marked off and kept ; but
a body, say a rod, may be selected and carefully preserved,
and when it is in a specified physical condition (as to
temperature, etc.), its length may be taken as unit of
length. The submultiples of the unit thus chosen may
then be determined by geometrical methods. For the
various methods of comparing the length of a body or the
distance between two points in space with the standard
length, the reader is referred to works on Laboratory
Practice.
Different nations have adopted different units of length.
The more important are the English and French units.
The English unit, the yard, is defined by Act of Parlia-
ment to be the distance between the centres of two gold
plugs in a certain bronze bar deposited in the Office of
the Exchequer in London, the bar having the temperature
62°F. (The specification of the temperature is necessary,
because the lengths of bodies vary with temperature.)
The foot is one-third of the yard. The inch is one-
twelfth of the foot. The statute mile is 1,760 yards.
The French unit, the mhtre, is the distance between the
17] POSITION AND MOTION. 11
end planes of a certain platinum bar deposited in Paris,
the temperature of the bar being 0°C. The metre was
intended to be the ten-millionth part of a quadrantal
arc of a meridian on the earth's surface. It is now
known to be a somewhat smaller fraction. The decvmetre,
centivietre, and Tnillimetre are the tenth, hundredth, and
thousandth parts of a metre, respectively. The decametre,
hectometre, and kilometre are equal to ten, one hundred,
and one thousand metres I'espectively. The decimal
division of the metre renders it a much more convenient
unit than the yard.
The following table shows approximately the relative
values of English and French units of length : —
1 centimetre = 0-39370 in.
1 inch = 2-5400 cm.
1 foot =30-4797 cm.
1 yard = 91 -4392 cm.
1 mile= 1-60933 km.
do. =0-032809 ft.
1 metre =3-28087 ft.
1 kilometre =0-62138 ml.
17. Measurement of Area and Volume. — "We may
notice here, though it is not necessary for our present
purpose, the measurement of area and volume.
Any arbitrary area may be chosen as unit of surface or
area. But the most convenient unit is the area of a
square whose side is of unit length. The English units
are therefore the square yard, square foot, square inch,
etc.; the French units, the square metre, square centi-
metre, etc.
1 sq. inch = 6-4516 sq. cm.
1 sq. foot =929-01 sq. cm.
1 sq. yard = •836113 sq.m.
1 sq. mile = 2-59 sq. km.
1 sq. centimetre = 0-1550 sq. in.
do. =0-001076 sq.ft.
1 sq. metre =1-196 sq. yd.
1 sq. kilometre =0-3861 sq. ml.
Similarly, the most convenient unit of volume is that
of a cube ,whose edge is of unit length. The English
units are thus the cubic yard, cubic foot, etc.; the French
12 KINEMATICS. [17
units are the cubic metre, cubic decimetre (called the
litre), etc.
1 cu. inch = IC'SS? cu. em.
1 cu. foot =283ie' cu. cm.
1 cu. yard= 0'764535 cu. m.
1 cu. cm. =0'06102 cu. in.
do. = 3-532 X 10-5 cu. ft.
1 cu. metre = 1 '308 cu. yd.
18. Derived Units. — A unit of a quantity of one kind
which is thus defined by reference to the unit of a quan-
tity of another kind is called a' derived unit. The
magnitude of such a unit will depend upon that of the
simple, or arbitrarily chosen, unit, by reference to which
it is derived. Thus it is clear that if our unit of length
be increased two, three, four, etc., times, our unit of area
will be increased four, nine, sixteen, etc., times respec-
tively ; or, generally, that the magnitude of the unit of
area is directly proportional to the square of the magni-
tude of the unit of length. In symbols, if [S] represent
the magnitude of the unit of area, and [i] that of the
unit of length, [8] a [Lf.
A statement of the mode in which the magnitude of a
derived unit varies with the magnitudes of the simple
units involved in it, is called a statement of the dimen-
sions of the unit. The unit of area has thus the
dimensions [Z]^.
19. Though this result is suflBciently obvious, we may
obtain it by a method which we shall find useful when
dealing with more complicated units. Let s be the area
of a square whose side is I. Then s=P. Now (15)
s a l/[;Sf] and I a 1/[L]. Hence [S] oc [Lf-
20. The reader will find no difficulty in showing in a
similar way, that the unit of volume has the dimensions
[Lf-
21. Measurement of Angle. — There are two units of
plane angle, in ordinary use, the degree and the ladian.
24] POSITION AND MOTION. 13
The degree is the ninetieth part of a right angle ; and its
subdivisions are the minute, which is one sixtieth part of
a degree, and the second, which is one sixtieth part of
a minute. The radian is the angle subtended at the
centre of a circle by an arc equal in length to the radius.
As the circumference of a circle is 2^ times the radius,
the radian is equal to 360°-i-27r, i.e., to 57°"29578... or to
57° 17' 44"-8 nearly. It is subdivided decimally. The
numerical measure of an angle in radians is often called
its "circular measure." It is obvious that the angle sub-
tended at the centre of a circle of radius r, by an arc of
length a, is equal to ajr radians, and- that consequently
the magnitude of the radian is independent of the mag-
nitude of the unit of length.
22. The unit of solid angle is the solid angle sub-
tended at the centre of a sphere by a portion of its
surface whose area is equal to the square of its radius.
It may be called the solid radian. It follows that the
solid angle subtended at the centre of a sphere of radius
r, by a portion of its surface whose area is A, is Ajr^
solid radians, and that the magnitude of the solid radian
is thus also independent of that of th^ unit of length.
23. Motion. — The motion of a point is its change of
position in space.- It is therefore completely described
by a statement of the changes in the co-ordinates of the
point. Motion is thus, like position, a relative con-
ception.
24. Rest. — A point which is undergoing no change of
position, whose co-ordinates therefore are not varying, is
said to be at rest relative to the origin of co-ordinates or
point of reference. In any case in which we speak of a
body as being simply " at rest," it is assumed that the
point of reference is known.
A " fixed point " or a " point fixed in space ' is one
14 KINEMATICS. [24
which, during the time under consideration, is at rest
relatively to the point which has been chosen as point of
reference. A line fixed in space is one containing fixed
points,
25. Relation of Motion to Time. — The motion of a body
is found to occupy time ; and one important object of
Kinematics is to compare the contemporaneous motions
of different bodies, and to determine the laws according
to which the changes in the co-ordinates of some bodies
are related to the contemporaneous changes in the co-
ordinates of others. As it is not possible for one observer
to make many observations of the positions of bodies at
the same instant, it is necessary, for the attainment of
this object, to be able to describe instants of time, in
order that the observations of different observers may
be comparable.
26. Description of Instants of Time. — To describe the
times of occurrence of events, it is only necessary that
we should fix upon some series .of continually occurring
events and keep a record of them. We may choose, for
example, the daity passage across the meridian, of a
known point in the "heavens, say a "fixed" star. In that
case, the time of the occurrence of an event would be
described as between the «"■ and the (TC-f-l)* transits
of this star. To make the description more definite, we
may use a rapidly oscillating pendulum, and describe
the event as occurring between the m**" and (m-l-1)*''
oscillations of the pendulum after the n*^ transit of the
fixed star. By thus selecting a series of events occurring
with sufficient frequency, it is possible to give our de-
scriptions of instants of time as great precision as may
be desirable.
27. " Measurement " of Time. — As we are thus able to
describe instants, it is possible to record the magnitudes
of quantities {e.g., distances, angles, etc.) at definite
29] POSITION AND MOTION. 15
instants, and therefore to compare the changes which the
positions of bodies may have undergone in any required
interval of time.
28. In order to compare the contemporaneous motions
of any number of bodies among one another, it is only
necessary to compare the motion of each body with that of
some one selected as a standard of comparison. In selecting
a standard, it will save a great deal of labour if we choose
a body whose motion is such that as many as possible
of the laws of the motions of other bodies, when expressed
in terms of its motion, are (1) simple, and (2) permanent,
i.e., independent of the date of their determination. To
fix upon such a moving body, it is necessary to make
observations of the positions of many bodies at short
intervals during long periods of time, and to keep records of
them. This has been done by astronomers, whose records
extend over 2,500 years. Their observations show, that if
the motions of other bodies are compared with the rotation
(194) of the earth relative to the "fixed" stars, the laws of
their motions take forms which are simpler and more per-
manent than if any other motion is taken as the standard.
Hence by common consent the motion of the earth about
its axis is taken as a standard with which other motions
are compared.
29. When the law of the change of the position of a
body, with reference to the rotation of the earth about
its axis, is determined, we are said to have determined
the law of its change of position with reference to time,
successive rotations of the earth being assumed to occur
in equal intervals of time. Whether they do so or not,
we have no means of knowing, as we have no means of
measuring time, But this form of speech, which assumes
the possibility of measuring time, is conveniently short,
and so long as we keep in mind its real meaning, can
lead to no error. The period of the earth's rotation with
reference to the fixed stars, i.e., the period between sue-
16 KINEMATICS. [29
cessive instants at which a fixed star is on our meridian,
is called a sidereal day. When we employ the earth's
rotation relative to the fixed stars as a standard motion,
we may be said to employ the sidereal day as a unit of
time.
. 30. Recent discussion of astronomical observations *
seems to show that the laws of the motions of heavenly
bodies would take simpler forms, and would be more
permanent, if the standard motion were that of an ideal
earth, rotating so that its rate of rotation would slowly
gain on the rate of I'otation of the actual earth. At what
rate the ideal earth's rate of rotation should gain on that
of the actual earth in order that these laws may take
their simplest and most permanent forms, is not known.
But the astronomical data are sufficiently definite to show
that it is exceedingly small. This result is expressed in
the language of time by saying that the sidereal day is
increasing at a very slow rate.
31. It is found practically inconvenient to compare the
motions of bodies directly with the rotation of the earth
relative to the fixed stars. They are usually compared
directly with the rotation of the earth relative to the
sun ; and the law, according to which the earth rotates
relatively to the sun, having been determined in terms
of its rotation relative to the fixed stars, they can . thus
be indirecjtly compared with the standard motion. In
the language of time, it is found more convenient to
measure time in terms of the solar day than of the
sidereal day. The solar day being a variable period, the
mean solar day is chosen as practical unit. It is found
to be equal to 1 '002738... sidereal days.
32. It is frequently convenient to compare motions
with some periodic motion of much greater frequency than
* See Thomson and Tait's " Treatise on Natural Philosophy,"
pt. IL, § 830.
33] POSITION AND MOTION. 17
the rotation of the earth. In such cases the oscillation
of a pendulum is chosen ; for it is found that, if a pen-
dulum is kept in a constant physical condition, it will
oscillate the same number of times in different sidereal
days, and that in I/ti"* of a day (i.e., while the earth is
making l/n*^ of a rotation) it will make I/tc*^ of the
number of oscillations made in a whole day. The second
is the time of oscillation of a pendulum which oscillates
86,400 {i.e., 24 x 60 x 60) times in a mean solar day. The
sidereal day contains 86,164 mean solar seconds. A clock
is an instrument for maintaining a pendulum in oscilla-
tion and for counting its oscillations.
33. Complexity of Motion. — The motions of bodies
may be of various degrees of complexity. The simplest
form is that in which all points of the body move
through equal distances in the same direction. Such
a motion is called a translation. If, though the various
points of the body maintain the same relative positions
during the motion, they do not move through equal
distances in the same direction, the motion is partly or
wholly a rotation. If, finally, the points of the body do
not maintain the same distances from one another during
the motion, the motion consists partly of a strain or
change of volume or form.
We shall see farther on that the action of a force upon
a body usually affects the motion of the body in all these
ways. It is convenient, however, to study the different
kinds of motion separately, assuming bodies to have that
kind of motion alone, which, for the time, we may wish
to investigate.
KINEMATICS. [34
CHAPTER II.
TRANSLATION :— PATHS.
34. We have defined translation to be the motion
which a hody has when all its points move through
equal distances in the same direction. If then the
motion of one point is known, the translation of the
body is known. Hence the study of the translation of a
body is the same as the study of the motion of a point.
35. Degrees of Freedom. — The position of a point, as
we have seen, is determined by three numbers, which
may be measures of distance or of distance and angle.
The motion is determined if the changes in these meas-
ures are known. Hence a point is said to have three
degrees of freedom to move.
If the point be constrained to remain on a given sur-
face its position can then be determined by two numbers,
and it has therefore two degrees of freedom. One degree
of constraint is said to have been introduced. The con-
dition of constraint in this case is that the distance of the
point from the surface shall be zero. If the point be
constrained to remain on each of two surfaces it must
remain on their line of intersection. Hence its position
and its motion may be determined by one number, the
distance or the change of distance from a given point in
the line. It has one degree of freedom. Two degrees of
37 ] TRANSLATION : PATHS. 1 9
constraint have been introduced. A third degree of
constraint, the condition for instance that the point
remain on a third surface, will confine it to the point
in which the three surfaces intersect: it has then no
freedom.
Constraint is of course not necessarily applied in the
way mentioned above. Thus the condition that a point
shall maintain a given distance from a given fixed point
restricts its motion to the surface of a sphere. A second
degree of freedom is destroyed by constraining the point
to move in a vertical plane, and it can now move only in
the curve of intersection of the vertical plane and the
sphere.. If now it be so constrained that the line joining
it with the fixed point maintains a constant inclination
to a fixed line in the given vertical plane, the point has
three degrees of constraint and consequently a definite
position.
36. Paths. — The path of a moving point is the locus
of its successive positions, It must be a continuous
line, bnt may have any form whatever. We shall
see farther on (295), however, that the path of a material
particle (310) can undergo no abrupt changes of direction,
unless indeed its motion cease and recommence ; and
we shall restrict ourselves to the study of paths which
are possible for material particles.
The direction of such a path at any point is that of the
tangent at that point.
37. Curvature. — The change of direction between any
two points of a path lying wholly in one plane is called
the integral curvature between these points. It is
evidently measured by the angle between the tangents
at these points.
The mean curvature between two points is the
integral curvature between them divided by the length
20
KINEMATICS.
[37
of path intercepted by them. Thus, if AB is a portion
of the path of a moving point, AC and BD being tan-
gents at A and B respectively,
inclined at the angle
67. Examples.
(1) A railway train is moving with a speed of 20 mis. per hour,
and is increasing its speed uniformly at the rate of 10 mls.-per-hour
per hour. Find (a) its speed after 1^ hours, and (6) the distance
traversed in that time. [For (a)— Data : V(,=20mls. per hour; a=10
mls.-per-hour per hour; t=V5 hours. To be determined : v. And
(63) v=v„+at. For (6) — Data: as above. To be determined: s.
And (64) «=«o«+|a«2.]
Ans. (a) 35 mis. per hour; (6) 41^ mis.
(2) A railway train, moving at 50 mis. per hour, has the brakes
put on, ami its speed diminishes uniformly for 1 minute, when it is
found to have a speed of 20 mis. per hour. Find- (as) its rate of
change of speed, and (6) the distance traversed in the time.
Ans. (a) - 1,800 ml.-hour units; (6) A ml.
(3) A point whose speed is initially 20 m. per sec, and is
diminishing at the uniform rate of 50 cm.-per-sec. per sec., moves
in its path until its speed is 120 m. per min. Find the length of
path between the initial and final positions. [Data: Vq = 20 m.
per sec; a= — 50 cm.-per-sec. per sec. = -0'5 m.-per-sec. per sec. ;
w=120 m. per min. = 2 m. per sec. And (65) v^=Vg^ + Z as.]
Ans. 396 m.
(4) A point has a uniform rate of increase of speed of 20 cm.-per-
sec per sec. and an initial speed of 30 cm. per sec. Find (a) the
speed after 16 sec; (6) the time required to traverse 300 cm.; (c) the
change of speed in traversing that distance.
Ans. (a) 350 cm. per sec; (6) (•y/T29-3)/2 sec; (c) 10(«yi29-.3)
cm. per sec
(5) If in Ex. (4) the speed be decreasing instead of increasing,
find (a) the distance from the starting point to the turning point,
(6) the distance from the starting point after 10 sec. ; (c) the length
of path traversed during the time in which the speed changes
to 60 cm. per sec; (d) the time required by the moving point to
return to the starting point. [To find (a), note that the speed
36 KINEMATICS. [67
Pg,
whose other sides PjP^ and P^^ in the one triangle, and
Pj) and pPj in the other, represent the displacements A
and B respectively. Hence, if two sides of a triangle
taken the same way round represent the two successive
displacements of a moving point, the third side taken
the opposite way round will represent the resultant
displacement.
Also PjP^ is the diagonal of the parallelogram pP^
through the point of intersection of the adjacent sides
P^P^, Pip, which represent the two successive displace-
ments A and B. Hence, if two successive displacements
of a point be represented by two adjacent sides of a
parallelogram, taken opposite ways round, the diagonal
of the parallelogram through their point of intersection
will represent the resultant displacement.
Case II. — More than Tivo Displacements. — Let A,B C
represent the successive displacements, Pj being the
76] TRANSLATION : DISPLACEMENTS. 43
initial position of the moving point. Draw P^P^ P^Pp
P^Pi equal to and codirectional with A, B, and G respec-
tively. Join PJP^. Then P^ being the final position of
the moving point, P^P^ is the resultant displacement.
The same construction is applicable to any number, of
displacements. If A, B, G, etc., are all in one plane,
P^P^PJP^... is a plane polygon; if not, it is a gauche
polygon.
It is clear that the same point P^ is reached in what-
ever order the displacements occur. For, if the parallelo-
gram PJ^i be completed, and then the parallelograms
PjPj, pj^i, and PjPg, it follows from the equality and
parallelism of the opposite sides of parallelograms that
the line p^P^ will complete the parallelogram p^^, and
that the six sets of displacements thus laid down, by
which P^ may be reached, are the displacements A, B,
G taken in all possible orders. And the same con-
struction may be made whatever the number of dis-
placements.
Hence, if any number of successive displacements of a
moving point, in any directions whatever, be represented
by 71 — 1 of the sides of a polygon, taken the same way
round, the resultant displacement, will be represented by
the n*^ side taken the opposite way round.
44 KINEMATICS. [ 77
77. It follows from the last proposition that a given
displacement may be resolved into any number of succes-
sive displacements, provided these displacements can be
represented by w— 1 of the sides of a polygon, taken
the same way round, by the to*'' side of which, taken the
opposite way round, the given displacement is represented.
In the special case in which the successive displacements
have directions parallel to the given displacement, it is
clear that their algebraic sum must be equal to the given
displacement.
78. Composition of Simultaneous Displacements. — A
point undergoes simultaneously, given displacements
relative to the same point; it is required to deter-
mine the resultant displacement. Simultaneous dis-
placements of a point are usually called com,ponent
displacements.
Let A, B, C, etc., be the component displacements, and
let each of them (77) be resolved into ii equal successive
displacements in its own direction. The magnitudes of
these displacements will be A/n, B/n, C/n, etc., respec-
tively. Then (76) the same final position will be reached
whether the point undergo successively the displacements
A, B, C, etc., or undergo, n times, the successive displace-
merits A/n, B/n, Gjn, etc. But if n is indefinitely great
and therefore A/n, etc., indefinitely small, the successive
occurrence of the displacements A/n, B/n, C/n, etc., n times,
is the same as the simultaneous occurrence of the dis-
placements A,B, C, etc. Hence the same final position
is reached when A, B, C, etc., occur simultaneously as
when they occur successively. Consequently the pro-
positions established in 76 for successive displacements
apply also to simultaneous or component displace-
ments. These propositions when formulated for simul-
taneous displacements are usually called the triangle,
the parallelogram, and the polygon, of displace-
Tnents.
81] TRANSLATION: DISPLACEMENTS. 45
79. Resolution of Displacements. — A displacement and
two straight lines being given, to find two displacements
parallel to these lines, of which the given displacement
is the resultant. — Let OA be the
given displacement, B and the /
given lines. From and A /
draw lines parallel to B and '
G respectively, meeting in D.
Then, by 78, the displacement ^
OA is the resultant of the com-
ponent displacements OD and DA, and these displacements
are parallel to the given lines,
80. When the components, in given directions, of a
given displacement ai"e thus determiiaed, the given dis-
placement is said to be resolved into components in those
directions.
Displacements are frequently resolved in directions
which are at right angles to one another, in which case
the components are called rectangular components.
When we speak of the component of a displacement
in a given direction, we mean its rectangular com-
ponent in that direction. It is clear that the rectangular
component of a displacement in any direction is the
(orthogonal) projection of the displacement on any
straight line in that direction.
81. The component (rectangular) of a given displacement
in a plane parallel to any given plane may also be found.
OA being the given displacement, draw from
A a line AP perpendicplar to the given plane,
and from a line OP perpendicular to AP
and meeting it in P. OP is a rectangular
component of OA, and it is in a plane
parallel to the given plane. It is clearly
equal to the projection (orthogonal) of OA
on the given plane.
46
KINEMATICS.
[82
82. The components of a given displacement, in three
directions which are not all in the
same plane, may also be found. — Let
OA be the given displacement, and
OB, 00, OD lines having the given
directions. From A draw AE parallel
to OB and meeting the plane of OB
and 00 in E. Join OE, and through
E draw ^i^ parallel to 0(7 and meeting
OB in F. Then (78) OE and EA are
components of OA; and OF and FE
are components of OE. Hence OF, FE, and EA are
components of OA ; and they are in the given directions.
The special case, in which each of the three directions
OB, 00, OD is at right angles to the plane of the other
two, is of great importance. In this case the components
are adjacent edges of a rectangular parallelopiped of
which OA is the diagonal through their intersection.
Fig.l
83. The resultant of two given displacements is equal
to the algebraic sum of their components in its direction.
^ Let OA, AB be the given dis-
placements and OB therefore the
resultant displacement. From
A draw AG perpendicular to
OB. Then 00 and CB are the
components in the direction of
OB, of OA and AB respectively.
In Fig. 1, [the components OC
and CB have the same direction,
B and we have also 0B= 00+ OB.
In Fig. 2, OG and GB have oppo-
site directions, and we have also
OB = GB—0G. Hence the displacement OB is equal
to the algebraic sum of the components OG and GB,
in the direction of OB, of the displacements OA and
AB.
Pg.2
S5]
TRANSLATION :
-DISPLACEMENTS.
47
84. The component in a given direction, of the result-
ant of any number of displacements in any directions
whatever, is equal to the algebraic sum of their compon-
ents in the same direction. Let OA, AB, BC, GD, DE
represent the given displacements. Then (78) OE repre-
sents their resultant. Now the projection of OE on any
line MP is equal (8) to the algebraic sum of the projections
of OA, AB, BC, GD, DE. Hence (80) the above proposi-
tion is proved.
The proposition of 83 is clearly a special case of the
above proposition.
85. Trigonometrical Expression fat the Resultant. —
The magnitude and inclination of component displace-
ments being giyen, to find expressions for the magnitude
and direction of the resultant.
First, when there are two given components. — Let A
and B be the two components, their magnitudes being d^
and c?jj, and their inclination 6. 6 may be an acute angle
(Fig. 1) or an obtuse angle (Fig 2). Let P, be the initial
position of the point. Draw P\P^ and P^P^ equal to and
codirectional with A and B. Then (78) P^P^ is the
resultant. Produce P^P^ to 0. Then OP^P^ is the
angle 6. From P, draw P^Q perpendicular to Pfi.
48
KINEMATICS.
[85
To determine the magnitude of the resultant, we have
from Geometry
(Fig. 1) P,P,^ = P,P,^+P,P,^ + 2P,P, . P,Q.
(Fig. 2) P^P,^ = P,P,''+P,P,^-2P^P^.P,Q.
Now in Fig. 1
P,Q = P,P,coBe,
and in Fig. 2
P^Q = PJ'.cos (tt - 0) = - PJP.cos d.
Hence in both cases
p^p^^ = p,Pi + p^i + 2P,p, . p,P3cos e,
and, writing R for PJP^ and d^, d^ for the components,
R^ = d^^+d,^+2d,d,cose.
To determine the direction of the resultant, we may
find its inclination to one or other of the components,
either the angle P^ which we may call a, or the angle
P^P^P^ which we may call j8. For this purpose we have,
from Trigonometry,
sinP,:sinP,P,P3 = P,P3: P.P^.
Now in both the above cases the angle P^PJP^ is equal
to (tt — 0). Hence
sin a : sin = (Zj : P,
and
d^ ■ a
sm a = ^ sin d.
It
86] TRANSLATION: DISPLACEMENTS. 49
Similarly sin |8 = ^ sin 0.
It
It follows that the displacement R has in the directions
inclined a and /3 to its direction respectively, components
whose magnitudes are
di = iisinj8/sin(a+/3),
d^ = R sin a/sin (a + ^).
86. Of these general results, the following are import-
ant special cases.*
Case I. — The displacements equal. Let both be called cl.
Then R^ = 2^2(1 + cos 0) = Wco&\6l2).
Hence R = 2d cos (0/2).
Air,« „: d . n cZsin0 . d
Also sma = -5sme = jrT- ^^ = sm^.
it 2(t cos (0/2) 2
Hence a = 0/2. Similarly ^8 = 0/2.
f7asei/. — The displacements equal and their inclina-
tion 120°. Then, by Case L,
i2 = 2c?cos60° = cZ,
and a = /3 = 60°.
Case III. — The displacements in the same direction,
i.e., = 0. Hence cos = 1.
Therefore 'R^ = d:^+d^+2d^d^,
and R = d^+d.^.
Case IV. — The displacements in opposite directions, i.e.,
= 180°. Hence cos0=-l.
Therefore E" = d^^ + d^ - 2d^d^,
and R = d^ — d^.
Displacements in opposite directions being considered
of opposite sign, Cases III. and IV. may be generalized
* The reader should obtain the results of these special cases directly.
D
50
KINEMATICS.
[86
thus : The resultant of component displacements in the
same straight line is their algebraic sum.
Case V. — The displacements at right angles to one
another, i.e., = 90°. Hence cos 6 = and sin 0= 1.
Therefore R^ = d^ + d^,
and R={d^ + d^^f.
Also sin a = dJR,
and sin ^ = d^jR.
In this case a + /3 = 90°, and therefore sinjQ = cosa.
Hence tan a = djd^. Hence also the component (rect-
angular) of a displacement J2 in a direction inclined at
the angle a to the direction of .R is equal to iicosa.
87. Secondly, when there are more than two given
components. — The magnitudes and directions of three or
more displacements being given, expressions may be
found for the magnitude and direction of the resultant
by finding, first, the resultant of any two, then the re-
sultant of this first resultant with a third, then the
resultant of this second resultant with a fourth, and so
on, until all the component displacements have been
compounded.
88. An important special case of 87 is the composition
of three displacements, the direction of each of which is
perpendicular to the plane of the other two. Let OA,
OB, OG be the three displacements, the angles ,405,
90] TRANSLATION: DISPLACEMENTS. 51
AOG, and BOG being right angles. Complete the rect-
angle AB and draw the diagonal OD. Then OG, being
at right angles to OA and OJ, is also at right angles to
OD: Complete the rectangle GD and join OE. Then
OD is the resultant of OA and OB, and OE that of OD
and OG. OE therefore is the resultant of all three. Now,
by Geometry, OE^^OA^+OB^+OC^. Hence, calling
the resultant R, and the components d^, d^, d^, we have
The direction of OE is known, if either the angles
AOD and DOE {<{,' and x), or two of the angles AOE,
BOE, GOE (a, |8, y) are known. These angles may be
expressed in terms of the magnitudes of the given dis-
placements. For we have
cos ^ = djOD = dj{d^^ + dj")*,
cos X = OD/OE = (rf,2 + d/) Vi2,
cos a = dJR,
cos ^^d^/R,
cos 'Y=djR.
89. It follows that the components d^, d^, dg, into which
a given displacement R may be resolved, in three direc-
tions which are at right angles to one another and are
inclined to the direction of R at the angles a, j8, y, are
d^=Rcosa; d^ = Rcos0; d^=Rcosy.
90. Analytical Expression for the Resultant of any
number of component displacements. Convenient expres-
sions for the magnitude and direction of the resultant of
any number of component displacements, may be obtained
by resolving the given components in rectangular direc-
tions which are the same for all, adding the components
in these directions, and finding the resultant by 86 (V.)
or 88.
52
KINEMATICS.
[90
First, let the given displacements he all in one plane.
— Let dj, d^, cZj, etc., be the given displacements. _ Take
two lines Ox, Oy at right angles to one another in the
plane of d^, d, etc. Let the inclinations of d-^, d^, etc.,
to Ox be Oj, ag, etc. Then the displacements d^ d^, etc.,
have, in the direction of the x axis, components d^cos a^,
djuosa^, etc., and, in the direction of the y axis, com-
ponents djSinoj, d^sina^, etc. Hence, 86 (III.), we have
in the direction of the x axis a resultant displacement
equal to d^cos aj^ + d2Cos a^+ etc., which may be written
2d cos a ; and, in the direction of the y axis, a resultant
displacement equal to djSina^ + d^sma^+ etc., which may
be written Ecisina. Ox and Oy being at right angles,
the resultant of these resultants is, 86 (V.),
B = [(Ed cos af + (Id sin a)^]i.
The inclination 6 of this resultant to the x axis is
determined by the equation
tan 6= (Ed sin a) /(Ed cos a).
In adding together the components of the given dis-
placements in the x and y axes respectively, we have
assumed that the displacements are all in such directions
as to give components in the directions of Ox, Oy respec-
tively. If the directions of any are such as to give
components in the directions xO or yO respectively,
they must be (86, IV.) considered as negative in deter-
mining the resultant displacements in these axes. Thus
Ed cos a, Ed sin a are short expressions for the algebraic
^n TRANSLATION: — DISPLACEMENTS. 53
sums of all components of the form d cos a, d sin a re-
spectively.
_ Secondly, let the given components have any direc-
tions whatever. — Take three rectangular axes, Ox, Oy, Oz,
and let the inclinations of the displacements d^, d^, etc.,
to the X, y, z axes, be a^, ^^, y^, a^, ^^, y^, etc., respectively.
Then the components of d^, d^, etc., in the direction of
the X axis, are d^cos a^, d^cos a^, etc., and their resultant is
Xd cos a. Similarly, the resultant of the component dis-
placements in the y and z axes are J.dcos^, Scicosy
respectively. Hence (88), if R is the magnitude of the
resultant,
Ii={(Xd cos a)H (2d cos /3)2+(2c? cos y)^}*
Also, if the direction cosines of the resultant with reference
to the X, y, z axes, are X, fx, v respectively, we have
X = (ScZ cos a)/i2; fi ^ (Id cos ^)/R; v = (Ed cos y)/R.
91. Exa/mples.
(1) ABGD is a quadrilateral. Show that, if AC is produced to E,
and GE made equal to AG, the resultant of component displace-
ments represented by AC, DB, AD, and BC will be represented
by AE.
(2) ABCD is a parallelogram. E is the middle point of AB.
Find the components, in the directions of ABsioA. AD,oia, displace-
ment which has the direction and half the magnitude of the
resultant of component displacements represented by AC and AD.
Ans. .4^ and AD.
(3) The resultant of two equal displacements of magnitude, d,
and inclined 60°,. is equal to that of a and 2a inclined 120°.
(4) Two component displacements are represented by two chords
of a circle drawn from a point P in its circumference and perpen-
dicular to one another. Show that the resultant is represented by
the diameter through the point.
54 KINEMATICS. 1^^^
(5) POPi and QUQj^ are twtf perpendicular chords of a circle,
whose centre is C. Show that the resultant of four component
displacements represented by OP, OP^, OQ, OQi, has the direction
of OC and twice its magnitude.
(6) The resultant D of two displacements, d^ and d^, is perpen-
dicular to rfj- Fi°d til's resultant of displacements dj2 and c/j,
their inclination being the same as that of d^ and c?2.
Ans. dJ2 in a direction inclined taxr\Dld^ to that of d^,.
(7) A point undergoes two component displacements, 60 ft.
W. 30° S., and 30 ft. N. Find the resultant.
Ans. 51-9... ft. W.
(8) Show that three component displacements whose magnitudes
are 1, 2,, 3, and whose directions are represented by the sides of an
eqviilateral triangle, taken the same way round, have a resultant
whose magnitude is JZ.-
(9) A point undergoes three component displacements, 40, yds.
N. 60° E., 50 yds. S., and 60 yds. W. 30° N. Find the resultant.
Ans. 10 V3 yds. W.
(10) A ship is carried by wind 4 mis. N., by her screw 8 mis.
N. 15° W., and by a current 3 mis. E. 15° N. Find her resultant
displacement in a north-easterly direction.
Ans. 9-4265 mis.
(11) A boat is headed directly across a river flowing fi'om north
to south, and reaches a point from which the starting point is found
to bear N. 30° W., and is known to be at a distance of 400 ft. How
far has the boat been carried by the current, and what distance
would it have made in still water ?
Ans. 346'41... and 200 ft. respectively.
(12) To an observer in a balloon his starting point bears N. 20° E ,
and is depressed 30° below the horizontal plane; while a place
known to be on the same level as the starting point and 10 mis.
from it, is seen to be vertically below him. Find the component .
displacements of the balloon in southerly, westerly, and upward
directions.
Ans. 9"39..., 3"42..., and 5'77... mis. respectively.
92] TEANSLATION: VELOCITIES. 55
92. Velocity. — The mean velocity* of a moving point
during a given time is a quantity whose direction is that
of the displacement produced during the time, and whose
magnitude is the quotient of the magnitude of the dis-
placement by . the time. Thus, if . a point move in the
path A from P^ to P^ in the time t, its displacement in
that time is the straight line P^P^, the direction of its
mean velocity is the direction of JPjP^ and the magnitude
of its mean velocity is P^Pjt.
In general the mean velocity of a point varies with the
interval of time to which it applies. Thus, if in a time t'
the point moves from P^ to P^ the direction of its mean
velocity during t' is that of P-^P^ and the magnitude is
PjPg/t. . In the special case in which a point moves so
that its mean velocity changes neither in magnitude nor
in direction, it is said to move with uniform velocity. In
that case its path must be a straight line. For, wherever
P^ and Pg may be, PJP^ and P^^ must have the same
direction. It must also obviously be moving with uniform
speed.
It will be seen that a point whose speed is uniform has
not necessarily a uniform velocity. The speed is uniform
if
arc PiP2/i = arc PjPs/f.
But the velocity is not uniform, unless the chords PjP.j
and P2P3 have the same direction, and their quotients by
t and if respectively, the same magnitude.
* The term mean velocity is employed by most writers to denote
what we have caUed (42) mean speed.
56 KINEMATICS. [^^
93. The instantavieous velocity at a given instant
(usually called velocity simply) is a quantity whose
magnitude and direction are the limiting magnitude and
direction of the mean velocity between that instant and
another when the interval of time between them is made
indefinitely small.
As bodies are found to require in all cases a finite time
to traverse a finite distance, the instantaneous velocity of
a body has always a finite value.
When the interval of time t (92) is made indefinitely
small, Pg is indefinitely near Py and the chord P^P^
coincides with the arc P^P.^- Hence the direction of the
instantaneous velocity at a given instant is that of the
tangent to the path at the point occupied by the moving
point at that instant ; and its magnitude is equal to the
instantaneous speed (43) of the point at that instant.
Velocity, having both magnitude and direction, is thus,
like displacement, a vector (70).
94. MeasureTnent of Velocity. — The specification of a
velocity involves specification of both magnitude and
direction. The direction may be described , in terms of
the unit of plane angle (21). The magnitude, being the
quotient of a distance by an interval of time, is a quantity
of the same kind as a speed (42), and may therefore be
measured in terms of the unit of speed (45). A unit of
speed is thus also a unit of velocity; and the results
of 47-49 apply to units of velocity as well as to units of
speed.
95. Examples.
(1) A point (see 91, Ex. 7) moves in a straight line from A to B,
60 ft., W. 30° S., in 10 sec, and thence in a straight line to C, 30
ft. N., in 20 sec. Find (a) the mean speed, and (6) the mean
velocity during the whole time.
Ans. (a) 3 ft. per sec; (6) 1"73... ft. per sec, "W.
96] TRANSLATION: VELOCITIES. 57
(2) A point moving •with uniform speed in a circular path passes
from one end of a diameter to the other in 10 sec. The radius
being 30 cm., find (a) the mean speed, (6) the mean velocity, and
(c) the instantaneous velocity at any instant.
Ans. (a) 9'4... cm. per sec; (6) 6 cm. per sec. in the direction of
the given diameter; (c) 9'4... cm. per sec. in the direction of the
tangent at the point occupied by the moving point at the chosen
instant.
(3) A man 6 ft. high is walking at the rate of 4 mis. per hour
directly away from a lamp-post 10 ft. high. Find the magnitude of
the velocity of the extremity of his shadow.
Ans. 10 mis. per hour.
96. Change of the Point of Reference. — Velocity, being
defined in terms of displacement, can be specified only by
reference to some chosen point, which point of reference
it is frequently desirable to change.
Since the direction and magnitude of a velocity are
the direction and magnitude of a displacement, viz.,
either one which actually occurs in a unit of time, or
one which would occur in that time were the velocity
not variable, the propositions established in 71-74 for
displacements apply also to velocities. Hence,
(1) The velocity of one point relative to another is
equal and opposite to the velocity of the second relative
to the first.
(2) If two sides of a triangle, taken the same way
round, represent the velocities of P relative to Q, and
of Q relative to respectively, the third side, taken
the opposite way round, will represent the velocity of
P relative to 0.
(3) If two sides of a triangle, taken the same way
round, represent, the first the velocity of P relative to
0, and the second a velocity equal and opposite to that
58 KINEMATICS. [96
of Q relative to 0, the third side, taken the opposite way
round, will represent the velocity of P relative to Q.
In the special cg,se in which the velocities of P and Q
relative to have the same direction, the velocity of P
relative to Q will be equal to the difference of those of
P relative to and of Q relative to 0.
97. Examples.
(1) A. is moving with velocity F in a north-easterly direction, B
with an equal velocity in a direction 15° east of south. Show that
A'a velocity relative to B has a magnitude V iJZ and is in a direc-
tion N. 15° E.
(2) Two points are moving with equal uniforni speed % the one
in a circle of radius r, the other in a tangent to the circle. Both
start at the same instant in the same direction from the point of
contact of their paths. Find their relative velocity after t units
of time.
vt
Ana. 2« sin — , in a direction inclined to the tangent at an angle
K--?)-
(3) One railway train is running at 20 mis, per hour in a northerly
direction. Another running at half the speed appears to a passenger
in the former to be Tunning at 25 mla. per hour. Find the direction
of the velocity of the latter,
Ans. 71° 47' -4 W. or E. of N".
(4) To a person travelling at 8 mis. an hour along a road tending
west, the wind appeared to come from the N.W. On his standing
still, it seemed to shift 5° to the north. Find its velocity.
Ans. 64-905 mis. per hour S. 40° E.
(5) A man walks at the rate of 4 mis. per hour in a shower of
rain. If the drops fall vertically with a speed of 200 ft. per sec. in
what direction will they seem to him to fall ?
Ans. Jin a direction inclined 1° 40' "8... to the vertical.
99 ] TEANSLATIOX : VELOCITIES. 5 9
(6) Two candles, A and B, each 1 ft. long and requiring 4 and 6
hours respectively to burn out, stand vertically at a distance of 1
ft. The shadow of B falls on a vertical wall at a distance of 10 ft.
from B. Find the speed of the end of the shadow.
Ans. 8 inches per hour.
(7) Two equal circles touch each other. Two moving points start in
opposite directions from the point of contact and move on the circles
with equal uniform speeds. Prove that the path of each, relative
to the other, will he a circle whose radius is equal to the dianieter
of either of the first circles.
98. Composition of Velocities. — A point has two or
more component velocities ; it is required to find its
resultant velocity.
As in 96, it may be shown that the propositions proved
in 78 to be applicable to displacements are applicable
also to velocities. Hence
(1) If two sides of a triangle, taken the same way
round, represent two component velocities, the third side,
taken the opposite way round, will represent the resul-
tant velocity. This proposition is known as the triangle
of velocities.
(2) If two component velocities be represented by two
adjacent sides of a parallelogram taken opposite ways
round; the diagonal of the parallelogram through their
point of intersection will represent their resultant. This
proposition is known as the parallelogram of velocities.
(3) If any number of component velocities be repre-
sented by n — 1 of the sides of a polygon, taken
the same way round, their resultant will be represented
by the n*^^ side, taken the opposite way round. This
proposition is known as the polygon of velocities.
99. Resolution of Velocities. — It follows also that
velocities may be resolved into components in the same
manner as displacements (see 79-84).
60 KINEMATICS. [100
100. From the above propositions (98) there may be
deduced trigonometrical and analytical expressions for
the magnitude and direction of a resultant velocity in
terms of the magnitudes and inclinations of the compon-
ents, just as in the case of displacements. All the formulae
of 85-90 hold if we take d^ and d^ to represent component
velocities and R to represent the resultant velocity.
101. In the important case in which the position of a
moving point is specified by reference to fixed rectangular
axes, Ox, Oy, Oz, the components of the instantaneous
velocity of the moving point in the directions of the x, y,
and z axes are (93) equal to the rates of change of the
X, y, and z co-ordinates. Thej' are thus denoted by x, y, z.
102. Examples.
(1) A point has three component velocities, A, B, and C in one
plane. Their magnitudes are 4, 5, and 6 respectively, and their
directions are such that A is inclined 30° to B, and C 60° to B and
90° to A . Find (a) the resultant of A -and B, (b) the resultant of
all three, and (c) the component of the resultant in the direction
oiB.
Ans. (a) (41 + 20^3)*, inclined to A at sin-' _^|^ ■ (6)
(107 + 20V3)* inclined to C at tan-i?J^^ ; (e) 8 + 2 ^3.
(2) A boat's crew row 3^ mis. down a river and back again in
1 hour 40 min. If the river have a current of 2 mis. per hour, find
the rate at which the crew would row in still water.
Ans. 5 mis. per hour.
(3) A river 1 ml. broad is running at the rate of 4 mis. per hour ;
and a steamer which can make 8 mis. per hour in still water is to go
straight across. In what direction must she be steei ed ?
Ans. At an angle of 60° to the river bank.
(4) A ship has a north-easterly velocity of 12 knots an hour.
103] TEjUs^SLATION : VELOCITIES. 61
Find the magnitude of her velocity (a) in an easterly direction,
(6) in a direction 15° "W. of N.
Ans. (o) 6 V2, and (6) 6, knots per hour.
(5) Trom a ship steaming east at 10 mis. an hour a shot is to be
fired so as to strike an object which bears N.E. If the gun,
properly elevated, can give the shot a mean horizontal velocity of 88
ft. per sec, towards what point of the compass must it be directed ?
Ana. N. 38° 13''9... E.
103. Moment of a Velocity. — The moment of the
velocity of a moving point about a given fixed point
(24) is the product of the magnitude of the velocity into
the perpendicular from the given point on a line through
the position of the moving point at the instant under
consideration, and in the direction of its motion. — Let P
be the position of the moving point at the instant under
consideration, A that of the fixed
point. Let PC be the direction of
the velocity, and v its magnitude.
Let p be the length of the perpen-
dicular AB from A on PC. Then
the moment of v about A is pv. If
PC represents the velocity in mag-
nitude as well as direction, the magnitude of the moment
of the velocity is evidently represented by twice the area
of the triangle PAC.
If the moving point have a velocity represented by CP
instead of PC, the moment of its velocity about A will be
of the same magnitude. To distinguish between the
equal moments of velocities represented by PC and by
CP, they are considered to be of opposite sign. If the
motion of the moving point is such that the radius vector
AP moves counter-clockwise (i.e., in the opposite direc-
tion to that of the hands of a clock), the moment of its
velocity is considered to be positive. If its motion is
such that the radius vector moves clockwise, the moment
62 KINEMATICS. [103
of its velocity is considered to be negative. Thus the
moment of the velocity PC is —fv; that of the velocity
GP would be ■\-pv.
104. The moment of the velocity of a moving point
about a given line or axis, iixed in space (24), is the
moment of the component of the velocity
in a plane perpendicular to the given line
about the point of intersection of that
plane with the given line. If P is the
position of the moving point at the instant
under consideration, V its velocity, OA
the given line, v the component of F in a
plane perpendicular to OA, A the inter-
section of OA with that plane, and AB (length =p) the
perpendicular from A on v, the moment of V about OA
is the product pv. The same convention of signs is em-
ployed as in 103.
105. The algebraic sum of the moments of two com-
ponent velocities about any point in their plane is equal
to the moment of their resultant about the same point. —
Let OA, OB be two component velocities whose resultant
is 00, and P any point in their plane, either (Fig. 1)
outside or (Fig. 2) inside the angle between the resultant
and either of the components. Then, by a familiar
geometrical proposition,* the sum of the triangles OAP
* If a point P be tal^en in the plane of a parallelogram OACBi
and lines drawn from it to the angular points, the area of the
triangle OCP is equal to the sum or the difference of the areas of
the triangles OAP, OBP, according as these triangles are on the
same side or on opposite sides of OP. For
area 0/'C=area OJC+area .4i'C±area OAP;
and, since the base OB of the triangle OBP is equal and parallel to
the base ^0 of the triangles OAC and APC, and the altitude of
UBP equal to the sum of the altitudes of OA C and A PC,
area OBP =axea, 0.4 C+ area APC.
Hence, area OPC= area 05/" ± area O.-l/'.
106]
TRANSLATION ;
-VELOCITIES.
63
and OBP in Fig. 1, and their difference in Fig. 2, is equal
to the triangle OPC. But these triangles are propor-
tional to the moments of the velocities OA, OB, OC
Fig.l
Frg.2
respectively. And these moments have, in the case of
Fig. 1, the same sign, and in that of Fig. 2, opposite signs.
Hence the algebraic sum of the moments of OA and OB
is equal to the moment of 00.
The cases in which the point P is on the line OA or
the line OC may be left to the reader. In the former, the
moment of the one component is zero, and that of the
other is equal to the moment of the resultant. In
the latter, the moment of the resultant is zero, and the
moment of the one component is equal and opposite to
that of the other.
This proposition may obviously be extended to any
number of component velocities in one plane.
106. If the position of the moving point P is specified
by reference to fixed rectangular
axes. Ox, Oy, in the same plane
with P's velocity, its co-ordinates "
being x, y, its component velocities
in the directions of the axes are
« and y respectively, and their
distances from 0, y and x re-
spectively. Hence the moments ^
of the components about are
(103) —xy and +yx respectively.
P\^ *-x
The moment of V
64
KINEMATICS.
[106
(the velocity of P) about is therefore (105) yx-xy.
If V is not in the xy plane, yx — xy is obviously equal to
its moment about the axis of z.
107. The algebraic sum of the moments of any number
of component velocities about any fixed axis is equal to
the moment of their resultant about the same axis. — Let
the component velocities of the point P be represented
by PA, A B, BC, and its resultant
velocity therefore by PG. — Let a,
h, c be the feet of perpendiculars
from A, B,G on the plane through
P perpendicular to the given fixed
axis OQ. Then Pa, ah, he, Pc are
the components of PA, AB, BC,
PG in this plane. Since Pa, ah,
he are in a plane perpendicular to
the axis, the moment of Pc about
the axis is (105) equal to the
algebraic sum of the moments of
Pa, ah, and he. And since Pa,
ah, he, Pe are the components, in
the aforementioned plane, oSPA,
AB, BG, PG respectively, the
moments of the former about the given axis are equal
respectively (104) to the moments of the latter. Hence the
moment of PG about the given axis is equal to the alge-
braic sum of the moments' of PA, AB, and BG.
108. Exam.'ples.
(1) AB is a diameter of a circle of which BC is a chord. When
is the moment about it of a velocity represented by BC the
greatest ?
Ans. When angle ABC =45°.
(2) A moving point P has two component velocities, one of which
is double the other. The moment of the smaller about a point
109]
TEANSLATION : VELOCITIES.
65
in their plane is double that of the greater. Find the magnitude
and direction of the resultant.
Ans. If a and ^ are the inclinations of the greater and smaller
components respectively to FO, the resultant is v/5 + 4 cos (/3 - a)
times the smaller component, and is inclined to FO at the angle
. _i 2sina + sin|8
sin-i— — -!i —
\'5+4cos(|8-a)"
(3) If the component velocities of a moving point can be irepre-
sented by the sides of a plane polygon, taken the same way round,
the algebraic sum of their moments about any point in their plane
is zero.
(4) Show that, if the algebraic sums of the moments of the
component velocities of a moving point about two points F and Q
be each zero, the algebraic sum of their moments about any point
in the line PQ will also be zero.
109. Change of Velocity. — The velocity of a moving
point in general changes from instant to instant both in
magnitude and in direction. Let P^P^P^ be the path of
a point, and let V^ whieh touches the path at P^, repre-
sent the velocity of the point at Pj and let V^, F,
E
6 6 KINEMATICS. [ ^09
similarly represent the velocities of the point at Pg and
Pj respectively.
The change in the point's velocity, which has occurred
in the time occupied by the point in moving from P-^ to
Pg. is that velocity which must be compounded with the
initial velocity V^ to produce the final velocity Fj.
Take any point ; from it draw OQ^ and OQ^, equal to
and codirectional with F, and Fj. Join QjQi- Then
(98) the final velocity OQ2 is the resultant of the two
components OQ^, the initial velocity, and Q-^Q^- Hence,
Q1Q2 represents the change of velocity which the point
has experienced between P^ and Pg.
The change of velocity must be carefully distinguished
from the change of speed. The change of speed in the
above figure is Fg— F, and is represented by OQ^—OQ^.
110. Acceleration. — The integral acceleration during
a given time is the change of velocity undergone by the
moving point during that time.
The mean acceleration during any time is a quantity
whose magnitude is the quotient of the integral accelera-
tion by the time, and whose direction is that of the
integral acceleration. Thus, if t units of time are
occupied by the point in moving from Pj to Pg (109),
the mean acceleration during that time is in the direc-
tion of Q1Q2 and of the magnitude Q-Ji^l^. If t+tf
units of time are occupied in moving from Pj to P3, and
if OQ3 is drawn equal to F^ and in the same direction,
then the mean acceleration during these t+if units of
time is in the direction Q^Q^ and of the magnitude
Q^QJ(t+t')-
Thus the mean acceleration of a point varies in general
both in magnitude and direction with the interval of
time to which it applies. In the special case in which
it varies neither in magnitude nor in direction, the point
is said to move with uniform acceleration.
112] TRANSLATION: ACCELERATIONS. 67
_ The instantaneous acceleration of a moving point at a
given instant (called usually the acceleration simply) is
a quantity whose magnitude and direction are the limit-
ing magnitude and direction of the mean acceleration
between that instant and another when the interval of.
time between them is made indefinitely small. As (295)
in the case of a body a finite time is requii-ed for a finite
change of velocity, the instantaneous acceleration of a
body can never have an infinite value.
If the point is moving with uniform acceleration, the
instantaneous acceleration at any instant has clearly the
same magnitude and direction as the mean acceleration
for any interval.
Acceleration, having both magnitude and direction, is
a vector (70), like displacement and velocity.
111. Measurement of Acceleration. — The specification
of an acceleration involves specification both of its mag-
nitude and of its direction. Its direction may be described
in terms of the uiiit of angle (21). Its magnitude being
the quotientof the magnitude of a certain velocity by an
interval of time, is a quantity of the same kind as a rate
of change of speed (52), and may therefore be measured
in terms of the unit of rate of change of speed (56). This
unit is thus called also the unit of acceleration ; and the
results of 57, 58 hold for units of acceleration.
112. Examples.
(1) The initial and final velocities of a moving point during an
interval of 2 hours are 8 mis. per hour E. 30° N., and 4 mis. per
hour N. Find (a) the integral, and (6) the mean acceleration.
Ans. (a) 4^/3 mis. per hour W. ; (6) 2^3 mis.-per-hour per
hour W.
(2) A point moves in a horizontal circle with uniform speed v,
starting from the north point and moving eastwards. Find the
68 KINEMATICS. [112
integral acceleration when it lias moved through (a) a quadrant,
(6) a semicircle, (c) three quadrants.
Ans. (a) V ^2, S. W. ; (6) 2v, W. ; (c) v ^2, N.W.
(3) The- velocity v oi a point moving in a straight line being
supposed to vary as the square root of its distance s from a fixed
point in the line, show that its instantaneous acceleration in any
position is equal to v^l2s.
(4) The velocity of a point moving in a straight line varies as
the square root of the product of its distances from two fixed points
in the line, show that its instantaneous acceleration varies as the
mean of its distances from the fixed points.
113. The Hodograph. — The variation of the velocity of
a moving particle from one position to another of its
path may be studied by means of an auxiliary curve,
called the hodograph of the path.
The velocity of a particle must have (295) indefinitely
nearly the same magnitude and direction at points of its
path which are indefinitely near. If therefore (109) the
angle between OQ^ and OQ2 is indefinitely small, the
length of OQ^ must be indefinitely nearly equal to that
of OQ2. Hence the locus of the end Q of the line OQ,
which represents the velocity of the moving particle P in
its successive positions, must be a curve of continuous
curvature. This curve is called the hodograph of the
path. The point is called the pole of the hodograph.
The hodograph has two important properties which
may be proved as follows : — The straight line QjQ^ re-
presents in magnitude and direction the integral accele-
ration during the time t occupied by P in moving from
Pj to P2, and QjQJt represents the magnitude of the
mean acceleration during the same time. When Pj is
taken indefinitely near P^, the direction of Q^Q^ is the
direction, and the magnitude of Q^QJ-r is the magnitude,
of the acceleration of P at the instant at which it is at
11^] TRANSLATION: ACCELERATIONS. 69
Pi- But when Pg is taken indefinitely near P^, and
therefore Q^ indefinitely near Q^, the direction of Q^Q^
is that of the tangent to the hodograph at Q^, and the
ma,gnitude of Q^QJt is that of the velocity at Q^ of the
point Q in the hodograph. Hence (1) the direction of
the acceleration of the moving point P at the instant at
which it occupies a given position in its path is that
of the tangent to the hodograph at the corresponding
position of Q, and (2) the magnitude of the acceleration
of P at the instant at which it occupies a given position
in its path is equal to the magnitude of the velocity of Q
at the corresponding position in the hodograph.
114. Examples.
(1) Show that the hodograph of a point moving with uniform
speed in a straight path reduces to a point.
(2) A point moves with uniform acceleration, either in a straight
or in a curved path. Show that the hodograph of the path is a
straight line, and that the point in the hodograph moves with
uniform speed.
(3) The hodograph of a point which moves with uniform speed
in a circle, is a circle, in which the corresponding point moves also
with uniform speed.
(4) If a point move in either a parabola, an ellipse, or an hyper-
bola, so that the moment of its velocity about a focus is constant,
the hodograph is a circle. [Note that the locus of the foot of the
perpendicular from a focus on a tangent is a circle in the case of
either the ellipse or the hyperbola, and in the case of the parabola
a straight Une. Note also that the locus of the foot of the perpen-
dicular from the vertex of a parabola on a straight line drawn
through the focus is a circle.]
(5) The hodograph of a point moving in an ellipse so that the
moment of its velocity about the centre is constant, is a similar
ellipse. [Note that the area of the parallelogram formed by
drawing tangents to an ellipse at the extremities of a pair of con-
jugate diameters is constant.]
70
KINEMATICS.
[115
115. Change of the Point of Reference. — Acceleration
being simply the velocity which must be compounded
with the velocity of a moving point at a given instant,
to produce the velocity which it either has after unit of
time, or would have if the acceleration were uniform, the
propositions (96) dealing with the change of the point of
reference in the case of velocities, apply also in the case
of accelerations.
116. Com/position and Resolution of Accelerations. —
Similarly the laws of the composition of velocities (98)
may be shown to be those according to which accelera-
tions also are compounded. We have thus propositions
called the triangle, the parallelogram, and the polygon
of accelerations identical in form with the corresponding
propositions for velocities. Hence also accelerations may
be resolved after the same manner as velocities (99) ; and
the formulae of 85-90 hold, if c?j, d^, etc., and R denote
component and resultant accelerations.
117. The component of an acceleration in any direction
is equal to the rate of change of the component in that
direction of the velocity. — Let
OP and OQ be the initial and
final velocities of a moving point
*Q during a given time. Then PQ is
the integral acceleration. Draw-
ing OR, QT at right angles to any
line PR, we have PT=RP-Bt.
If then T be the time,
PT/r=(RP-RT}/T.
Now PT, RP, and RT are the components in the line
PR of PQ, OP, and OQ respectively. If r is indefinitely
short, PT/t is thus the component of the instantaneous
acceleration in the direction PR, and {RP — RT)/t is the
instantaneous rate of change of the component velocity
in the same direction.
119] TRANSLATION: ACCELEEATIONS. 71
118. If the position of a moving point be specified by
reference to rectangular axes Ox, Oy, Oz, its component
accelerations in their directions will therefore be equal
to the rates of change of its component velocities in
their directions, namely of x, y, 'z respectively. They
are therefore (55) x, y, z.
119. Examples.
(1) A ball is let fall in an elevator which is rising with an
acceleration of 7 2 kilometres per min. The acceleration of the
falling ball relative to the earth is 981 cm.-sec. units. Find its
acceleration relative to the elevator.
Ans. 1,181 cm.-sec. units towards the floor.
(2) Two railway trains are moving in directions inclined 60°.
The one A is increasing its speed at the rate of 4 ft.-per-min. per
min. The other B has the brakes on and is losing speed at the rate
of 8 ft.-per-min. per min. Find the relative acceleration.
Ans. 4^/7 ft.-min. units inclined sin-^W^^ to the direction of
TT /3
motion of A, and S ~sii^~^\/i7 *° ^^^ of B.
(3) The locus of the extremity of the straight line representing
either of the two equal components of a given acceleration, is a
straight line perpendicular to the straight line representing the
given acceleration and through its middle point.
(4) A buUet is fired in a direction towards a second bullet which
is let fall at the same instant. Prove that the line joining them
will move parallel to itself and that the bullets will meet.
(5) Find the resultant of four component accelerations, represented
by lines drawn from any point P within a parallelogram to the
angular points.
Ans. If C is the point of intersection of the diagonals, PG repre-
sents the direction of the resultant, and 4PC its magnitude.
(6) The resultant of two accelerations a and a' at right angles
72 KINEMATICS. ^19
to one another is R If a be increased by 9 units and a' by 5,
the magnitude of R becomes increased to three times its former
value, and its direction becomes inclined to a at the angle of its
former inclination to a'. Find a, a', and R.
Ans. 3, 4, arid 5 units respectively.
120. Tangential and Normal Acceleration.— An im-
portant special case of the resolution of accelerations is
the resolution of the acceleration of a point moving in
a plane curve, into components in and normal to the
direction of motion at any instant.^ — Let P, Q be points
on the path, and PA, QB tangents
to the path at P, Q respectively.
Let OA, GB represent the velocities
of the moving point at P and Q
respectively. From GB cut off
CD equal to CA. If the point Q
be made to approach P, the angle
BCA becomes ultimately zero, and the angles GDA and
GAD therefore ultimately right angles. Now AB
represents the integral acceleration between P and Q,
and it may be resolved into AD and DB as components.
Hence ultimately AD and DB, divided by the time, re-
present the normal and tangential components of the
instantaneous acceleration at P.
Since CD was made equal to GA, DB is the change of
speed. Hence ultimately, when P and Q coincide, DB
divided by the time is the rate of change of the speed of
the moving point. Hence the tangential component
of the acceleration of a moving point is equal to the rate
of change of speed.
From P, Q draw PO, QO, normals to the path at those
points, and let them meet in 0. Then the angle QGA is
equal to the angle QOP. Calling these angles d, the
velocity at P, V, and the component integral accelera-
tion AD, V, we have
v = 2 Fsin (0/2) = Fsin 0/cos (6/2).
121] TKANSLATION: ^ACCELERATIONS. 73
If a is the component in the direction AD of the mean
acceleration between P and Q, and t the time of motion
from P to Q, we have thus
_■?;_„ sin 1
Now ultimately the time of motion from P to Q may be
put equal to PQ/V. Hence, calling PQ, s, we have
a-Y2 sing 1
cos(0/:J) ■ s'
Also ultimately PQ may be considered an arc of a circle,
and PO, QO become equal to one another and to the
radius of curvature (p) of the path at P, in which case
s=p6. Hence
„a sing 1_
cos (0/2) ■ pff
Also, 6 being indefinitely small,
sin 0/0 = cos (0/2) = 1.
Hence a=V^/p.
Now a, being the mean acceleration in the direction AD,
becomes ultimately the instantaneous acceleration normal
to the path at P. Hence the normal component of the
acceleration of a point moving in a curved path is the
product of the square of its velocity into the curvature of
its path.
121. If the path be a circle, the radius of curvature
is the radius of the circle. Also a normal to the circle
through any point passes through the centre. Hence
the acceleration of a point moving with uniform speed
in a circle is directed towards the centre, and is equal to
the quotient of the square of the speed by the radius.
(The reader should prove this special case directly.
Thomson and Tait ("Elements," § 36) prove it by
means of the hodograph.)
74 KINEMATICS. [ 121
If T be the time of a complete revolution (the periodic
time) of the point in the circle, and if V be the uniform
speed and R the radius, F= ^ttRIT. Hence the accelera-
tion has the magnitude W^RjT^. (See also 131.)
122. ExaTnples.
(1) A circus rider is moving with the uniform speed of a mile in
2 min. 40 sec. round a ring of 100 ft. radius Find liis acceleration
towards the centre.
Ana. 10'89 ft.-sec. units.
(2) Show that a shot fired at the equator with either a westerly-
velocity of 8,370'7 metres per second, or an easterly velocity of
'7,440'5 m. per sec, will, if unresisted, move horizontally round the
earth, completing its circuit in about 1^ or 1^ hours respectively.
[Data : The mean radius of the earth is 6,370,900 metres ; the speed
of a point on the equator 465'1 m. per sec. ; and the acceleration of
a falling body 9'81 m.-sec. units.]
(3) A point moving in a circular path, of radius 8 in., has at a
given position a speed of 4 in. per sec, which is changing at the
rate of 6 in.-per-sec. per sec Find (a) the tangential acceleration ;
(6) the normal acceleration ; (c) the resultant acceleration.
Ans. («) 6 in. -sec. units ; (b) 2 in.-sec units ; (c) 2 iJlO in.-sec.
units, the direction being inclined at tan"' 3 to the normal.
(4) If different points be describing different circles with uniform
speeds and with accelerations proportional to the radii of their
paths, their periodic times will be the same.
123. The moment of an acceleration is defined in
exactly the same way as the moment of a velocity. See
103 and 104. Also the propositions of 105 and 107, being
deductions from the parallelogram law, apply to accelera-
tions as well as to velocities. And it may be shown, as
in 106, that, if the position of a moving point be referred
to rectangular axes of co-ordinates, the moment of its
acceleration about the z axis is equal to yx — xy.
125] TRANSLATION: ANGULAR DISPLACEMENTS. 75
124. The moment of the acceleration of a moving point
about a fixed point in the plane of its motion is equal to
the rate of change of the moment of its velocity about
the same point.
For the final velocity in any time is the resultant of
the initial velocity and the integral acceleration, and
therefore (105) its moment about any point in their plane
is equal to the sum of their moments. Hence the moment
of the integral acceleration is equal to the difference of
the moments of the initial and final velocities; and
therefore, dividing by the time and making it indefinitely
small, the moment of the instantaneous acceleration is
equal to the rate of change of the moment of the velocity.
125. Angular Displacement* of a Point. — The angular
displacement of a moving point about a given point in a
given time, is the angle between
the initial and final positions of
the radius vector from the given
point. Thus, if the point has
moved from P^ to Pj its angular
displacement, relative to 0, is
PyOP,
That an angular displacement ^^
about a given point may be
completely specified, the magnitude of the angle must be
given through which the radius vector has moved, the
direction of the radius vector's motion, and the plane in
which its initial and final positions lie. This plane is
specified if a line normal to it be given; and the direc-
tion of the radius vector's motion is specified if this line
is always so drawn from a point in the plane of the dis-
placement that, on looking along it towards that plane,
* When there is danger of confounding angular displacements
with the displacements considered in 69, the latter are called linear
displacements.
76 KINEMATICS. [123
the radius vector is seen to move counter-clockwise, i.e.,
in a direction opposite to that of the hands of a clock.
An angular displacement about a point may therefore be
completely represented by a line normal to the plane of
the displacement, whose direction is determined^ by the
above convention, and whose length is proportional to
the magnitude of the angular displacement. By the
direction of an angular displacement is meant the direc-
tion of this line.
126. The angular displacement in a given time of a
moving point about a given line or axis, is the inclination
of perpendiculars from the initial and final positions of
the moving point on the axis. Let
OA be the given axis, P and Q the
initial and final positions of the
moving point, and PR and QS
perpendiculars to OA. Then the in-
clination of PR to QS is the angular
displacement about OA. Complete
the rectangle RQ by the lines Rq, Qq. Then (8), since
Rq is parallel to 8Q, PRq is the angular displacement.
Since the plane of PqR is perpendicular to OA, and
Qq being parallel to R8 is perpendicular to that plane,
Pq is the projection of PQ on that plane. Hence the
angular displacement is the angle subtended by the pro-
jection of the linear displacement on a plane perpen-
dicular to the axis, at the point of intersection of the axis
with that plane.
127. Angular Velocity of a Point* — The mean
angular velocity of a moving point about a given point,
during a given time, is a quantity whose direction is
that of the angular displacement during the time, and
* When there is danger of confounding the velocity of 92 with
angular velocity, the former is called linear velocity.
129] TRANSLATION: ANGULAR VELOCITY. 77
whose magnitude is the quotient of the angular displace-
ment by the time.
The mean angular velocity varies in general with the
time. In eases in which it does not, the angular velocity
is said to be uniform.
If the motion of the moving point is confined to a
plane, its angular velocity must have one of two opposite
directions. In other words, it can vary only as to mag-
nitude and sign.
The instantaneous angular velocity of a point at a
given instant has a magnitude and a direction, which
are the limiting magnitude and direction of the mean
angular velocity between that instant and another, when
the interval of time between them is made indefinitely
small.
The mean and instantaneous angular velocities about
a given axis are defined in a manner similar to that in
which they are defined with reference to a given point.
128. Measurement of Angular Velocity. — The measure
of an angular velocity being the quotient of the measure
of a certain angle by that of a certain time, the most
convenient unit of angular velocity will be unit of angle
per unit of time. The unit of angle which is usually
employed in measuring angular velocities is the radian.
Unit of angular velocity in terms of the radian is one
radian per unit of time.
As the magnitude of the radian is (21) independent of
that of the unit of length, the magnitude of the radian
per unit of time depends only upon that of the unit of
time and is inversely proportional to it.
129. Eelationbetween Angular and Linear Velocity.—
Let the moving point P be displaced from P, to P^ in
the time t with the mean linear velocity v, and the
78 KINEMATICS. [129
mean angular velocity u> about the point 0. Then
w^PfiPJt, and the chord P^P^ = vt. From P-, draw
P^N perpendicular to OPi- Then, if the angle P-^P^N
be called d,
P^N = PjPaSin e = vt sin 0.
Hence sin PfiP^ = vt sin djOP^.
If now Pg ^^ indefinitely near P^, co and v become
instantaneous velocities at Pj, Q becomes the angle
between the radius vector and the direction of the linear
velocity at P^, and sin P^OPj becomes equal to PfiP^.
Hence, if r is the radius vector, &) = ■?; sin 0/r. Hence
the angular velocity of a moving point about a given
point, expressed in radians, is equal to the component of
its linear velocity perpendicular to the radius vector
from the given point, divided by the length of the radius
vector.
130. If the point be moving in a circle, its linear
velocity is at all points perpendicular to the radius
vector from the centre. Hence, if r is the radius and
to the angular velocity about the centre, co = v/r.
1.31. Hence the normal component of the linear accele-
ration of a point moving in a circle, which (121) is equal
to v^jr, is, in terms of angular velocity about the centre,
equal to wV.
132. Moment of Velocity in Terms of Angular Velocity.
— Since P-^PJt (129), when t is small, is the velocity of
136] TEANSLATION: ANGULAE ACCELEKATION. ^79
the moving pointi its moment about is twice the are
of the triangle OP^P^ divided by the time. Hence, if p
be written for the moment,
pv = OP 2 . P^^/t = vr sin Q = wr^.
133. Areal Velocity. — The area swept out by the
radius vector of a moving point per unit of time, is
sometimes called its areal velocity. It follows from 132
that the areal velocity of the point P (129) is represented
by area OP^PJt and ia equal to |cor^.
134. These results (129-133) apply also to angular veloci-
ties about axes, provided v stand for the component linear
velocity in a plane perpendicular to the given axis, and r
for the perpendicular distance of the point from the given
axis.
135. Angular Acceleration of a Point. — We might
define the angular acceleration of a moving point about
a given point, as we did its angular velocity, generally.
We restrict ourselves, however, to the useful case of the
angular acceleration about a given axis. An angular
velocity about a given axis must have one of two opposite
directions, and can vary therefore in magnitude and sign
only. Hence the integral angular acceleration about a
given axis is the diflPerence between the final and initial
values of the angular velocity about that axis ;• the mean
angular acceleration in a given time is equal to the in-
tegral acceleration divided by the time ; and the magni-
tude of the instantaneous angular acceleration at a given
instant is the limiting value of the mean angular accelera-
tion between that instant and another when the interval
of time between them is made indefinitely small, pr in
other words it is the rate of change of angular velocity.
The angular acceleration of a point moving in a plane
about a given point in that plane is an angular accelera-
tion about a given axis.
80 KINEMATICS. [136
136. Measurement of A ngular Acceleration. — The most
convenient unit of angular acceleration is clearly unit of
angular velocity per unit of time, e.g., one radian-per-sec.
per sec. With the radian as unit of angle its dimensions
are [T]-^.
137. Examples.
(1) The earth makes a complete rotation in 86,164 mean solar
seconds. Assume her radius to be 6,370,900 metres, and find (a)
the angular velocity, and (6) the linear velocity of any point on
the equator. -
Ans. (a) radians per sec. ; (6) 465'1 m. per aec.
(2) A wheel of a carriage which is travelling at the rate of 7
mis. per hour is 3 ft. in diameter. Find the angular velocity of
any point of the wheel ahout the axle.
Ans. 6'8... rad.per sec.
(3) Compare the angular velocities of the hour, minute, and
second hands of a watch.
Ans. As 1 : 12 : 720.
(4) Express in terms of the radian per second an angular velocity
of 20° per min.
Ans. 20-94....
(5) A point is moving with uniform speed via a, circle of radius
■/•. Show that its angular velocity about any point in the circum-
ference is »/2n
(6) The angular velocity of a point moving with uniform speed
in a straight line is inversely proportional to the square of the
distance of the point from a fixed point not in the line.
(7) Show that the angular velocity of the earth about the sun
is proportional to the apparent area of the sun's disc. [Datum :
The radius vector from the sun to the earth sweeps over equal
areas in equal times.]
137 ] TRANSLATION : ANGULAR VELOCITY. 8 1
(8) If the velocity of a particle be resolved into several com-
ponents in one plane, its angular velocity about any fixed point in
the plane is the sum of the angular velocities due to the several
components.
(9) A wheel makes 200 revolutions per hour. Express its angular
velocity (a) in radians per sec. ; (6) in degrees per min.
Ans. (a)^; (5)1,200.
(10) Reduce an angular acceleration of 300 radians-per-min. per
min. (a) to revolution-hour units, (6) to degree-second units.
. , , 540,000 ,,, 15
Ans. (a) ; (b) — .
T 7r
(11) A point P moves in a parabola with a constant angular
velocity about the focus S. Show that its linear velocity is pro-
8
portional to iSP^-
82 KINEMATICS. [138
CHAPTER IV.
TEANSLATION :— MOTION UNDER GIVEN
ACCELERATIONS.
138. Unconstrained Motion. — The motion of a point
under given accelerations will depend upon the degree of
its freedom to move (35). We shall take, first, cases of
unconstrained motion, the moving point having all three
degrees of freedom.
Case I. — The Acceleration being Zero. — If there is no
acceleration, there is no change in either the magnitude
or the direction of the velocity. The path is therefore a
straight line, and the magnitude of the velocity is con-
stant. Hence the mean and instantaneous velocities,
and therefore also the mean velocity and mean speed,
have the same values (93 and 43). The results of 61 are
thus at once applicable to this case.
139. Examples.
(1) A point moves with a uniform velocity of 2 cm. per sec.
Find the distance from the starting point at the end of 1 hour.
Ans. 72 metres.
(2) Two trains having equal and opposite velocities, and con-
sisting each of 12 carriages, of 23 ft. length, are observed to take 9
see. to pass one another. Find the magnitude of their velocities.
Ans. 20'91 mis. per hour.
140] TEAKSLATION: FALLING BODIKS. 83
(3) Two points move -with uniform velocities of 8 and 15 ft. per
sec. in straight lines inclined 90°. At a given instant their
distance is 10 ft., and their relative velocity is inclined 30° to the
line joining them. Find (a) their distance when nearest, and (6)
the time after the given instant at which their distance will be
least.
Ans. (a) 5 ft. ; (6) ^ ^3 sec.
140. Case II. — The Acceleration Uniform. — The motion
of a point under a uniform acceleration will be different
according as the point has or has not at any instant a
velocity inclined to the direction of its acceleration.
(a) Rectilinear motion. — If at any instant the velocity
of the moving point is in the same straight line with the
acceleration, the path is a straight line. For (109) OQ,
and Qj^Q^ being in the same straight line, so also are OQ^
and OQ^. Hence the velocity does not vary in direction.
Also, O'Q.Q^ being a straight line, Q,Q,=OQ,- OQ,. If-
then t is the time in which the velocity changes from
OQ, to 0Q„
and t being taken indefinitely small, we find that the
instantaneous acceleration is equal to the rate of change
of the magnitude of the velocity, and therefore (93) to
the rate of change of speed. Hence the results of 63-60
are applicable to this case.
We have a familiar instance of the motion under con-
sideration in the motion of bodies vertically upwards or
downwards through short distances at the surface of the
earth, except in so far as their velocity is modified by
the resistance of the air. For all bodies falling freely
near the surface of the earth are found to have a down-
ward acceleration of about 32-2 ft.-sec. units, or 981
cm.-sec. units. When represented by. a symbol, the
84 KINEMATICS. [1*0
special symbol g* h usually employed to denote this
acceleration.
141. Examples^
(1) A body is projected vertically upwards with a velocity of 300
ft. per sec. Find (a) its velocity after 2 sec. ; (6) its velocity after
15 see. ; (c) the time required for it to reach its greatest height ;
(d) the greatest height reached ; («) its displacement at the end of
15 sec; (/) the space traversed by it {i.e., the length of path
described) in the first 15 sec. ; (g) its displacement when its Velocity
is 200 ft. per sec. upwards ; {h) the time required for it to attain a
displacement of 320 ft. [Note that if the upward direction be
taken as positive, the acceleration in this case is negative.]
Aris. {a) 235"6 ft. per sec. upwards ; (6) 183 ft. per sec. down-
wards; (c) 9-3... sec; {d) 1,397-5 ft.; (e) 877-5 ft. upwards; (/)
1,917-5 ft.; (g) 776-3 ft. upwards; (A) 1-13 sec in ascending, 17-5
sec. in descending.
(2) A ball is projected vertically upwards from a window half
way up a tower 117-72 metres high, with a velocity of 39-24 m. per
sec. After what times and with what speeds does it (a) pass the
top of the tower ascending ; (6) pass the same point descending ;
and (c) reach the foot of the tower ?
Ans. (a) 2 sec, 19-62 m. per sec; (6) 6 sec, 19-62 m. per sec;
(c) (4 + 2 v'7) sec, 19-62 x ^/7 m. per sec
(3) A stone is dropped into a well, and the splash is heard in 3"13
sec Given that sound travels in air with a uniform velocity of 332
metres per sec, find the depth of the well.
Ans. About 44-1 m.
* The value of g at any place near the earth's surface is given
approximately in centimetre-second units by the following formula,
in which \ is the latitude of the place, and h its height above sea-
g = 980-6056 - 2-5028 cos 2X - -OOOOOSA.
t In problems on falling bodies the resistance of the air is not to
be taken into account. When the value of g is not given it is to be
taken as 32 '2 ft.-sec units or 981 cm.-sec. units.
^41] TEANSLATION: FALLING BODIES. 85
(4) Show that a body, projected vertically upwards, requires
twice as long a time to return to its initial position as to reach the
highest point of its path, and has, on returning to its initial position,
a speed equal to its initial speed.
(5) A stone projected vertically upwards returns to its initial
position in 6 sec. Find (a) its height at the end of the first seconc),
and (6) what additional initial speed would have kept it 1 sec.
longer in the air.
Ans. (a) 80-5 ft.; (b) ICl ft. per see.
(6) A body let fall near the surface of a small planet is found to
traverse 204 ft. in the fifth and sixth seconds. Find the accele-
ration.
Ans. 20'4 ft. -sec. units.
(7) A particle describes in the n^ second of its fall from rest a
space equal to p times the space traversed in the (n-l)* second.
Find the whole space described.
Ans. (l-3pyffJiS(l-pYl
(8) A body uniformly accelerated, and starting without initial
velocity, passes over 6 feet in the first p seconds. Find the time of
passing over the next b ft.
Ans. ^( ;^2 — 1 ) sec.
(9) A ball is dropped from the top of an elevator 4'905 metres
high. Find the times in which it will reach the floor, (a) when the
elevator is at rest ; (6) when it is moving with a uniform downward
acceleration of 9-81 m. per sec. ; (c) when moving with a uniform
downward acceleration of 4-905 m. per sec. ; (d) when moving with
a uniform upward acceleration of 4-905 m. per sec.
Ans. (a) 1 sec. ; (6) oo ; (c) ^^2 sec. ; W /y^ g sec.
(10) If «i, «2 a'fe the heights to which a body can be projected
with a given initial vertical velocity at two places on the earth's
surface at which the accelerations of falling bodies are ff^ and ff^
respectively, show that *i5'i=«s,9'2.
(11) A stone A is let fall from the top of a tower 483 ft. high.
86 KINEMATICS., [141
At the same instant another stone B is let fall from a window 161
ft. below the top. How long before A will B reach the ground ?
Ans. (^6-2)^5 sec.
(12) A ball falling from the top of a tower had descended a ft.
when another was let fall at a point h ft. below the top. Show
that if they reach the ground together the height of the tower is
(a + 6)2/4aft.
(13) If two bodies be projected vertically upwards with the same
initial velocity V, at an interval of t sec, prove that they will meet
at a height |(-^-^).
(14) Two stones are falling in the same vertical line. Show that
if one can overtake the other it will do so after the same lapse of
time, even if gravity cease to act.
(15) Bodies are projected vertically downwards from heights li^,
hj, A3, with velocities %, v^, v^ respectively, and they all reach the
ground at the same moment. Show that
(Aj - A2)/(«i - Wj) = (Ag - h^j{V2 - V3) = (A3 - Ai)/(D3 - vj.
(16) Two points move in straight lines with uniform accelerations.
Show that if at any instant their velocities are proportional to their
respective accelerations the path of either relative to the other will
be rectilinear.
(17) Pa,rticles are projected vertically upwards from different
points in a horizontal straight line AX, with velocities respectively
proportional to the distances of the points of projection from A.
Prove that all the particles when at their highest points will be on
a parabola whose vertex is A.
142. (6) Curvilinear motion. — If the moving point has
at any instant a velocity inclined to the direction of its
acceleration, the direction of the velocity must change
with the time, and consequently the path must be
144] TRANSLATION: PEOJEOTILES. 87
a curved line. For if OA is the initial velocity, and
AQ, AQ', the integral accelerations after t and if units of
time respectively, OQ and OQ' are the velocities after
these intervals of time. And since AQ and AQ' have
the same direction, OQ and
OQ' must have different direc-
tions.
Nevertheless the component
acceleration in any given di-
rection being uniform in this
case (140), the formulae of 63-66 apply to curvilinear
as well as to rectilinear motion, provided we restrict
our attention to a component motion in a given
direction.
Curvilinear motion under uniform acceleration is of
interest because it is the motion which projectiles near
the earth's surface would have, if they were not resisted
by the air, and if their accelerations were rigorously, as
they are approximately, the same at all points of their
paths.
143. To find the Velocity after any Time. — The moving
point has after the time t two component velocities, one
the initial velocity V, represented by OA (142), the other
the integral acceleration at (if a is the acceleration),
represented by AQ. If then the inclination of the two
be given, the resultant, represented by OQ, may be found
by 100.
144. To find the Displacement of the Poimt after any
Time. — The moving point will have two component dis-
placements after any time t, one due to the initial velocity
V, the other due to the acceleration a ; the one therefore
having the value Vt, the other the value ^at^. If their
inclination be known, their resultant may be determined
by 85.
KINEMATICS.
[145
145. To find the Displacement in any given Direc-
tion* — Let P be the initial
position of the moving point, PA
the direction of the initial velocity
V, and PB that of the acceleration
a. ("We draw PB vertical because
of the importance of this problem
in the study of projectiles.) Draw
PJV" perpendicular to PB. Let
PA be inclined to PN^ at the
angle O.j It is required to dcr
i' termine the displacement which
the point will reach in the direction of PM, inclined to
PN at the angle a.
The initial velocity has a component Fsin(0 — a)
perpendicular to PM. The acceleration has a component
a cos a perpendicular to PM and opposite in direction to
the above component of the initial velocity. Hence, if t
is the time at the end of which 'the displacement per-
pendicular to PM is zero, we have (64)
t =
2Vsin(0-a)
a cos a
Now the point has in the direction PN a velocity Fcos 6
and no acceleration. Hence in the time t its displacement
in that direction is
2Fsin(0-a)
a cos a
X Fcos 0.
Let PN represent this displacement. Draw NM perpen-
dicular to PN. Then PM is the required displacement
* In gunnery the displacement of a projectile in a given direc-
tion is called its range on a given plane ; the time required to reach
that displacement is called the time of flight.
t In gunnery this angle is called the elevation of the projectile.
148] TRANSLATION: PKOJECTILES. 89
in the direction PM. But PM^PNjcosa. Hence,
denoting PM by R,
P 2F^sin(e-a)cose
Expanding sin (0 — a), adding and subtracting
Vhmal{a cos^a),
and remembering that 2cos^0— l = cos20, we find
^^ F^[sin(2e-a)-sina]
a cos^a
The required displacement is therefore determined in
terms of known quantities.
146. If the given direction be upon the other side of
PN, viz., that of the line PM' (the angle M'PN being
equal to a), we obtain the result
■^ ^ 7^[sin (2g + g) + sin g]
a cos^o
If therefore in this case the inclination of the given
direction to PN be considered negative, so that angle
M'PN= —a, we get the same expression for R as in 145.
147. If 6' is such that 26' -a = 180° - (W - a), we have
sin(2©'-g)=sin(20-g).
Hence R will have the same value, whether the incli-
nation of the initial velocity to PN be 6 or 90°- 0+g.
With a given acceleration and an initial velocity of given
magnitude, there are therefore two directions of initial
velocity, and therefore two paths, by which the point
may attain a given displacement in a given direction.
148. The above expression for R involves V, a, 6 and
a. If V, a, and g are given, 9 is the only variable. The
magnitude of R will therefore depend upon that of 6.
90 KINEMATICS. [148
Now sin (20 — a) has its greatest value when 20 — a = 90°.
Hence, with a given acceleration and an initial velocity
of given magnitude, the displacement in a given direction
has its greatest 'value, viz., 7^(1 — sin a)/(a cos^a), when
9 = 45° + a/2. When 6 has this value, 90' -6 + a- ha,s_ the
same value. Hence there is but one direction of initial
velocity by which the maximum displacement in the
given direction can be attained ; and that direction bisects
the angle between the direction opposite to that of the
acceleration, and the given direction.
149. In the important special case in which PM co-
incides with PJV) we have a = 0. Hence
R*=Vhm2e/a,
and this displacement is attained whether the inclination
of PA to PN have the value d or the value 90° - 6. The
greatest possible value of R in this case is F^/a, and it is
attained when the inclination of the initial velocity has
the value 45°.
150. The important practical problem of determining
the direction of an initial velocity of given magnitude,
with which the moving point will pass through a given
point, may be solved at once by means of the above
expression (145) for It. For the point, say M, being
given, PM (i.e., iJ) aind a are known, and a and V being
given, all the quantities involved in this expressioii except
6 are known. We thus have for determining 6,
= Jsm-i[^ y^ — -l-sinaj + 2-
As pointed out above, 6 may clearly have either of two
values. In practice allowance must of course be made
for the resistance of the air.
* In gunnery the range on a horizontal plane. — The reader should
prove this special case directly.
152]
TEANSLATION : PEOJECTILES.
91
151. To Determine the Path of the Point. — The accele-
ration and initial velocity being given, the value of R in
the above expression (145) will depend upon that of a.
If different values be given to a, the displacements of the
moving point in known directions, and therefore as many
positions as we please of the point ia its path may be
determmed. , Thus, as the reader who is familiar with
analytical geometry will see, this expression is an equa-
tion to the path of the moving point expressed in polar
coordinates.
152. The path may be determined also by the follow-
ing geometrical method. Let P be the initial position of
the moving point, and let PQ represent in direction the
direction of the initial velocity and in magnitude the
component displacetnent due to the initial velocity in t
units of time. Let QR represent the component displace-
ment due to the acceleration in t units of time. Then R
is the position of the point after t units of time. Now
PQ = Vt and QR = ^atl Eliminating t, we find
PQ^ = {2V^/a)QR.
This relation must hold for all values of t and therefore
for all positions, of the moving point. But we know,
from the geometry of the parabola, that, if 8 is the focus
92
KINEMATICS.
[152
of a parabola whicli touches QF in P and whose axis is
parallel to QB,
PQ^ = ^SF.QR.
Hence the path of the moving point is a parabola which
touches PQ in P, has an axis parallel to QR, and has a
focus distant Vy2a from P. To find the directrix of the
parabola, we know that it must be perpendicular to QR
and at a distance from P equal to F8. Hence from P
draw FM parallel to QR and make it equal to V^/2a.
Then from M draw MM' perpendicular to FM. MM' is
the directrix. To find the focus 8 we know that FS and
FM must be equally inclined to FQ. Hence from P
draw FS, making the angle SFQ equal to MFQ, and
make F8 equal to Vy2a. 8 is the focus of the parabola.
The directrix and focus being thus known, the parabolic
path is known.
153. The acceleration and the magnitude of the initial
velocity being given, FM will be constant. The length
of F8 will also be constant, but its direction will vary
with the direction of the initial velocity. Hence the
diflFerent positions occupied by 8, for different directions
of the initial velocity, lie on a circle whose centre is P
and radius F8.
154. We may apply the geometrical method to deter-
mine the displacement in a given direction with given
acceleration and initial velocity. Let P be the initial
position of the point, PA the direction of the initial
154]
TRANSLATION : PfiOJECTILES.
93
velocity, MM' the directrix of the path. Then. the focus
of the path must lie ou the circle MAS. If then the
angle APS is made equal to the angle MPA, S is the
focus. To find at what point the path cuts the given
direction Pm, it is necessary to find a point P' in Pm.
whose distance from S is equal to its distance from MM',
i.e., to find in Pttv the centre of a circle which will pass
through S and touch MM' — a simple geometrical problem.
Let P' be this point and M'SS' the circle. Then P'M'=
P'S. Hence P' is a point on the parabola whose focus is
S, and therefore PP' is the displacement of the point in
the direction Ptti.
As the circles meet in general in two points we have
MP=PS', and M'P'=P'8'. Hence P and P' are also
points on the parabola whose focus is 8'. Hence there
are two paths by which, with a given acceleration and
an initial velocity of given magnitude, a given distance
in a given direction may be attained. The direction of
the initial velocity which gives the second path is that
of the line bisecting the angle S'PM.
As the angle MPA increases, 8 and 8' approach one
•another and PP' increases in length. When MPA = APm,
S and 8' coincide, the circles merely touch, and PP' =
94
KINKMATICS.
[154
FS+8P'. This is the greatest distance the moving point
can attain in the given direction with an initial velocity
of given magnitude ; and it can be attained obviously by
one path only.
The locus 'of P', when PP' is the greatest distance
which can be attained in different directions with an
initial velocity of given magnitude, is the curve inside
which all points can be reached by the moving point
with an initial velocity of the given magnitude, outside
which no points can be reached. It is evidently a para-
Q Q'
m'
y?
bola whose focus is P and vertex M. For if PM be
produced to Q, so that PM=MQ, and if QQ' be drawn
parallel to MM, and P'M produced to meet it in Q', we
have P'P = P'Q'. Hence P' is a point on a parabola
whose focus is P and directrix QQ', and whose vertex
consequently is M.
155. Examples*
(1) A body is projected with an initial velocity of 30 ft. per sec
inclined 60° to the horizon. Find the velocity after 20 sec.
* In the solution of these problems the resistance of the air is
not taken into account. When the value of g is not specified it is'
to be taken as 32'2 ft.-sec. units or 981 om.-sec. units.
155] TRANSLATION: PROJECTILES. 95
Ans. 618-2 ft. per sec. inclined 148° 36'-6 to the direction of the
initial velocity.
(2) Find the direction and magnitude of the velocity of projection
in order that the projectile may reach its maximum height at a
point whose horizontal and vertical distances from the starting
point are 6 and h respectively.
Ans. Direction inclined tan-i(2A/6) to the horizon, magnitude
[(4A2+6%/2^]i.
(3) A particle is projected horizontally with a speed of 32'2 ft.
per sec. from a point 128'8 feet from the ground. Find the -direc-
tion of its motion when it has fallen half way to the ground.
Ans. Inclination to the vertical =tan~i J.
(4) A stone is let fall in a railway carriage travelling at the rate
of 30 mis. per hour. Find its displacement relative to the road at
the end of O'l sec.
Ans. 4-4028... ft. inclined 2° 3'-4 to the horizon.
(5) A stone is thrown into the air at an angle of 45° to the
horizontal plane with a speed of 50 ft. per sec. Find the magnitude
of the displacement at the instant at which the stone's velocity is
horizontal.
Ans. 43-4... ft.
(6) A gun is fired horizontally at a height of 144-9 ft. above the
surface of a lake and gives the ball an initial speed of 1,000 ft. per
sec. Find (a) after what time, and (6) at what horizontal distance,
the ball will strike the lake.
Ans. (a) 3 sec; (6) 3,000 ft.
(7) A stone thrown at an elevation of 1 9° from the top of a tower
falls in 5 sec. at a distance of 100 ft. from the base. Find (a) the
height of the tower, and (6) the speed of projection.
Ans. ia) 368-06... ft.; (6) 21-15... ft. per sec.
(8) The elevation of a projectile is that of maximum range on a
horizontal plane. Show that the time which elapses before it
reaches a point in its path whose horizontal and vertical distances
from its starting point are h and k respectively is {^-(h—k)\ .
96 KINEMATICS. [155
(9) Three particles are projected at the same instant from the
same point in different directions. Show that the area of the
triangle of which they form the angular points varies as the square
of the time, and that the plane passing through them remains
parallel to itself.
(10) The velocities of a projectile at any two points of its path
being given, find the difference of their altitudes above a horizontal
plane.
Ans. (F^in^a- F'%in2o')/25', where V, F' are the magnitudes of
the given velocitiesj u, a their inclinations to the horizon.
(11) A ball is projected with a velocity of 100 ft. per sec. inclined
75° to the horizon. Find (a) the range on a horizontal plane ; (6)
the range on a plane inclined 30° to the horizon ; and (c) what
other directions of the initial velocity would give the same respec-
tive ranges.
Ans. (a) 155-2 ft.; (6) (n/S- 1)207-0... ft.; (c) inclinations 15°
and 45° respectively.
(12) At what elevation must a body be projected with a speed
of 310'8 ft. per sec. that it may reach a balloon 500 ft. from the
earth's surface and at a distance of 1,000 ft. from the point of
projection ?
Ans. Either 39° 17'-7... or 80° 42' -3.
(13) On a small planet a stone projected with a speed of 50 ft.
per sec. is found to have a maximum range on a horizontal plane of
400 ft. Find the acceleration of falling bodies at the surface of
that planet.
Ans. 6-25 ft.-sec. units.
(14) Show that with a given initial speed the greatest range on
a horizontal plane is just half as great as the greatest range down
an incline of 30°.
(15) The greatest range on a horizontal plane of a projectile with
a given initial speed being 500 metres, show that the greatest
range on a plane inclined 60° to the horizontal is 2 - ;^3 kilometres.
(16) AB being the range of a projectile on a horizontal plane,
155] TEANSLATION: PROJECTILES. 97
show that if t be the time from A to any point P of the trajectory
(t.e., the path), and i the time from P to B, the height of P above
AB is \gtt'.
(17) A particle projected at a given elevation with an initial
speed V reaches the top of a tower h ft. high and 2A ft. from the
point of projection in t seconds. Find (a) the initial speed of
another particle which, being projected at the same elevation from
a point distant 4A ft. from the tower, will also reach its summit,
and (6) the time it will require.
Ans. (a) sl¥gVtl{h+gf^y; {b)[2{h+gt^lg]i.
(18) Two stones thrown at the same instant from points 20 yds.
apart, with initial velocities inclined 60° and 30° respectively to the
horizon, strike a flag-pole at the same point at the same instant.
Show that their initial speeds are as 1 : v/3 ; and that the distance
of the pole from the nearer point of projection is 10 yds.
(19) If a particle, projected with a speed w, strike at right
angles a vertical wall whose distance from the point of projec-
tion is M^os Jh^ — r^.
156. Case III. — Central Acceleration, the acceleration
directed towards a fixed point or centre. (See 138.)
If a point move under a central acceleration the
moment of its velocity about the centre will be constant.
— Since the velocity of the moving point at any instant
157 ] TRANSLATION :-. — CENTRAL ACCELERATION. 99
is the resultant of the velocity at a former instant, and
of the integral acceleration during the intervening time, its
moment about the centre is (105) equal to the sum of their
moments about the same point. But the moment of the
acceleration about a point towards which it is directed
is zero. Hence the moment of the velocity of the moving
point about the centre is constant.
It is clear also that the converse proposition holds,
that if the moment of the velocity of a moving point
about any fixed point be constant, its acceleration must
be directed towards the fixed point.
' It follows from 132 that, if to be the angular velocity
of the moving point about, and r its distance from, the
centre of acceleration, wr^, and therefore ^wr^, are con-
stant. Hence (133) the areal velocity of the moving point,
or the area described per unit of time by the radius vector
from the centre of acceleration, is constant.
157. Examples.
(1) Various particles, whose accelerations are all directed to one
centre C, are projected from a given point A with equal speeds but
in different directions. Show that the areas described in a given
time by lines drawn from C to the particles will be proportional to
the sines of the inclinations of their initial velocities to the line AC.
[The areal velocities are proportional to the moments of the linear
velocities, and the perpendiculars on the directions of motion are
proportional to the sines of the inclinations.]
(2) A point moves in an elliptic path with an acceleration directed
to one of the foci. Show that its velocity varies inversely as the
square root of its distance from that focus, and directly as the square
root of its distance from the other, and has maximum and minimum
values when the point is nearest to and farthest from the centre of
acceleration respectively. [Note that the product of the perpen-
diculars from the foci on a tangent is equal to. the square of the
semi-axis minor.]
100 KINEMATICS. [157
(3) A point moves in a parabola under an acceleration directed
towards the vertex. Show that the time required to move from
any point to the vertex will be found to vary as the cube of the
distance of the point from the axis. [If P is a point on a parabola
whose vertex is A, and if PM is a perpendicular on the axis of the
parabola, the area APM is proportional to the product oi AM
into MP.I
(4) If an ellipse be described by a point under an acceleration
directed towards its centre, the velocity of the point will vary
directly as the diameter .conjugate to that which passes through
the point.
(5) A point moves in an ellipse ABA'B' (ms.]oT a,:Kis, ASS'A' ;.
minor axis, BB' ; foci, S and S') with an acceleration directed
towards S. Show that the ratio of the times of describing AB and
BA' is (ir-2e)l{ir + 2e), where e is the excentricity of the ellipse.
(6) A point moves in a circle and is observed to occupy, in
passing from a fixed point in the circle to any other point, a time
proportional to the sum of the lengths of the arc described and of
the perpendicular from one extremity on the diameter through the
other. Show that the acceleration of the moving point is directed
towards a fixed point.
(7) Find the angular velocity of a point moving with a central
acceleration, about the centre, in terms of the length of the radius
vector (r) and the areal velocity (A).
Ans. Sh/A
158. We shall discuss two important cases of central
acceleration, viz., that of planetary motion and that of
harmonic motion.
I. Planetary motion, the acceleration being inversely
proportional to the square of the distance of the moving
point from the centre of acceleration. This case is of
interest, because it is that of the motion of planets about
the sun and of satellites about their primaries.
158] TRANSLATION: PLANETARY MOTION. 101
(a) The motion rectilinear, the velocity being in the
same straight line as the acceleration at any instant
(140). Let s be the distance of the moving point from
the centre of acceleration at any instant. Then if a be
the acceleration at that distance, and k a constant,
a= —Jc/s\ the negative sign being used because the
acceleration is towards the point from which the distance
s is measured. If v be the speed at the instant under
consideration, and v' the speed after an indefinitely short
time T,
a={v' — v)/t = — Jc/s\
If s'.is the distance after the time t, (s' — s)/t is the mean
speed during t ; and as t is indefinitely short, we may
consider it equal either to v or to v'. Hence
v+v' = 2(s'-s)/t.
Hence also
, , ,,v'—v Jc s' — s
(v+v)^=-2-^.-—-
T if T
As T is indefinitely small we may consider g' equal to
ss'. Hence
Let V be the velocity of the point when at a distance 8.
Then the space between the positions, whose distances
from the centre are s and 8, may be divided into an
indefinitely great number- of parts by points whose
distances from the centre are Sj, s^, etc., s„. In that
case, if %, v^, etc., Vn, are the velocities of the moving
point when it is at the above distances respectively,
we have
F^-.^„=2^(l-A),
etc.,
102 KINEMATICS. [ l^^
v'-tf = 2k(^---).
Vsj s/
Hence by addition we obtain
Therefore v^-^=v^--,
S s
21c
or v^ = ^ (a constant).
If s„ is the distance from the centre of acceleration at
which the velocity becomes zero (the distance of the
starting point, if the moving point start from rest), we
have = [-A,
and A =
So
Hence v^ = 2Jc(--~);
\s sj
and the speed at any given distance from the centre of
acceleration is thus expressed in terms of that distance.
159. We may apply the above to the case of the falling
of bodies to the earth from great distances. For this
purpose we must determine the value of k in this case.
Now the acceleration of a falling body at the earth's
surface, i.e., at a distance equal to the earth's radius (iJ)
from the centre of the earth, is g ; and by Newton's law
of gravitation the acceleration of a falling body is in-
versely proportional to its distance from the earth's
centre. Hence at a distance s we have
and therefore in this case k=gR\ Hence, if v is the
velocity of a falling body at a distance s from the earth's
160] TRANSLATION: PLANETARY MOTION. 103
centre, its velocity at a distance s„ having been zero,
At the earth's surface therefore its velocity will be such
that ^2 = 2^iJ2(^-^) = 2^i2(l-^)-
_ If the point from which the body has fallen be a short
distance h from the earth's surface, Sf^ = R+h, and
= 2sri?(l-(l-|+^-etc.)).
If now h, be sufficiently small (h/S)^ and higher powers
may be neglected. Hence we have v^=2ghi the result
obtained in 65.
If a body fall to the earth's surface from a very great
(practically infinite) distance, we have 1/s = 0, and hence
i^ = 2gB.
160. Examples.
(1) The acceleration (expressed in ft. -sec. units) of a moving point
towards a centre is four times the square of the reciprocal of its
distance from the centre. If it start from rest at a distance of 6 ft.,
find its speed at a distance of 1 ft.
Ans. 2'58... ft. per sec.
(2) A body falls to the earth from a point 1,000 mis. above its
surface. Find its speed on reaching the surface (neglecting resist-
ance of air and taking the earth's radius to be 4,000 mis.).
Ans. 3'12... mis. per sec.
(3) With the data of the last problem find the body's distance
■from the earth's surface'when its speed is 2 mis. per sec.
Ans. 535"2... mis.
(4) With what speed must a body be projected vertically at the
earth's surface that it may never return ? (Assume the earth to
have no atmosphere and not to be rotating.)
Ans. 6 '98... mis. per sec.
104 KINEMATICS. [160
(5) At what point on a line joining the centres of the earth and
moon ■will a body have no acceleration ? (Acceleration of falling
bodies at the moon's surface due to moon's attraction=5'5 ft. -sec.
units; radius of moon = 1,080 mis.; distance between centres of
earth and moon =240,000 mis.)
Ans. At a point about 215,900 mis. from the earth's centre.
161. (6) Tlie motion curvilinear, the velocity at any
instant being inclined to the acceleration.
As (or^ is constant (156), the angular velocity of the
moving point P about the centre of acceleration is pro-
portional to l/r\ and therefore to its linear acceleration.
Now the angular velocity of P is also the angular velocity
of the direction of the acceleration, and is therefore (112)
equal to the angular velocity of the tangent at the cor-
responding point Q of the hodograph. And the linear
acceleration of P is equal to the linear velocity of the
point Q in the hodograph. If therefore s be the length
of the small arc between two points of the hodograph,
and ^ the angle between the tangents at these points,
(p/s is constant. Now the acceleration of P is in the
same plane as its velocity at any instant, and the centre
of acceleration, and therefore its path also, is in that
plane. Hence the hodograph is a plane curve of constant
curvature, i.e. (40), a circle. Let
H be the circular hodograph,
its pole (which may be either
inside or outside or upon the
circumference), A its centre, and
Q the point in it corresponding to
the position P of the moving
point in its path. Through
draw OM perpendicular to QA or
QA produced, and through Q draw
QiV perpendicular to OA or OA
produced. Since the tangent at Q is in the direction of
the acceleration of P, and therefore in that of the radius
162] TRANSLATION: PLANETARY MOTION. 105
vector, OM is the componeat of the velocity of P, in the
direction of the radius vector, and is therefore clearly
equal to the rate of change of the length of the radius
vector. Also QiV is the component perpendicular to ^he
fixed line OA of the velocity of P. Hence the ratio of
OM to QN is the ratio of a small increment of the radius
vector to the simultaneous increment of the distance of
the point P from a fixed line in the plane of motion.
Now the triangles 0AM and QAN are similar, and the
ratio of OM to QH is therefore equal to the ra,tio of OA
to AQ, and consequently is constant. P's path is there-
fore such that if r and r' are initial and final values of
the radius vector in a short time, and if d and d' are
corresponding values of the distance of P from a certain
fixed line in the plane of laotion, (r' — r)/(d' —d) = k (a
constant). Take another fixed line parallel to the given
fixed line, and so placed in the plane of motion that, if
P's distance from it is S, when the radius vector is r, we
may have r/S=k. Also, when the radius vector is r', let
S' be the distance of the point from this line. Then
d'-d=S^-S.
Hence
r'-T = l({8'-S).
Now
T = kS.
Therefore
t'=W.
Hence the ratio of the distance of the moving point from
a fixed point to its distance from a fixed line has a
constant value, or, in other words, the path must be
a conic section. If /c < 1 (and therefore the point
inside the circle), the path is an ellipse. If fe=l (the
point on the circumference) it is a parabola. If A; > 1
(0 outside the circle) it is an hyperbola.*
162. The astronomical problem is the converse of the
above. Kepler generalized from many series of observa-
* This proof is due to Prof. Tait. See Encyclopaedia Britaniiica,
9th ed., art. Mechanics.
106
KINEMATICS.
[162
tions (1) that the path of each planet is an ellipse, one of
whose foci is occupied by the sun ; and (2) that the
radius vector of each planet, from the sun, describes equal
areas in equal times. These are two of what are known
as Kepler's laws. In astronomy, therefore, we have to
determine the direction and magnitude of the accelera-
tion of a point whose path is
an ellipse and whose radius vec-
tor from one focus describes equal
areas in equal times. Let P be
the position of the planet at
any instant, V its velocity, APA'
its elliptic path, , AA' the axis
major of the path, 8 the focus
occupied by the sun, and SY a,
perpendicular from S on the tan-
gent at P- The locus of F is a
circle on AA' as diameter. Draw this circle and let YS
meet it in Q.
By the second of Kepler's laws, V. SYis constant (132),
and by a property of the circle SY. 8Q is also constant.
Hence 8Q is proportional to V. And it is at right angles
to the direction of V. Hence the locus of Q, the circle
A YA', turned through a right angle about 8 so that 8Q
may become codirectional with V, is the hodograph of
P's motion. By a property of the ellipse, GQ is parallel
to P8. Hence the tangent QE at Q, whose direction is
that of Q's velocity, is perpendicular to P8, and, if the
circle be turned through a right angle, will be codirec-
tional with P8. But (112) the direction of the velocity
of Q is that of the acceleration of P- Hence P's accelera-
tion is towards 8.
Also the magnitude of P's acceleration is equal to that
of Q's velocity. And Q's velocity is proportional to the
angular velocity of Q about (7, i.e., since CQ and P8 are
parallel, of P about 8. And the areal velocity of P about
1 63 ] TRANSLATION : HARMONIC MOTION. 107
*Si being constant, its angular velocity about S is inversely
proportional to the square otPS. Hence the acceleration
of P is inversely proportional to its distance from S*
163. II. Harmonic motion, the magnitude of the
central acceleration being directly proportional to the
distance of the moving point from the centre of accelera-
tion. — This case is of interest because it is that of the
motion of elastic bodies after compression or distortion.
It includes therefore the motion of air and of the lumi-
niferous ether in the transmission of sound and light
respectively.
(a) The motion rectilinear, the velocity at any instant
being in the same straight line as the acceleration
(140) — simple harm,onic motion.
Let a be the acceleration of the moving point when at
a distance s from the centre of acceleration. Then, k
being a constant, a= — Jcs, the negative sign being used, as
in 158. Let the point move to a position at a distance s'
from the centre. Then, since the acceleration increases
uniformly with the distance, its average value per unit
distance during the above displacement must be half the
sum of its initial and final values, i.e., —k(s + s')/2. The
change of velocity during the displacement is the same
as if the point had had an acceleration of this amount
during the whole displacement. Hence, if v, v' are the
velocities of the moving point at the distances s, s' respec-
tively (140, 65),
^'2_^2 = a/ /|(g + s'))(s'-s)
= k(s^-s'^).
As the point moves away from the centre its velocity
diminishes. Let s„ be the distance at which it becomes
* This proof is also due to Prof. Tait. See his " Properties of
Matter," § 146.
108 KINEMATICS. [ 1 63
zero. Then at any other point distant s its velocity v is
such that v^=k(s^^-s^).
When the point reaches the centre of acceleration, s = 0,
and v^='ks^. Hence its speed on passing through the
centre is ^A;.s„. At any point distant — s from the
centre its speed is such that
and is therefore the same as at a point distant +s. At a
point distant — s„its speed is zero. Hence the moving
point starting from a distance s^, with zero speed, moves
with increasing speed to the centre of acceleration where
its speed is i^k . s„ ; thence with decreasing speed to a
distance — s,,; and thence back to the starting point,
undergoing the same changes of speed in the reverse
order ; and so on, its whole motion consisting of a series
of such oscillations.
Let S be the centre of acceleration, SA the line of
motion. From S as centre with
a radius equal to Sq describe a
circle. From P, whose distance
from S is s, draw PM perpendic-
ular to SA and meeting the circle
Po^ inM. If now the point M move
with a uniform speed ^Jk . s„ in the circle, P, the foot of
the perpendicular from M on SA, will move in SA with
a speed which is the component of M's velocity in the
line SA and is therefore
Jk . s.cos SMP = Jk . s~ = Jks/^^i
If then P's velocity is v,
v^ = k(sQ^ — s^).
Hence P's velocity, and consequently also its acceleration,
at any given distance from S, are the same as the velocity
and acceleration respectively of the moving point under
consideration when at the same distance from its centre
163] TRANSLATION: HAEMONIC MOTION. 109
of acceleration. Hence the motion of a point moving in
a straight line with an acceleration directly proportional
to its distance from a centre of acceleration in that line is
the resolved part in the direction of that line of the
motion of a point moving with uniform speed ^k . «„ in
a circle whose centre is the centre of acceleration and
whose radius is s„.
The time required by the moving point to make a
complete oscillation from A to A' and back to A being
that required by M to move once round the auxiliary
circle is clearly
2xs„ _ 2-7r _ 2 /displacement
^Jh .s^ y/k \ acceleration '
since the magnitude of k is the ratio of the acceleration
of the point to its displacement, in any position. The
time of a complete oscillation depends therefore only upon
the value of k, the constant ratio of the acceleration of
the moving point to its displacement from the centre of
acceleration. It is independent of the .extent of the
oscillation. For this reason such oscillations are said to
be isochronous. ■
The time required by the moving point to move from
a position P„ to P is, if M„ is the intersection with the
circle of a line drawn from P^ perpendicular to SA,
27r &ngle M„SM _ 1 „„„i„ m o jr
the angle being measured in radians.
The oscillation of a point moving in a straight line
about a fixed point in the line towards which its accelera-
tion is directed, the acceleration being directly propor-
tional to the distance between the points, is called Simple
Harmonic Motion.*
* Simple Harmonic Motion is thus not only the simplest form of
the motion of bodies after release from strain, but is also the
apparent motion of bodies moving in circular orbits when observed
from a distant point in the plane of the orbit, as, e.g., approximately
in the case of the motion of Jupiter's Satellites.
110 KINEMATICS. [ 164
164. It will be obvious that the above results apply
also to the case of a point moving in a curved path, pro-
vided its rate of change of speed is proportional to its
distance (measured along the path) from a fixed point in
the path, and is positive, or negative, according as it is
moving towards or from the fixed point.
165. The distance of the centre of acceleration or the
mean position of the moving point P from its extreme
position, 8A in the figure of 163, is called the Amplitude
of the simple harmonic motion. The interval of time
between two saccessive passages of the moving point
through the same position in the same direction is called
the Period. The fraction of the period intervening
between the instant of the point's occupying its extreme
position A in the positive direction, and that at which it
occupies any given position is called the Phase. The
phase is frequently described by reference to the auxiliary
circle. In that case it is defined as the ratio of the angle
ASM (P, 163, being the given position of the moving
point) to the whole angle (27r radians) through which
SM moves in the period. These two modes of defini-
tion give clearly the same value of the phase in any
particular case. The angle ASM^{P^ being the position
of the moving point at zero of time) is called the Epoch
of the simple harmonic motion. The epoch is thus equal
to the product of the phase at zero of time into 27r. The
epoch determines the position of the point at zero of time,
the phase its position after any given interval. The
epoch has a definite value in any given case of simple
harmonic motion, the phase varies with the time,
166. Examples.
(1) A point whose motion is simple harmonic has velocities 20
and 25 ft. per sec. at distances 10 and 8 ft. respectively from its
centre of acceleration. Find (a) its period, and (6) its acceleration
at unit distance from the centre.
Ans. (a) --sec. ; (6) 6 "25 ft. -sec. units.
166] TRANSLATION: HARMONIC MOTION. Ill
(2) The period of a simple harmonic motion is 20 sec. and the
maximum velocity of the moving point is 10 ft. per sec. Find its
velocity at a distance of GO/tt ft. from the mean position.
Ans. 8 ft. per sec.
(3) A point moves from rest towards a fixed point 10 metres dis-
tant, its acceleration being everywhere 4 times its distance from the
fixed point. At what distance will it have a velocity of 12 metres
per sec. ?
Ans. 8 metres.
(4) Find the mean speed of a point executing a simple harmonic
motion, during the time occupied in moving from one to the other
extremity of its range, its maximum speed being 5 ft. per sec.
Ans. XO/tt ft. per sec.
(5) If T be the period and a the amplitude of a simple harmonic
motion, and if v be the velocity and « the distance from the centre,
of the moving point at a given instant, show that
\ 47r2 /
(6) A point oscillates about a centre, its acceleration being pro-
portional to its distance from the centre. Show that the ratio of its
maximum velocity to the square root of the excess of the square of
its maximum velocity over the square of the velocity which it has
when at a given displacement from the centre, is equal to the ratio
of its maximum displacement to the given displacement.
(7) A point has a simple harmonic motion whose period is 4 min.
12 sec. Find the time during which its phase changes from ^V to
^ of a period.
Ans. 21 sec.
(8) A moving point has a velocity of 1 ft. per sec. when at a
distance of ^/3 ft. from a fixed point in its line of motion towards
which its acceleration is directed, its acceleration being everywhere
numerically equal to its distance from that point. After what time
will it be at a distance of 1 ft. ?
Ans. 7r/12 sec.
(9) Show that a point having a simple harmonic motion requires
112 KINEMATICS. [166
^ of its period to move from a position in which its displacement is
a maximum to one in ■which its displacement is one-half the ampli-
tude.
167. (b) Curvilinear motion, the velocity of the
moving point at any instant being inclined to the
acceleration — compov/nd harmonic Tnotion.
Let S be the centre of accelera-
tion, P the position of the moving
point at any instant, and V its
velocity at that instant. In the
plane of V and 8P take two fixed
rectangular axes Sx, 8y. From P
draw PM, FN perpendiculars on
Sx and Sy respectively. Let the
inclination of V to 8x be a. Then
the moving point has in the direction of Sx a component
velocity Fcos a, and, if s is -the distance of P from 8, a
component acceleration
- ks cos P8M= -Jcsi^=-k. SM.
/5-r
Similarly in the direction of Sy, P has a component
velocity Fsina and a component acceleration —k.SN.
Hence the motion of the moving point is the resultant
of two component simple harmonic motions, the one in
the direction 8x, the other in the direction Sy. We may
therefore determine its motion by determining the laws
of the composition of simple harmonic motions. We
shall investigate these laws at greater length than is
necessary for the mere solution of the above problem,
as they are of great importance in the study of sound
and light.
168. Composition of Simple Harmonic Motions. — A
point has two or more component simple harmonic
motions; it is required to determine its resultant motion.
168]
TRANSLATION : HAEMONIC MOTION.
113
(1) Two Simple Harmonic Motions in the same line
and with the same period. — Let the point P, moving in
line BB', have two component simple harmonic
th6
motions, of amplitudes OA and GB, and of the same
period. Let GP^ and (7Pjj be the component displace-
ments due to the respective simple harmonic motions at
a given instant. Then the resultant displacement is (86,
III.) (7Pj + OPj. Draw the auxiliary . circles, and let
ilfj, M^ be the points in these circles corresponding to Pj,
Py Complete the parallelogram M^M^, and from 8 draw
SR perpendicular to BB'.
Since Mfi=SM^&iiA angle GMJP^=^M^SR, GP^==Pfi.
Hence GR is equal to the resultant displacement, and ^'s
motion is the resultant motion. Since the periods of the
motions are the same, the angular velocities of GM^^ and
GM^ are the same. Hence the angle MfiM^ is constant,
and therefore the length of the diagonal GS of the paral-
lelogram MM^,. a,nd its inclination to GM^ or GM^ are
constant. 8 therefore moves with uniform speed in a
circle. Hence -B's motion is simple harmonic, and there-
fore the resultant of two simple harmonic motions in the
same line and of the same period is also a simple harmonic
motion.
As the inclination of G8 toCMj is constant, the period
bf the resultant simple harmonic motion is the common
H
114 KIKEMATIOS. [168
period of the components. Its amplitude is C8. Its
phase , is intermediate between the phases of the com-
ponents. If the phases of the two components are the
same, the amplitude of the resultant motion is the sum
of those of the component motions. If the diflference
of phase is tt radians (or [2%+ IJtt radians), the amplitude
of the resultant is the difference of those of the com-
ponents.
169. As, by taking CM and CM^ of proper lengths,
the angles MfiP^ and MpM^ may be made what we
please, while GB is kept constant, any given simple
harmonic motion may be resolved into two components
in the same line, having any desired difference of phase,
and one of them having, any desired epoch.
170. (2) Three or more coviponent Simple Harmonic
Motions in the same line and of the same period may be
compounded two and two, the above process being applied
in each case. The resultant motion will evidently be
simple harmonic of the period common to the components.
171. (3) Two component Simple Harmonic Motions
■in the same line but of different periods. — If the periods
are not the same, the angle MfiM^ (168), and consequently
also GS, are variable. At the instants at which the phases
of the component motions are the same or differ by 2%-^
radians, GS has its maximum value, viz., GM^ -|- GM^.
At the instants at which the phases differ by {tn-^-Vyic
radians, GS has its minimum value, viz., GM^—GM^. The
angular velocity of GS will also be variable. The direc-
tion of GS will oscillate back and forth about that of
GM^ their maximum inclination being %\n.~\GMJGM-^.
The resultant motion is therefore not simple harmonic
but a more complex motion,
172. (4) Component Simple Harmonic Motions in
173] TRANSLATION: — -HARMONIC MOTION. 115
different lines with the same period and phase. — Let the
point P have two component
simple harmonic motions in
the lines \A J.' and BB'. Let
CP^ and GP^, and Gp^ and Gp^
be the component displacements
of P at times t^ and t^, due to the
respective component motions.
Then, as periods and phases are
the same, GPJGP^ = GpJGp^.
Complete the parallelograms
pJP^,p^P^. Then GR^ and GR^
are in the same straight line and GPjCP^ = GRJGR^;
i.e., the resultant motion is a simple harmonic motion in
the line GR^, and is of the same period and phase as the
components. The amplitude is the diagonal of the paral-
lelogram, whose adjacent sides represent the amplitudes
of the components and are inclined at the inclination of
the lines in which the simple harmonic motions occur.
Hence a simple harmonic motion may be resolved in
any two directions into two simple harmonic motions of
the same period and phase as the given simple harmonic
motion. .
It follows that the projection of a simple harmonic
motion on any straight line or on any plane is also a
simple harmonic motion of the same period and phase as
the projected simple harmonic motion.
If the component simple harmonic motions are more
than two, they may be compounded two by two accord-
ing to the above law, and it follows that any number of
component simple harmonic motions, in any directions;
and of the same period and phase, give as resultant a
simple harmonic motion of the same period and phase in
a determinate direction and of determinate amplitude.,
173. (5) Two component Simple Harmonic Motions in
116
KINEMATICS.
[173
different lines with the same period hut with different
phases. — We have seen (163) that if a point move uni-
formly in a circle, the component of its motion in the
direction of a diameter is a simple harmonic motion.
Hence the uniform motion of a point in a circle may be
resolved into two simple harmonic motions in directions
at right angles to one another.
These simple harmonic motions
will clearly have the same
periods and amplitudes. They
will differ in phase however by
one quarter of a period. For
let AA', BB' be perpendicular
diameters of the circle ABA'B',
in which the point M is moving
counter-clockwise. Then the
foot P of the perpendicular
MP^ will be moving towards U, while P^, the foot of
the perpendicular MP^, will be moving towards B. When
Pj is at A {i.e., has the phase zero), P^ will be at C, and
not until M has moved from A to B will P^ have the
phase zero.
It follows also that two component simple harmonic
motions in perpendicular directions, of the same period,
of equal amplitudes, and with phases differing by one
quarter of a period, will give as resultant, uniform motion
in a circle whose radius is the common amplitude of the
components.
Now the orthogonal projection of a circle is an ellipse,*
the centre of the circle projecting into the centre of the
ellipse; the projection of uniform motion in a circle (a
motion in which the areal velocity about the centre is
constant) is motion in an ellipse with constant areal
* If the reader is not familiar with the geometry of projection,
he should read the chapter on this subject in Todhimter's " Conic
Sections " or some similar work.
1 74 ] TEANSLATION : HARMONIC MOTION. 1 1 7
velocity about the centre; the projections of perpen-
dicular diameters of a circle are conjugate diameters of
the ellipse, whose inclination and relative length may be
made what we please by a proper selection of the plan§
of projection; and the projection of a simple harmonic
motion we have seen (172) to be a simple harmonic
motion with unchanged period and phase. If, therefore,
we project the circle A'BAB', with its perpendicular
diameters, on a plane so selected that the projections of
the diameters have any des-ired inclination and relative
length, the projections of the motions of P^ and P^ will
be simple harmonic motions differing in phase by a
quarter of a period ; and their resultant motion, the pro-
jection of that of M, will be motion in the ellipse which
is the projection of A! BAB', the motion being such that
the areal velocity of the moving point about the centre
of the ellipse is constant. Hence, if a point have two
component simple harmonic motions in any dii-ections,
of any amplitudes, of the same period, and with phases
differing by a quarter of a period, the resultant motion
will be motion in an ellipse, with conjugate diameters
whose directions are the directions, and whose lengths
are the amplitudes, of the component motions, and with
constant areal velocity about the centre. Such a motion
is called elliptic harmonic motion.
174. If now the two component simple harmonic
motions differ in phase by any amount, each of them
may (169) be resolved into two in its own direction,
which differ in phase by a quarter of a period, and one
of which has any desired epoch. Thus we have now two
pairs of components, the components of each pair having
the same phase, but differing in phase by a quarter of a
period from those of the other pair. The components of
each pair give as resultant a simple harmonic motion of
determinate amplitude and direction, and of their common
period and phase. Hence we obtain two simple harmonic
motions of determinate amplitude and direction, equal in
118 KI K EMATICS. [ 1 74
period, and differing in phase by one quarter of a period,
the resultant of which is determined by 173. Hence the
resultant of two component simple harmonic motions of
the same period, whatever may be their amplitudes,
directions, or phases, is elliptic harmonic motion.
175. It will be obvious that all possible paths of a point
having two such component simple harmonic motions,
represented by AA' and BB' , must tonch each of the
sides of a parallelogram BEFO, whose sides pass through
Q F
A, A', B, B', and are parallel to AA' and BB'. What the
particular path will be, with amplitudes and directions
given, will depend upon the difference of the phases of
the components. If there is no difference of phase the
path is the diagonal GE. If the phases differ by one
quarter of a period (that of the simple harmonic motion
in AA' being ahead), the point will move in the ellipse
ABA'B', and its motion will be counter-clockwise. If
they differ by one-half period, the diagonal FD will be
the path. If by three-quarters, the point will again move
in the ellipse ABA'B', but its motion will be clockwise.
For differences of phase of intermediate value the paths
will be ellipses in intermediate positions. Thus, for dif-
ferences between and i or f and 0, the paths will be
such ellipses as HKLM, the motion being counter-clock-
wise or clockwise respectively ; and for differences between
\ and I or i and | such ellipses as NOPQ traversed counter-
clockwise or clockwise respectively.
177 ] TEANSLATION : HAEMONIC MOTION. 119
176. (6) Three or more component Simple HarTnonic
Motions in different Unes with the same period but with
different phases. — If there be more than two component
simple harmonic motions of the same period, but in
different lines, and of different amplitudes and phases,
each of them may, as in 174, be resolved into two in its
own direction, which differ in phase by a quarter of a
period, and one of which has any desired epoch. We
thus obtain two sets of component motions, all the mem-
bers of each set having the same phase, but the members
of each set differing in phase from those of the other
set by a quarter of a period. The components of each of
these sets give, when compounded (172), a simple har-
monic motion in a determinate direction, of determinate
amplitude, and with the common phase of its components.
Hence we obtain two simple harmonic motions in known
directions, of known amplitudes, and differing from one
another in phase by one quarter of a period. The re-
sultant motion is therefore determined by 173. Hence
the resultant of any number of component simple har-
monic motions of the same period, whatever their ampli-
tudes, directions, or phases, is elliptic harmonic motion.
177. (7) Component Svmple HarTnonic Motions differ-
ing in period. — If a point ha,ve two or more component
simple harmonic motions differing in period, the complete
determination of the resultant motion is not possible by
elementary mathematical methods. The path of the
point may however always be found by determining its
positions at a series of instants and drawing a curve
through them.
For example, let us find the path of a point F which
has two component simple harmonic motions in lines at
right angles to one another, with periods as 1:2, the
simple harmonic motion of longer period having zero
epoch, and that of shorter period an epoch 37r/2. Let AA\
BB' be the given lines at right angles to one another.
120
KINEMATICS.
[177
GA and CB the given amplitudes of the simple harmonic
motions in these lines. Let the simple harmonic motion
in AA' be the one of longer period. The component
displacement of P from G at zero of time in A A' is GA.
Z' ^
^ ^
1
H K
\
/
f
\
1
d
" \
/c
b a
\
\
/
\
/
\
3 F
/
Y \
L M
/
V ^
V y
Since the epoch of the simple harmonic motion in BB' is
3'7r/2, the component displacement of P from G in BE at
the same instant must be zero, and its component motion
must be from G towards B. Hence the position of , P at
zero of time is A. To find other points in the path we
may divide AA' and BB' into portions requiring equal
times for their description. This may be done by de-
scribing semi-circles on A A' and BB' as diameters, dividing
the semi-circles into a convenient number (say six) of
equal arcs and dropping perpendiculars from the points
of section on the respective diameters. Let Ba, a/S, ^G,
Gy, etc., be portions of BB', thus determined, requiring
equal times for their description, and let Aa, ah, bC, etc.,
be similar portions of AA'. Through B, a, /3, y, S, B'
draw lines parallel to AA', and through A, a, b, c, d, A'
draw lines parallel to BB'.
Since the simple harmonic motion in AA' is the one
of longer period, a component displacement in AA' is
accompanied by one in BB' of double the amount.
179 ] TKANSLATION :— HARMONIC MOTION. 121
Hence, while P undergoes the displacement Aa in the
line AA', it undergoes the displacement Ca in BB'. Hence
P moves from A ;to B. Similarly the component dis-
placements ab an4 aB + Ba occur in the same time.
Hence P moves from B to K Similarly bC and aC, Co
and CS, cd and SB'+B'S, dA' and SO, A'd arid Ga, dc and '
oB + Ba. cC and aC, Cb and CS, ha and ^5'+5'^, and a A
and ^(7 are pairs of displacements occurring in the same
time. And hence the path passes through the following
points in order, via. A, D, E, C, F, G, A', H, K, C, L, M, A,
and will be approkimately represented by a smooth curve
through these points.
The figures on next page represent a few paths of points
having two component simple harmonic motions in lines
at right angles to one another and differing in period and
epoch. The ratio of the periods is indicated at the left
of the row of figures to which it refers. The component
simple harmonic piotion of shorter period is horizontal.
Its epoch is indicated in each case. The epoch of the
vertical simple harmonic motion is zero.
178. If the periods of component simple harmonic
motions are commensurable, at the end of a period which
is their least common multiple the resultant displace-
ment of the moving point from the mean position will be
the same as at the beginning of the period ; and the path
will return into itself, forming a closed curve. If the
periods be not ciammensurable, the path will not thus
form a closed curve.
179. If the ratio of the periods of two component
simple harmonic motions is very nearly a simple ratio,
but not exactly, the path very nearly returns into itself ;
and it is clearly the same as if the periods were thus
simply related, with the difference of epoch slowly in-
creasing, the simple haimonic motion with the shorter
period gradually gaining in epoch on the othei'. Hence
122
KINEMATICS.
[179
|:|(M
181] TRANSLATION: CONSTRAINED MOTION. 123.
the point will very nearly pass through all the paths of a
point with component simple harmonic motions having
periods in the given ratio and of the given amplitudes
and directions, with all differences of epoch. Thus, if the
amplitudes and the directions are as represented in
175, the periods being very nearly equal, and if at a given
instant the phases are the same, the point will first oscil-
late in a very elongated ellipse about QE. The ellipse
will gradually open out through HKLM to ABA'B', and
passing through all such forms as OPQN will gradually
come to oscillate in BF. It will then open out again
and retrace nearly the same ellipses in the opposite
direction, passing through OPQN', ABA'B', and KLMN
until it again oscillates in the line GE. Similarly, if the
periods be very nearly as 1:2, the path of the moving
point will gradually pass through the series of forms-
represented on p. 122.
180. Paths similar to those represented on p. 122 are
traced out most simply by the aid of Blackburn's pen-
dulum, which consists of a bob hung by a Y-shaped
arrangement of wires GBEB, the ends
G and D being attached at points in
a horizontal line. Thus hung, the
bob oscillates in a direction perpen-
dicula.r to the plane GBEB, about
the axis GB. In this plane it
oscillates about E. Hence (187) B
has two component simple harmonic
motions at right angles to one another and of different-
periods. The difference of period may be made what we-
please by properly adjusting the lengths of the wires..
If the bob be provided with a funnel containing sand
or ink, it will leave a tracing of its path.
181. Constrained Motion under given Accelerations^
— We take next certain cases of the motion of a point
under conditions of constraint (see 138).
124: KINEMATICS. [ 181
(1) Motion on an Inclined Plane under Uniform
Acceleration. — Let a point having a uniform acceleration
■a, whose direction is OA, be constrained to remain iu a
plane whose inclination to OA is y. From
A draw AB perpendicular to the plane
and meeting it in B. Then the angle
A OB is y. The effective component of the
acceleration in the plane is a cos y in the
>B direction OB. For the component normal
to the plane cannot affect motion in it.
Hence the motion of the point will be
rectilinear or parabolic according to the
direction of the initial velocity, and will
be determined by the equations of 140 and
" 142-150, a cosy being, the acceleration in
Ihe formulae of those articles instead of a. In the case
in which the acceleration is that due to the weight of
a body, OA is vertical and the, given plane OB may
have any inclination.
182. The speed gained by the point in moviug on the
given plane through the distance OB is equal to that
which would be gained in moving in the direction of the
acceleration OA, through a distance which is the pi'ojec-
-tion of OB on OA. To prove this, draw BG from B
perpendicular to OA. Then, calling OB I, 00 h, the
initial speed V, and the speed at B v, we have
t)2 _ y2 = 2al cos y.
Had the point moved from to C with the same initial
.-speed its speed v' at would have been such that
^'2 —Y^— 2ah = 2al cos y.
Hence v' = v.
183. The times required to produce these changes of
rspeed are of course different. Thus, if t, t' are the times
184 ] TRANSLATION : CONSTRAINED MOTION. 1 2 5'
required by the point to. move from to G and from O
to B respectively, we have
v=V+at, and v=V+at'cosy.
Hence t = t'cos y.
184. Eoca/m/ples.
(1) A point having a constant acceleration of 24 ft.-sec. units is.
constrained to move in a direction in which its speed changes in 1
min. from 10 to 250 yds. per sec. Find the inclination of its direc-
tion of motion to that of the given acceleration.
Ans. 60°.
(2) A heavy particle (gr=32) is projected* up an inclined plane-
whose inclination to the horizon is .30°. Find the distance traversed
during a change of speed from 48 to 16 ft. per sec.
Ans. 64 ft.
(3) A railway carriage has, when 1 mile up an incline of 1 in 50
{i.e., one having an inclination to the horizon of sin~'--s-^, an upward
velocity of 30 miles per hou.r. (a) In what time will it come to a
standstill ? (6) If it afterwards run back, with what speed will it
reach the foot of the incline ? (Take 9 = 32.)
Ans. (a) 1 min. 8"75 sec. ; (6) 63'5 miles per hour.
(4) A body slides from rest down a smooth sloping roof and then
falls to the ground. The length of the slope is 18 ft., its inclination
to the horizon 30°, and the height of its lowest point from the
ground 40 ft. Find the distance from the foot of the wall to the-
point where the body reaches the ground. (Take =32.)
Ans. 15;v/3ft.
(5) The times in which heavy particles slide from rest down
inclined planes of equal height are proportional to their lengths^
(The length of an inclined plane is the distance between its highest
* In these problems friction and other forms of resistance are not
to be taken into account. Also, the motion on an inclined plane is-
always supposed to be in the direction of greatest slope, unless-
specially stated to be in some other direction.
126 KINEMATICS. [ ISi
and lowest points ; its height is the distance between horizontal
planes through these points.)
(6) If heavy particles slide down the sides of a right-angled
triangle whose hypothenuse is vertical, they will acquire speeds
proportional to the sides.
(7) The times required by heavy particles to descend in straight
lines from the highest point in the circumference of a vertical circle
to all other points in the circumference are the same.
iTor, if d is the diameter of the circle and the inclination to the
vertical diameter of any chord through the highest point, the com-
ponent acceleration in the direction of the chord is g cos 9, and the
length of the chord is dcosS. Hence, ii t is the time in which
a, particle would fall from rest down this .chord,
dcose=^yt^cos 6 and t= sf^dfg.
Thus t is independent of d and is therefore the same for all chords
through the highest point of the circle.
(8) The times required by heavy particles to descend in straight
lines to the lowest point in the circumference of a vertical circle
from all other points in the circumference are the same.
(9) If any focal chord PQ oi a. parabola be vertical, and the tan-
gents TP, TQ be drawn, heavy particles starting simultaneously
from rest at P and T, and falling along the lines PQ, TQ respec-
tively, will reach Q at the same instant.
(10) A number of heavy particles start without velocity from a
common position and slide down straight lines in various directions:
Show that the locus of the points reached by them with a given
speed is a horizontal plane, and that of the points reached by
them in a given time is a sphere whose highest point is the starting
point.
(11) Show that, if a circle be drawn touching a horizontal straight
line in a point P and a given curve in a point Q {P and the curve
being in the same vertical plane and P being higher than §), PQ is
the line of quickest descent to the curve (i.e., a heavy particle
requires less time to fall from P to the curve along this line than
along any other).
185] TRANSLATION: CONSTRAINED MOTION. 127
(12) Find the straight line of quickest descent from a given point
to a given straight line, the point and the line being in the same
vertical plane.
Ans. From P, the given point, draw a horizontal line meeting
-1 B, the given line {A being higher than B), in C, From CB cut off
CD equal to CP. PD is the required line.
(13) Show that if, from a given point in the same plane as a given
vertical circle and outside it, a straight line be drawn to the lowest
point of the circle, the part intercepted between the given point
and the circle is the line of quickest descent from the one to
the other.
(14) Find the loci of points, (a) inside, and (6) outside, a given ver-
tical circle, which are such that the times of falling from them down
lines of quickest descent to the given circle may have a given value.
Ans. (a) a circle, (6) a circle.
(15) A given point P is in the same plane with a given vertical
circle and outside it, the highest point Q of the circle being lower
than P. Find the line of slowest descent from P to the circle.
Ans. Join PQ and produce it to meet the circumference in R.
PR is the required line.
185. (2) Motion in a Curved Path under a Uniforin
Acceleration. — Let OC be the curved path and OA the
direction of the acceleration
a. Since any small portion
P^P^ of the curve may be
considered to be a straight
line, the change of speed of
the moving point between Pj
and Pj is (181) the same as
it would have been had the
point moved from M^ to M^,
M^M^ being the projection of P^P^ on OA. Hence
also the change of speed which the moving point under-
goes in traversing a finite portion of its path PQ is
the same as it would undergo in traversing pq, the pro-
128
KINEMATICS.
[185
jection of PQ on a line in the direction of the acceleration.
Hence, if V is the speed at P and v that at Q,
v^—V'^ = 'la . pq.
186. If a point moving under a uniform acceleration
is constrained to remain on a surface, it must move in a
plane curve which is the section of that surface by a
plane through the position of the point at any instant
and containing the directions of the acceleration and of
the velocity at that instant.
187. (3) Motion of a Point constrained to remain on a
Spherical Surface under a Uniform Acceleration. — This
is the case of the Simple Pendulum, which consists of a
small body (called the bob) attached to a fixed point by
an inextensible string. — Let G be the
centre of the spherical surface, GA
the radius whose direction is that of
the acceleration of the moving, point.
Let P be any position of the point.
P's acceleration a may be resolved
into two rectangular components in
the plane PGA, one, acosO (angle
AGP — 6), normal to the spherical
surface at P, and the other, asm 6,
tangential to it and towards A.
'' The normal component cannot aifect
the motion in the spherical surface. The motion of P
therefore depends upon the other.
If P's velocity at any instant is wholly in the plane
PGA, its acceleration being also wholly in that plane, its
path must be the circle PAQ. How it will move in that
path it in general requires high mathematical methods to
determine. But the problem is easily solved for the
special case in which 6 is so small that it may be con-
sidered equal to sin 6. In that case P's tangential accele-
ration is aO, or if the length of GA be I, ax. are AP/l.
188 TRANSLATION: CONSTEAINED MOTION. 129
It is therefore directly proportional to the displacement
of P from A (measured along the path). P's motion is
consequently simple harmonic about A as centre (164).
The period of the motion is thus (163)
27r'v/displacement -r- tangential acceleration.
For a displacement of arc AF the tangential acceleration
is a X arc AFll. Hence, if T is the period,
\l
^=Wi
and is independent of the amplitude.
The time of oscillation of a pendulum swinging in a
vertical plane is usually taken to be half the period,
i.e., to be the time between the instants at which the
pendulum reaches opposite ends of its oscillation. Thus
the seconds' pendulum is one making a complete oscilla-
tion in 2 seconds.
If Q is not indefinitely small, sin Q is less than 0. The
tangential acceleration therefore increases less rapidly
than the displacement ; and the period of the oscUlation,
which will be approximately simple harmonic if Q is com-
paratively small, will increase with Q.
188. If P's velocity at any instant is not wholly in the
plane PGA, it may be resolved into two components, one
in the plane PGA and the other perpendicular to it, and
both tangential to the spherical surface. Hence, in the
case in which 6 is indefinitely small, P's motion may be
resolved into two simple harmonic motions of the same
period; and its motion is therefore (174) elliptic harmonic
motion, the period being the common period of the com-
ponents, the particular ellipse described being dependent
upon the amplitude and epoch of the components, and
therefore upon the magnitude and direction of the point's
initial velocity.
130 KINEMATICS. [189
189. If 6 is not indefinitely small, and if the component
motions are of different amplitudes, the periods will have
different values. If they are very nearly equal, the point
P {i.e., the pendulum bob) will go through the motions
described in 179.
190. In the case in which the Component motions are
equal in amplitude, and therefore in period, and differ in
phase by one quarter period, the point P moves (17.3)
in a circle about the foot of the perpendicular on GA
(187), as centre. This is the case of the conical pendu-
lum (320, Ex. 19).
191. Exainples.
(1) Find the time of oscillation of a pendulum 20 ft. long at a
place at which 5'=32'2 ft. -sec. units.
Ans. 2"47... sec.
(2) Find the length of the seconds' pendulum at a place at which
5r=31-9.
Ans. 3-232... ft.
(3) Find the length of the pendulum which makes 24 beats in 1
min. where g'=32'2.
Ans. 20-39... ft.
(4) A seconds' pendulum is lengthened 1 per cent. How much
does it lose per day ?
Ans. 7 min. 8-8... sec.
(5) The length of the seconds' pendulum being 99-414 cm., find
the value of g.
Ans. 981-17 cm. -sec. units.
(6) A pendulum 37-8 inches long makes 182 beats in 3 min. Find
the value of g.
Ans. 31-78.., ft.-sec. units.
(7) If two pendulums at the same place make 25 and 30 oscilla-
tions respectively in 1 sec, what are their relative lengths ?
Ans. 1-44:1.
192] TRANSLATION: CONSTRAINED MOTION. 131
(8) A pendulum which beats seconds at one place is carried to
another where it gains 2 sec. per day. Compare the values of g at
these places.
Ans. As 0-999953... : 1.
(9) A pendulum which beats seconds at the sea-level is carried to
the top of a mountain where it loses 40'1 sec. per day. Assuming
the value of g to be inversely proportional to the distance from the
centre of the earth, and the sea-level to be 4,000 miles from that
point, find the height of the mountain.
Ans. 1'86... miles.
1&2. (4) Motion of a 'point constrained to remain in a
cycloid, the acceleration being uniform, in the direction
of the axis, and towards the vertex. — A cycloid is the
curve traced by a point in the circumference of a circle
which rolls along a straight line. If the circle EP roll
along the line AB, starting from that position ijj which
P the point in its circumference is at A, P's path will
be the cycloid AGB. If (7 is the position of P when
the diameter of the circle through P is perpendicular to
AB, GD (perpendicular to AB) is called the axis of the
cycloid, and the point G its vertex.
Let the moving point Q have at Q^ a speed zero. Its
speed V at Q^ is (185) such that, a being the acceleration,
'i^ = 2a.N'^A^„
iVjiVj being the projection of Q^Q^ on GD. Let t be the
time in which the point would, with the same accelera-
132 KINEMATICS. [192
fcion and with initial speed zero, move from D to G.
ThenCD = Jai2 Hence
Now by a property of the cycloid
and WL .GN,==GQ^.
Hence ^'' = \{GQ^-CQi)-
Now t^ being equal to 2GB/a is a constant. Hence (163-4)
the motion of Q in the cycloid is simple harmonic, the
tangential acceleration a' of Q (in other words the rate of
change of speed of Q) being such that l/fi=a'/s, where s
is the distance of Q from G, measured along the curve. If
T is the period of the oscillation (double) of Q,
y a V 0.
The time of describing any arc of the cycloid may be
determined as shown in 163.
If if is the time occupied in moving from Q^ to G,
t'--
TT I2GJJ
= 2V^-
As this expression involves only constant quantities, the
time is the same whatever be the position of the starting
point Qj. Hence the cycloid is called a tautochrone.
193. This result is rendered of practical importance by
one of the properties of the cycloid, viz., that if a flexible
and inextensible string AB having one end fixed at A be
wrapped tightly round the semi-cycloid AG, the end B
193]
TRANSLATION : — CONSTRAINED MOTION.
133
will, as the string kept tight is unwrapped, describe
another semi-cycloid. If therefore AG and AD are fixed
semi-cycloids symmetrically placed about a vertical line
through A and AB a simple pendulum, and if B is made
to oscillate in the plane of GAD, B will describe a cycloid,
and its oscillations will consequently be isochrqnous what-
ever their extent.
134 KINEMATICS. [194
CHAPTER V.
ROTATION.
194. We have called a translation any motion of a
body which is such that its various points move through
equal distances in the same direction. If then one point
of the body be fixed, there can be no translation. The
motion of which it is capable under these circumstances
will be more or less complex according as its parts can or
cannot move relatively to one another. We restrict our-
selves here to the case of bodies whose parts cannot move
relatively to one another, or, as they are called, rigid
bodies. The motion of which a rigid body or system
of points is capable when one point is fixed is called
rotation.
195. It will be evident that, whatever may be the
motion of such a system, straight lines through given
points of the systein must remain straight lines of un-
changed length and inclination, and planes must continue
to be planes of unchanged form, area, and inclination.
It will also be evident that the motions of two points
which are indefinitely near must be indefinitely nearly
the same.
196. The positions of all the points of a rigid system
whose configuration is known are determined if the
198] ROTATION. 135
positions are known of any three points which do not
lie in the same straight line.
For let the positions of three
points, A, B, and G be known.
Then that of their plane is known
also; and consequently the posi-
tion of any fourth point E is
known, for it must maintain given
fixed distances from this plane and
from every point in it.
197. If therefore one point J. of a rigid system is fixed,
the specification of the positions of two other points B and
C, not in the same straight line with the fixed point,
determines the position of the system. Now A's position
being fixed, and the distance of B from A being given,
B's position is known, if the direction of AB is known.
And the direction of AB can be described (3) by a state-
ment of the magnitudes of two angles. Hence, J.'s position
being given, B'& position is determined by two numbers.
B's position being given, and <7's distance from B, G'a
position is known if the direction of BG is known. Now
to determine this direction one angle, viz., ABG, is already
known, (the three sides of the triangle ABC being known).
Hence one other angle determines G'a position. Hence,
also, the positions of A and B being given, one number
determines that of G. If therefore the position of one
point of a rigid system is fixed, the positions of any other
two points not in the same straight line with the first,
and therefore the position of the rigid system itself, are
determined by three numbers.
198. Degrees of Freedom. — The position of a rigid
system with one point fixed being described by three
numbers, any change of position will be described by the
changes which these numbers undergo. Any motion of
a rigid system, one point of which is fixed, may therefore
136 KINEMATICS. [198
be specified by three numbers; and such a system is
consequently said to have three degrees of freedom.
199. Rotations. — If a line passing through the fixed
point of a rigid system be also fixed both in the system
and in space, the various points of the
body can move only in circular arcs,
these arcs being in planes perpendicu-
lar to the given fixed line, and their
centres being the intersections with the
fixed line, of perpendiculars on it from
the various points. Thus, if A be the
fixed point, and AB a fixed line of the system, any point
G can move only in a plane through C perpendicular to
AB, and its path must be a circular arc whose centre is
I) the foot of the perpendicular from G on AB, and whose
radius is BG.
The angle between the final and initial positions of BG
is (126) the angular displacement of G about AB. As all
planes of a rigid system must remain planes, and must
maintain their mutual inclination, the angular displace-
ments of all the points of the system about AB must be
the same as that of G. This angular displacement is
therefore called the angular displacement of the system
about AB.
Even if the line AB fixed in the system be not fixed
in space, a motion of the system may be specified by
reference to AB, and in that case also the various points
of the system must move in circular arcs relatively to AB,
though relatively to a line fixed in space they may have
a much more complex motion.
The motion of a rigid system with one point fixed
about a line through that point and fixed in the system,
is called a rotation of the system about the fixed line,
and the fixed line is called the axis of the rotation. A
rotation is thus completely specified if the direction of
201] ROTATION. 137
the fixed line is given, the sense of the rotation about it,
and the magnitude of the angular displacement. It is
thus a vector, and may be completely represented by a
straight line, whose length is proportional to the angular
displacement and whose direction is that of the axis,
provided also that the line be so drawn from the fixed
point that an observer looking along it toward the fixed
point will see the perpendicular from any point of the
system on the axis in moving from its initial to its final
position move counter-clockwise.
200. Composition of Successive Rotations. — A rigid
body with one point fixed undergoes successive rotations;
it is required to determine the resultant rotation. The
given rotations may be about the same or about different
axes.
(a) About the same axis. It is obvious that the resul-
tant of any number of successive rotations about the same
axis is equal to their algebraic sum.
It follows that any rotation about a given axis may be
broken up into any number of successive rotations
about the same axis, provided the algebraic sum of their
magnitudes is equal to the magnitude of the given
rotation.
201. (6) About different axes. As these axes must pass
through the fixed point they must be inclined to each
other. The angular displacements about them may be
finite or indefinitely small.
First, let the rotations be finite. Let be the fixed
point of the system, OA and OB, drawn so as to indicate
the sense of the rotation, the axes fixed in the system
about which the rotations occur, and 6 and ^ the mag-
nitudes of these rotations respectively. Make OA equal
to OB. Then during the motion A and B move on the
138
KINEMATICS.
[201
surface of a sphere. Let OA^, OB^ be the initial positions
of OA and OB in space, and let OB^ be the position in
space of OB after the rotation about OA, the rotation
about OA occurring first. Join A^B^, AJB^, BJB^ by great
circles of the sphere. Then angle B^A^B^ = d. Bisect
this angle by a great circle meeting Bfi^ in D. Draw a
great circle through B^, inclined to B.^^ at the angle ^/2
and meeting A J) in the point C,. It is obvious from the
symmetry of the sphere about a plane through its centre
that a point C^ can be found on the other side of B^^
from Cj, whose position is such that Bfi^ = Bfi^, Afi^ = ,
Afi„ angle A^Bfi,==r.
215. The angular velocity of a system is measured in
terms of the same unit as the angular velocity of a
point (128).
216. Composition of Angular Velocities. — If a rigid
system with one point fixed have any number of com-
ponent angular velocities of given magnitudes and direc-
tions, we may prove, by reasoning similar to that employed
in determining the law of the composition of linear
velocities, that their resultant is to be determined accord-
ing to the same law. We have therefore propositions .
called the parallelogram, the triangle, and the polygon of
angular velocities of the same form as the similar pro-
positions for linear velocities. The reader can easily
construct them for himself
217. All the deductions from these propositions made
in the case of linear velocities may also be made in that
of angular velocities ; and hence all the formulae of 85-90
apply to angular velocities, d^, d^, etc., being now the mag-
nitudes of the component angular velocities and R the
magnitude of the resultant.
218. It follows also that angular velocities may be
resolved after the same manner as linear velocities or
displacements (79-84).
219. Angular Acceleration of a Rigid System. — The
angular velocity of a rigid system will in general vary
from in.stant to instant both in magnitude and direction.
The integral angular acceleration of a rigid system
during any time is that angular velocity which must be
compounded with the initial angular velocity, in oi'der to
produce the final angular velocity.
223] ROTATION. 145
The mean angular acceleration of such a system during
any time has & direction which is that of the integral
angular acceleration, and a magnitude which is that of
the integral angular acceleration divided by the time.
In general the mean angular acceleration will be different
for different intervals of time. If it is the same, both in
magnitude and in direction, whatever be the interval of
time, the system is said to be rotating with uniform
angular acceleration.
The instantaneous angular acceleration of a rigid
system at a given instant has a direction and a magnitude
which are the limiting direction and the limiting magni-
tude of the mean angular acceleration between that
instant and another when the interval of time between
them is made indefinitely small. The instanta,neous
angular acceleration of a rigid body is in all cases finite.
220. The angular acceleration of a system is measured
in terms of the same unit as that of a point (1 36).
221. Composition and Resolution of Angular Accele-
rations. — The laws of the composition and resolution of
angular accelerations are the counterpart of those of linear
accelerations. As the latter were deduced from the laws
of the composition of linear velocities, so may the former
be deduced from the laws of the composition of angular
velocities.
222. It follows that the relations between the magni-
tudes and inclinations of the components and the mag-
nitude and direction of the resultant, as expressed in the
formulae of 85-90, hold also for angular accelerations,
d^, d^, etc., standing now for the magnitudes of these
accelerations.
223. An angular acceleration may, like a linear accele-
ration (120), be resolved into tangential and normal
K
146 KiNEMAflCS. [223
components, i.e., into components whose respective direc-
tions coincide with, and are normal to, the instantaneous
axis of rotation ; and in the one case as in the Other, it
may be shown that the normal component determines
the change of the direction of the angular velocity, i.e.,
the change of the direction of the instantaneous axis^
while the other component is equal to the rate of change
of the magnitude of the angular velocity.
If therefore a rotating body have an angular accel-
eration which is continually perpendicular to its axis
of rotation, its angular velocity will change in direc-
tion but not in magnitude. If it have an acceleration
which has the same direction as its angular velocity, the
direction of the rotation will be constant, and the rate of
change of the magnitude of its angular velocity will be
equal to its angular acceleration.
224. Motion under given angular accelerations, of a
rigid system with one point fixed. We may take a few
of the simpler cases of such motion.
(1) Angular acceleration zero. — If there is no accelera-
tion, the direction and magnitude of the angular velocity
must remain constant. Hence, as in 138, if w be the
angular velocity and 6 the displacement in a time t, we
have 6 = dot; and the axis of the angular displacement is
the constant axis of rotation.
225. (2) Angular acceleration constant in magnitude
and direction.
(a) Direction the same as that of the instantaneous
axis at any instant. — The directions of the acceleration
and of the instantaneous axis of rotation at a given
instant being the same, that of the instantaneous axis is
constant (140). Hence, also, the rate of change of the
magnitude of the' angular velocity is equal to the angular
acceleration. If therefore a be the magnitude of the
226] ROTATION. 147
angular acceleration, w, and Wj the initial and final angular
velocities, and the displacement in a time t, we may
obtain, as in 63-65, the formulae —
226. (6) Direction any whatever. — Let OA represent
in direction the initial angular y,
velocity w, OB that of the angular
acceleration «, the angle AOB be-
tween their directions being (p. In
the plane of OA and OB draw 00
perpendicular to OA. The com-
ponents of the acceleration in the
directions OA and 00 are thus
a cos and a sin (f>. °
To find the angular velocity after any time t we know
that its components about OA and OG are w-J-a^cos^
and at sin ^ respectively. Hence, if Q is its magnitude,
0= {(ftj+aicos Y}i.
Also, if 1^ is the angle made by its direction with 00,
^ at sin
To find the angular displacement after any time t, we
know that the component displacements about OA and
OG respectively are wt+^af cos . Hence,
if 6 is the magnitude of the resultant,
e=iiwt+ ^at^cos about a
given axis and a linear velocity v in a plane perpendicular
249] MOTIOU" OF RIGID SYSTEMS. 159
to the given axis is an equal angular velocity about a
parallel axis distant vfte in a direction perpendicular to
that of V.
248. Hence also a given angular velocity w may be re-
solved into an equal angular velocity about a parallel
axis distant din a. given direction, together with a linear
velocity equal to dto perpendicular to the plane of the
axes.
249. Composition of Angular Velocities about Parallel
Axes. — By the aid of this result, we may determine
the resultant of two component angular velocities about
parallel axes. Let A, B be the parallel axes, d the
distance between them, w^t m.^ ^^^ angular velocities about
A, B respectively. Then the angular velocity w^ about A
is equivalent to an equal angular velocity about B with a
linear velocity perpendicular to the plane of the axes and
equal to cZw^. The given angular velocities about A and
B are therefore equivalent to an angular velocity equal to
their sum about B together with the linear velocity equal
to rfwj. Similarly, an angular velocity of Wj+Wj about
B is equivalent to a linear velocity — dw^ with an
angular velocity w^+w^ about a parallel axis G, distant
^Scoj/Cwi+ftJa) from B in the direction AB, and therefore
dwj(a)j^+w^ in the direction BA. Hence, as positive, and
negative equal translations destroy one another, the two
angular velocities Wj and ca^, about parallel axes A and B
respectively, are equivalent to an angular velocity Wj+w^
about a parallel axis through in the same plane as A
and B, whose distance from 5 is dwj((i)^+a>^,a,nd from A
d — doojicoj^+w^), and which therefore intersects the line
BA so that BG:CA= w, : w^.
If the component angular velocities about A and B are
equal and opposite, Wj + Wa = 0, and doi)J(u)^ + Wg) = o) . The
axis of the resultant angular velocity is thus at an infinite
distance; in other words, the resultant velocity is a trans-
160 KINEMATICS. [249
lational velocity in a direction perpendicular to the plane
of A and B.
250. Composition of Linear and Angular Accelera-
tions. — As in 116, it may be shown that the laws of the
composition of linear and angular velocities apply also to
linear and angular accelerations.
251. Motion of a Rigid System under given Accelera-
tions. — -The resultant linear acceleration of any point of
the system and the resultant angular acceleration being-
known, together with the initial velocities, the displace-
ment and the final velocities of the s^'stem may be deter-
mined by 138-180 and 224-226. In practical problems
the angular accelerations are usually known about axes
fixed in the body. Of such cases we must restrict our-
selves (227) to those in which the axes fixed in the body
have also fixed directions in space.
252. Oeometrical Representation of the Motion of a
Rigid Lamina in its own Plane. — The instantaneous
centre of such a lamina occupies at any instant a definite
position both in the lamina itself and in space ; but from
instant to instant its positions, both in the system and in
space, change. By 295 the successive positions in the
case of a body must be indefinitely near ; and therefore
the series of positions of the instantaneous centre in the
system forms one curve and the series of positions in
space forms another. At each instant these curves must
be in contact, the points of the curves in contact being
the positions of the instantaneous centre at the given
instant. Hence the motion of a rigid plane system in its
own plane may be geometrically represented by the roll-
ing of a curve fixed in the system on a curve fixed in
space. This conception is of great use in the treatment
of some of the more difficult problems of the motion of
rigid systems.
254] MOTION OF RIGID SYSTEMS. 161
253. Motion of Rigid SysteTns under Constraint.' —
If two or more bodies are connected together in any way
they form a system, the motion of any one member of
which, thus subjected to constraint, depends upon the
position and the motions of the others. In such cases it
may be required to determine the instantaneous axis of
rotation of any one member, to find relations between
the velocities of various members of the system, etc. We
may illustrate such cases by a few examples. Readers
who wish a thorough treatment of the constrained motion
of rigid bodies should study works on the Kinematics of
Machinery.
254. ExaTnples.
(1) The line BE moves, keeping its extremities in two fixed lines
ADB, A EC. Find the instantaneous centre and the direction of
motion of any point G in DE, when DE occupies any given position.
From D and E draw DF and EF perpendicular to AB and AC
and meeting in F. F is the instantaneous centre (233); for in-
definitely small displacements of D and E have the same directions
as AB and AC respectively, and their middle points coincide'
ultimately with D and E. Join OF. The line through per-
pendicular to GF is the direction of G's motion at the given instant.
(2) A rod DE falling with its ends in contact with two other
rods, one ADB vertical and the other AEC horizontal, is inclined
30° to the horizontal rod. Find (a) the direction of motion of the
middle point of DE, and (6) the point of the rod whose motion is
inclined 30° to AG.
Ans. {a) Inclined 60° to AC ; (h) DEI4, from E.
(3) A rod moves so that its end points remain in a given circle.
Show the centre of the circle to be the instantaneous centre of the
motion.
(4) Find the ratio of the velocity of any point of a screw to its
velocity of advance. [The screw consists of a convex or concave
cylinder with one or more helical projections called threads winding
round it, the inclination of the thread to the axis of the cylinder
being constant. The pitch of a screw with one or more threads
L
162
KINEMATICS.
[254
is the distance between successive windings of the same thread
measured parallel to the axis of the cylinder.]
If AB be equal to the pitch of the screw, and if BC, perpendicular
to AB, be equal to the circumference of a right section of the
cylinder, then the straight line AC will represent in length and
inclination to 45 a single winding of the thread. For only the
straight line CA has its end points at C and A and is equally
inclined throughout to BG and therefore to a line perpendicular to
BC. If the screw advance through the distance .S.4, every point in
its surface will move through the distance CA ; and if the scrpw
advance through any fraction ot BA, each point on its surface will
move through a distance which is the same fraction of CA. Hence
the ratio of the velocity of any point on its surface to its velocity
of advance is CAjBA, or, if p is the pitch and r the radius of the
screw, (p2+45rV)i/p.
(5) Two bodies hang by strings from the wheel and the axle
^ respectively of the simple machine called
the Wheel and Axle. Find the ratio of
the magnitudes of their velocities. [The
_ jj Wheel and Axle consists of a rigid cylinder
AB, moveable about its axis CD, and havv
ing different diameters at different parts
A and B, called respectively the wheel and
the axle. In a simple form of it the axis
is horizontal, and strings attached to the
wheel and the axle respectively and
wrapped round them in opposite direc-
tions, carry heavy bodies, one of which therefore rises when the
other falls.]
Ans. Rjr, if R is the radius of the wheel and r that of the axle.
(6) Two bodies A and B are connected by means of a system of
pulleys represented in the figure, one, C, being moveable, the other
254]
MOTION OF RIGID SYSTEMS.
163
D, being fixed. Express the angular velocity of C in terms of (a)
the velocity v of B, and (6) the velocity 'd oi A. \A. ptdley is a con-
trivance for changing the direction of a string. It usually takes the
form of a grooved wheel or sheaf, whose axis is fixed in a frame-
work or block, the block being sometimes fixed, sometimes moveable.]
Ans. (a) vjir ; (6) ifjr, where r is the radius of C.
(7) Two bodies D and E are connected by means of the System
T
r ^
7
A
(Fig. of Ex. 6.)
of pulleys represented in the figure, A
being a fixed block with four sheaves,
B a moveable block with three sheaves,
and the string being fastened at C and
passed round sheaves in A and B alter-
nately until it has passed round them
all. Compare the velocities of D and E,
and find the radii of the sheaves that
' their angular velocities may be the
same.
If the distance between B and A is
increased by any amount, the lengths of
the plies 1... 7 must be diminished each
(Fig. of Ex. 7.)
by one-seventh of that amount. Hence, if v is the velocity of Z), and
164 KINEMATICS. [254
v' that of E, i! = 7v'. If the sheaves have all the same radius r, they
-will have different angular velocities. Let Wj, Uj, etc., be the angu-
lar velocities of the first, second, etc., sheaves met with in passing
along the cord from C to D. Then u^=v'/r. As twice as much
cord passes round the second sheaf as round the first, i>i2=2v'/r.
Similarly w^=Zv'lr, and so on. That the angular velocities may be
the same, the radii of the 1st, 2nd... Ji* sheaves must be as the
numbers 1, 2... n respectively.
(8) AB, BC, CD are three rigid rods jointed to one another at B
and C, and to fixed points at A and D, and moveable in one plane.
Find the angular velocity of CD when that of 4 i? is w. [The motion
of this system is called three-bar motion. The system is one of the
" elementary combinations " of machinery.]
Produce AB and BC to meet in K Then at any instant the
linear velocities of B and C are perpen-
dicular to AB and CD respectively. Hence
at that instant BC is rotating about E.
Now B'a linear velocity is w . AB. Hence
the angular velocity of BC about E is
aABjBE. Hence also the linear velocity
" ^ of C is laAB . ECjBE, and the angular
velocity of CD is oiAB . ECj{BE . CD).
(9) A disc (radius =/•) rolls without sliding on a plane. Find the
relation between its angular velocity w and the linear velocity v of
its centre.
The point of the disc in contact with the plane has two com-
ponent linear velocities, one the translational velocity v which it
has in common with the centre, and another equal to wr due to its
rotation about the centre. These components are in the same
straight line. Hence their resultant is equal to their algebraic
sum. But their resultant is zero. For as the disc rolls without
sliding the point of the disc in contact with the plane is instantane-
ously at rest. Hence v +
respectively, the angular velocity of the rod will be
V sin^
I. oos(-e)
166 KINEMATICS. [235
CHAPTER VII.
STRAINS.
255. We have next to discuss the motion of systems of
points whose distances from one another are variable.
Any change of configuration of such a system is called a
strain.
256. Strains may involve both translation and rotation,
i:e., there may be no point of the system which occupies
the same position in space in both the initial and the final
configurations of the system, and there may be no three
intersecting straight lines in the system whose directions
in the initial and final configurations are parallel. In
considering strains however it is usual to exclude from
consideration the translation involved, as occasioning no
difficulty. For this purpose one point of the body is
assumed to be fixed in space.
257. Homogeneous Strains. — We shall restrict our-
selves to the most simple strains to which bodies are
subjected, those, viz., which are such that the distances of
pairs of points so placed in any pax-t of the unstrained
system that the lines joining them have the same direc-
tion, are increased or diminished in the same ratio. Such
strains are called homogeneous strains.
The ratio of the distance of two points after the strain
259] STEAINS. 167
to their distance before the strain is called the ratio of the
strain for the direction of the line joining them.
The ratio of the increment of the distance of two points
to their initial distance is called the elongation of the
strain for the direction of the line joining them. The
elongations of a strain may be positive or negative.
If d and d' are the initial and final distances of two
points, a the ratio of the strain, and e its elongation, for
the direction of the line joining the points, we have thus
a = cZ'M e = {d'-d)/d.
Hence a=l+e.
258. Points which lie in straight lines before a homo-
geneous strain lie also in straight lines after the strain.
Let A, B, C be points lying in a straight line before the
strain and let A', B', C be their positions after the strain.
Then (257)
A'B'IAB = B'G'/BC= A'C'/AC.
Hence
(A'B'+B'Oy(AB+BG} = {A'B'+B'C')/AG=A'C/AC,
and hence A'B'+B'C'=A'C'.
B' is therefore a point in the straight line A'C.
259. Since all straight lines remain straight after the
strain it is clear that planes must remain planes.
168 KINEMATICS. [260
260. Lines which are parallel in the unstrained state
of the system are parallel also after the strain. — Let AB,
OD and AG, BD be pairs of intersecting parallel lines in
the unstrained system. These lines being in the same
plane before the strain must be in the same plane after it.
Also AB and CD being equal before the strain must re-
main equal. Similarly AG and BD must remain equal.
Moreover, as one portion of a material body cannot pass
through another portion, GD cannot cut AB or AG cut BD
after thestrain. Hence, HA'B'D'G' represent the strained
system, A'G' and CD' are equal respectively to D'B' and
B'A'; and A'D' being common to the two triangles A'G'D'
and D'B! A', these triangles are equal in every respect.
The angles B'A'D' and A'D'G' are therefore equal, and
likewise the angles FD'A' and UA'G'. Hence A'G' is
parallel to B'D' and A'F to G'D'.
261. Parallel straight lines remaining parallel and
straight, parallelograms must remain parallelograms,
parallel planes must remain parallel, parallelopipeds must
remain parallelopipeds, and figures which are similar and
similarly situated must remain similar and similarly
situated after the strain.
262. Since parallel straight lines must remain parallel
and must be increased or diminished in the same ratio, a
circle drawn in any part of the system must be strained
so that parallel chords remain parallel and become in-
creased or diminished in length in a given ratio. Hence
(l73) after the strain it will be an enlarged or diminished
orthogonal projection of the circle on some plane, i.e., it
263] STRAINS. 169
will be an ellipse, perpendicular diameters of the circle
having become conjugate diameters of the ellipse.
There is one pair of perpendicular conjugate diameters
in every ellipse, viz., the major and minor axes. Hence
there is one pair of perpendicular diameters in the circle
whose mutual inclination is not changed by the strain.
263. As all plane sections of a sphere are circles, a
spherical portion of the unstrained system must after the
sti'ain have the shape of a figure whose plane sections are
ellipses, i.e., of an ellipsoid.
, A cube circumscribing the sphere will become a paral-
lelopiped (in general not rectangular) circumscribing the
ellipsoid, the points of contact of the cube with the
sphere, which are the extremities of three diameters at
right angles to one another, becoming the points of con-
tact of the parallelopiped with the ellipsoid, which are
the extremities of conjugate diameters. Hence perpen-
dicular diameters of the sphere become conjugate
diameters of the ellipsoid after the strain.
There is one set of conjugate diameters of every ellip-
soid which are at right angles to one another, viz., the
principal axes. One of them is the greatest diameter,
another the least, and the third has in general an inter-
mediate value. There are thus three perpendicular
diameters of the sphere which after the strain become
the axes of the ellipsoid. Lines in their directions in the
initial configuration have the same mutual inclination in
the final configuration, though the inclination of these
lines to fixed lines in space or to lines in other directions
in the system may have changed.
The directions of the axes of the ellipsoid in the
strained system and of the corresponding rectangular
diameters in the unstrained system are called the prin-
cipal axes of the strain. The elongations in these direc-
170
KINEMATICS.
[263
tions are called the principal elongations ; the ratios of
the strain in these directions, the prvncipal ratios.
264. The ellipsoid into which any spherical portion of
the system is strained is called the strain ellipsoid. It
has obviously (257) in the case of a homogeneous strain
the same form and relative position in whatever part of
the system the sphere may be taken.
If the principal elongations of a strain are all equal,
the strain ellipsoid becomes a sphere, and the ratios of
the strain in all directions are the same as the principal
ratios. All lines in a system subjected to such a strain,
whatever may be their directions, are changed in length
in the same ratio. There is no change of form. If two
of the principal elongations are equal and the third either
greater or less than the other two, the strain ellipsoid is
a spheroid, prolate or oblate. If two of the principal
elongations are equal to zero, it is also a prolate or oblate
spheroid, its equal axes having the same length as the
diameter of the sphere.
A strain in which two of the principal elongations are
•zero is called a si/mple longitudinal strain.
265. There are two sets of parallel planes which remain
undistorted after the strain. — Let ABGD be a section of
the strain ellipsoid by a plane through the greatest and
/<
\
^>\
V .
^'
^^\. J
^<
_^^^>f
least of the principal axes. Let SOS' and TOT' be dia-
meters in this plane equal to the mean principal axis.
268] STEAINS. 171
Then the sections of the ellipsoid by planes through SOS'
and TOT' perpendicular to the plane ABGD are ellipses
with equal principal axes, i.e., circles. Hence the elonga-
tions of all lines in these planes are the same as the mean
principal elongation, and these planes therefore, and all
planes parallel to them, remain undistorted after a strain
though they may be changed in area. The axes AG and
BD evidently bisect the angles of inclination of the planes
of no distortion.
266. The ratio of the final to the initial volume of a
system homogeneously strained is the same as the ratio
of the volume of the strain ellipsoid to that of the corre-
sponding sphere. Hence, if a sphere of radius r is strained
into an ellipsoid whose principal semi-axes are a, h, c, the
ratio of the final to the initial volume of the system is
M^=?.M=a+.xi+«i+»).
if e, f, and g are the respective elongations.
If e, f, and g are so small that their products may be
neglected, we have
Hence, in the case of a small strain, the cubical dilata-
tion, or expansion per unit of volume, is equal to the sum
of the principal elongations.
267. Pure Strains. — Strains in which the initial and
final directions of the principal axes are the same, are
called pure strains. They are so called because their
characteristic property excludes the possibility of rotation.
268. Rotational Strains. — In general,, however, the
initial and final directions of the principal axes of the
strain are not the same. In all such cases, since the princi-
pal axes maintain their mutual inclinations, they may be
172 KINEMATICS. [268
brought into the positions which they occupy after the
strain, by a rotation, and the body thus rotated may then
have its final configuration given it by a pure strain.^ It
will be obvious also that the same result will be attained
if the body be first subjected to the pure strain and then
to the rotation.
269. The Shear.— If one plane of a system be held
fixed, and if the planes parallel to it be moved in their
own planes, without change of form or area, those on the
one side of the fixed plane in any one direction, and those
on the other side in the opposite direction, and all through
distances proportional to their distances from the fixed
plane, the system is said to have undergone a shear. The
amount of the shear is the relative displacement of any
two of the parallel planes divided by the distance between
them. The plane of the shear is any plane intersecting
the fixed plane normally in a line parallel to the direction
of relative motion. The direction of the shear is that of
the relative motion of the parallel planes.
Similarly, if one line of a plane system be held fixed,
and if all lines parallel to it be moved parallel to it in one
direction or the other according as they are on one side
or the other of the fixed line, and through distances pro-
portional to their distances from the fixed line, the plane
system will undergo a shear, whose plane is the plane of
the system, whose direction is that of the fixed line, and
whose amount is the relative displacement of any two
lines per unit distance between them.
Thus any parallelogram abed may be produced from
any other parallelogram ABGD on an equal base {AB=ab)
and between the same parallels {aB and Dc) by subjecting
it to a shear whose plane is the plane of the parallel lines
aB and Dc, whose direction is that of the fixed line EF
which is parallel to aB, and whose amount is the quotient
of Bd by the perpendicular distance of EF from Be.
270]
STRAINS.
.16
A familiar approximate illustration of a shear in three
dimensions is the change of configuration by which a
pack of cards initially forming a rectangular parallelo-
piped is made to take the form of a parallelepiped not
rectangular. The illustration would be exact if the cards
were indefinitely thin.
270. Homogeneity of the Shear. — Let AB and CD be
parallel lines having any direction in the unstrained
system. From their extremities let fall perpendiculars
Aa, Bh, Co, Dd on the fixed plane of the shear to which
the system is to be subjected. Let A', B', G', D' be the
positions of A, B, C, D after the shear. Then AA', BB',
GC, DD' are parallel, and
AA'/Aa = BR/Bb = GG'/Gc = DD'/Dd.
Let BA and DG produced meet the fixed plane in E and
174 KINEMATICS. [270
F respectively. Then Eah and Fed being the projections
of ^J.5 and FOB on the same plane are parallel straight
lines. Since Eah is a straight line and Aa is ^parallel to
Bh, AE/Aa = BE/Bb. Hence AA'/AE=BB'/BE; and
therefore EA'B' is a straight line. Similarly FC'JD' is a
straight line. Since EB, Bh, and hE are parallel respec-
tively to FD, Bd, and dF, the triangle EBh is similar to
the triangle i?'i)d Hence BE/Bh = BF/Bd. Hence also
BB'/BE= BB'/BF. Now BB' and 5^ are parallel to BB'
and BF respectivelv. Hence the triangle EBB' is similar
to FBB'; and therefore
A'B/AB^C'B'IOB.
Hence the lengths of the parallel lines AB and CB are
increased by the shear in the same ratio. The shear
is therefore a homogeneous strain. It has consequently
principal axes, ratios, and elongations, like all homo-
ffeneous strains.
271. It is obvious that as, in a shear, all planes of a
body parallel to a given plane are translated in their own
planes but not changed in area, there can be no change in
the volume of the body.
272. Reduction of the Shear to a Pure Strain and a
Rotation. — Let be the centre of a spherical portion of
a system subjected to a shear, AGB the intersection of
the sphere with the plane of the shear through 0, and
AB the intersection of the fixed plane with the same.
Let the system be subjected to a shear of amount s, and
such that planes parallel to the fixed plane through AB
and on the (7- ward side of AB move in the direction AB,
parallel planes on the other side oi AB moving in. the
opposiite direction. Then (270 and 262) the circle AGB
will after the shear have the form of an ellipse ABB
whose centre is ; and the sphere intersecting the plane
of the shear mAGB will become the ellipsoid intersecting
that plane in ABB. Since the distances of points of the
272]
STEAINS.
175
system from the plane of the shear through remain
constant, this plane must contain the greatest and least
principal axes of the ellipsoid. Now, by 265, EE' and
FF, the bisectors of the angles AOa and BOa respec-
tively, will be the minor and major axes of the ellipse
ADB. Hence OE, OF, and a line through 0, perpen-
dicular to both and equal to OB, are the least, greatest,
and mean principal axes of the ellipsoid.
If OC is perpendicular to AB, and CB touches the circle
at C, it will also touch the ellipse, and its point of con-
tact D will be the position of G after the shear. OB is
therefore conjugate to OB. Hence, since 00 is equal to
the perpendicular from B on OB,
OF/00=OC/OE.
Hence the circle may be brought to have the shape ot
the ellipse by elongating all chords parallel to one dia-
meter in the ratio OF/OC, and shortening all chords
perpendicular to that diameter in the ratio of OG/OF.
Let a line through- E parallel to OA meet the circle in
e. Then E is the position of e after the shear. Hence
(262) Oe and a line perpendicular to it in the plane of
AGB coincide in direction after the shear with OE and
OF. And a line through perpendicular to the plane of
AGB remains unchanged in direction. Hence these lines
176 KINEMATICS. [272
are the positions before the shear of the principal axes of
the shear. And therefore, if the sphere be first rotated
about an axis through perpendicular to the plane of
ACB, through the angle eOE, it may then be brought to
its final configuration by a pure strain whose axes are
OF, OB, and a line perpendicular to both. The ratios of
the strain in these axes are OF/ 00, 0E/0G[=1/(0F/0G)]
and 1 respectively. If OF/OG be called a, they are a, 1/a,
and 1.
273. From the symmetry of the figure it is obvious
that a shear of the same plane and amount, but with the
plane through ab as fixed plane, is equivalent to the same
pure strain as above, together with a rotation of equal
amount and about the same axis but in the opposite
direction.
Hence, rotation being neglected, the same change of
configuration is produced in a system by a shear of given
plane and amount, whether its direction be one or other
of two directions equally inclined to the greatest and
least principal axes of the shear.
274. It is obvious from 265 and 272 that planes through
AB and ab, normal to the plane of the shear, and all
planes parallel to these planes respectively, are both un-
distorted and unchanged in area by each (273) of the
above shears. Hence in any body subjected to a shear
there are two sets of planes which are unchanged in area
and form, these sets of planes being equally inclined to
the greatest and least principal axes and parallel to the
mean principal axis.
275. It is obvious also, with the aid of the above, that
Oe may be brought to coincide in direction with OH, its
length remaining unchanged, either by a rotation about
an axis through perpendicular to the plane J. (75, through,
the angle eOE, or by a shear of the amount GD/CO in the
277] STKAINS. 177
plane AGB, and in the direction OD, together with a pure
strain whose ratios in the principal axes OF, OE have the
values OG/'OF and OC/OE respectively, and in a direction
perpendicular to both, the value unity.
276. The amount s of the shear may be expressed in
terms of its principal ratios or elongations. By a pro-
perty of the ellipse (Fig. of 272)
OI)^+OB^ = OF^+OE^
Hence OI)^ = OF^+OE^-OG\
and GI)^=0F^.+0E^-20G\
and (272) GD'' = OF^+ 0E^-20E . OF
= {OF-OE)\
Hence GD/OG=s=OF/OG-OE/OG=a-l/a.
If e is the greatest principal elongation (257),
8 = 1 + 6-1/(1+6).
If the shear be indefinitely small, we have
l/(l+e) = l-e,
and hence s = 2e.
Also, when the shear is indefinitely small, OG, OD and
Oa (Fig. of 272) ultimately coincide. Hence Oa is at
right angles to OA, and therefore (265) is inclined to OE
and OF at angles of 45°.
Hence, if a system be subjected to a strain consisting of
two indefinitely small elongations, one e in any direction,
and the other — e in a perpendicular direction, the resul-
ting strain is a shear whose amount is 2e, whose plane is
that of the two rectangular directions, and whose direction
bisects the angle between them.
277. Examples.
(1) Show that, if rotation be left out of account, a small simple
elongation e in any direction is equivalent to a uniform cubical
M
178 KINEMATICS. [277
dilatation together with two shears, ea,ch having the given direction
for one principal axis and lines at right angles to it and to each
other for the other axes ; and determine the magnitude of the dila-
tation and the amounts of the shears. — Let OA be the direction of
,D the simple elongation and OD a cube of which
OA is an edge. The elongation e in the direc-
tion OA is equivalent to three elongations in
the same direction, each having the magni-
tude e/3. As there are no elongations in the
directions OB and OC perpendicular to OA
and to each other, we may regard the cube as subjected to two
elongations in each of these directions, having the magnitudes e/3
and - «/3. Now an elongation e/3 in each of the three rectangular
directions OA, OB, and OC is (266) equivalent to a uniform cubical
dilatation of the magnitude e. Also, the elongation e/3 in the direc-
tion of 0.4 with the elongation -e/3 in the direction of OB are
equivalent (276) to a shear whose principal axes are these lines and
whose amount is 2e/3 ; and similarly the remaining elongation e/3 in
the direction of OA with the remaining elongation —e/3 in the
direction of OC are equivalent to a shear whose principal axes are
OA and OC, and whose amount is 2e/3.
(2) Show that, if a square be subjected to a small shear whose
axes are in the directions of its diagonals, it becomes a rhom-
bus whose sides are equal to those of the square and whose angles
differ from right angles by S radians, B being the amount of the
shear.
(3) Investigate the strain in the case of a uniform circular cylinder
of length I fixed at one end and having its other end twisted through
an angle 8. This form of strain is called Torsion.
The cylinder being uniform, every noi-mal section of it will rotate
about its axis ; and, 9/Z being the amount of the twist per unit
length of the cylinder, the amount of the rotation of any section
will be the product of Sjl into its distance from the fixed end
of the cylinder. Hence, also, any normal section will be twisted
relatively to any other normal section distant d from it through an
angle edil.
Let .4 a be the axis of the cylinder, ABba and ADda planes
277] STRAINS. 179
through Aa, in the unstrained system, inclined at an indefinitely
small angle, ABD and abd planes normal to Aa, CE and ce arcs
of circles having AG aa radius and A and a as centres respectively,
and BD and hd arcs of circles haying A and a respectively as
centres, and as radius AB indefinitely nearly equal to AC. Then
CE, ce, BD, and hd may be considered to be equal and parallel
straight lines, and BcDe a rectangular parallelepiped whose edges Bb,
Co, Dd, and Ee are parallel to Aa.
After the strain B, C, D, E will have moved relatively to 6, c, d, e
to B', C, D', E', BB' and DD' being equal to (e/?)56 . AB, and CC
and EE equal to (6ll)Bb .AC. These quantities, when angle BAD
and BC are made indefinitely small, are ultimately equal. Hence
the small rectangular parallelopiped BcDe becomes after the strain
the non-rectangular parallelopiped B'cD'e, on the same base and
between the same parallel planes. Hence the parallelopiped BcDe
has been subjected to a shear whose plane is BDdb, direction BD,
and amount BB'/Bb, i.e., (e/l)AB.
Hence at every point distant r from the axis of the cylinder thus
subjected to torsion, it undergoes a shear whose plane is parallel to
180 KINEMATICS. [277
the axis and perpendicular to a plane through the point and the
axis, whose direction is normal to this plane and whose amount
is Brjl.
(4) A uniform straight beam is bent so that lines initially longi-
tudinal and straight become arcs of circles in parallel planes (called
planes of bending), with centres in a line normal to these planes ;
transverse sections initially parallel become so inclined that they
intersect in this line, and longitudinal lines in a surface, called the
neutral surface, normal to planes of bending and initially a plane,
are not changed in length. Investigate the strain.
Let ABDC be a section of the bent beam by a plane of bending,
EF the intersection with ABDC of the neutral surface, ac and hd
the intersections with it of two transverse sections of the beam
{0 being their inclination), and the centre of curvature oi AB
and CD. '
Theii it is obvious that longitudinal lines, such as GIf, between
AB and HF are lengthened, and longitudinal lines between EF and
CD are shortened, by the strain. The line gh was initially equal to
«/. Hence it has undergone an elongation (per unit of its length)
equal to {gh-ef)/ef. Now gh=0g.9 and ef=Oe.e. Hence the
elongation of gh is
{Og- Oe)IOe=gelOe=dlp,
if d is the distance of the line GH from EF, and p the radius of
curvature of EF. This result applies to all lines parallel to gk and
intercepted between the transverse sections ao and bd, d being
278] STRAINS. 181
positive when measured from ef towards ah, and negative when
measured from e/ towards cd. Hence at every point of the beam
there is a longitudinal strain in the direction of its length, the
elongation being equal to d\f. It is positive for all points between
the convex surface and the heutral surface, and negative for all
points between the neutral and the concave surfaces.
It is obvious however that these longitudinal elongations alone
would not involve bending, and that in order to bring the beajn
into its final configuration longitudinal planes normal to planes of
bending, which have thus been elongated, must slide over one
another. Hence at each point of the beam there is not only a
longitudinal elongation, but also a shear whose plane is the plane of
bending and whose direction is longitudinal. By 273 and 276, if this
shear is small it is equivalent to another in the same plane, but with a
direction transverse to the beam and in the plane of bending, trans-
verse slices of the beam sliding over one another in the direction of
their intersections with planes of bending.
Hence the strain at any point of the beam consists of a longitud-
inal elongation equal to c?/p, together with the above shear.
278. Specification of a Strain. — The elongations of a
homogeneous strain in any three non-coplanar directions
being given, the elongation in any other direction can be
found. — Let Ox, Oy, Oz be lines having any three direc-
tions and e, f, g the elongations in them respectively.
Then any point P whose co-ordinates referred to these
lines as axes are x, y, z, has component displacements ex,
fy, gz, and the resultant displacement may be determined
by 78. The final distance of P from may thus be deter-
mined, and hence also the elongation in the direction of OP
182 KINEMATICS. [279
279. Hence a homogeneous strain is completely speci-
fied if the elongations in any three non-coplanar directions
are given.
280. The specification of three non-coplanar directions
requires (7) six numerical data, and that of the elonga-
tions in these directions three more. Hence, in general,
nine quantities are requisite for the complete specification
of a strain.
281. As a pure strain consists simply of elongations in
certain rectangular directions, the principal axes, the
specification of a pure strain requires only data sufiicient
to determine the directions of these axes and the elonga-
tions in them. To determine three rectangular directions
three numerical data are sufficient. Hence the specifica-
tion of a pure strain requires only six numerical data.
282. As any homogeneous strain may be regarded as
compounded of a pure strain and a rotation, the nine data
necessary for its- specification may consist of the six
necessary for the specification of the pure strain and the
three necessary (198) for the specification of the rotation.
283. Rectangular Specification of a small Strain. —
Let Ox, Oy, Oz be rectangular axes of co-ordinates, OA,
OB, OG the principal axes of the
pure strain, and Or the axis of the
^ rotation, of which, the given small
strain may be regarded as com-
-X pounded.
The elongations being given for
the directions OA, OB, 00, equiva-
^ lent elongations for the directions
Ox, Oy, Oz may (278) be determined.
The rotation about Or may be resolved into com-
ponent rotations about Ox, Oy, Oz. Now the rotation
2S4] STEAINS. 183
about Ox being small may be regarded (275-276) as
compounded of a shear whose plane is the yz plane and
direction either the y or the z axis, together with a pure
strain whose principal axes are Ox, a line bisecting the
angle yOz, and a line perpendicular to both these. The
elongation in the direction of Ox is zero, and those in the
directions of the other principal axes may (278) be con-
verted into elongations in the directions of the Oy and Oz
axes. Similarly the rotation about Oy may be regarded
as compounded of a shear whose plane is the xz plane and
direction either the x or the z axis, together with elonga-
tions in the x and z axes ; and the rotation about Oz, as
compounded of a shear whose plane is the xy plane
and direction either the x or the y axis, together with
elongations in the x and y axes.
Now these various component strains being all small
may be applied in any order. The three component
elongations in the direction of the x axis are thus equiva-
lent to a single elongation in that direction, and similarly
for the components in the y and z axes respectively. Hence
a small strain may be resolved into three simple elongations
e, /, g in the directions of the three rectangular axes Ox,
Oy, Oz respectively, and three shears whose amounts may
be represented by a, b, c, whose planes are the yz, xz, and
xy planes respectively, and whose directions are those
of either the y or z axis, either the x or z axis, and either
the X or y axis, respectively. Any small strain is there-
fore completely specified if the values of e, f, g, a, h, c,
are given.
284. Heterogeneous Strains. — The elongations of a
homogeneous strain we have seen to have the same values
in the same directions- throughout the system. In general
however, in the strains to which bodies are subjected, the
elongations in a given direction are different at different
parts of the system. Such strains are called hetero-
geneous strains. If throughout the system the elonga-
184 KINEMATICS. [284
tions at points indefinitely near one another are indefinitely
nearly the same, the strain is said to be continuous. The
strains of bodies, except in cases of fracture, are usually
continuous.
The variation of the elongations from point to point
being gradual in the continuous strain, they may be con-
sidered constant throughout indefinitely small spheres,
and the dimensions and position of the ellipsoids into
which these spheres are changed may then be determined
as in the case of homogeneous strain. The ellipsoids
however will in this case be different for different points
of the body, and that the strain may be known, the strain
ellipsoid, or sufficient data for determining it, must be
known for every point of the system.
The consideration of strains of this kind requires
mathematics of a higher order than readers of this work
are supposed to have at command.
PART II.— DYNAMICS.
PART I L— DYNAMICS.
CHAPTER I.
THE LAWS OF MOTION.
285. So far we have dealt with the motion of bodies
only by means of our mathematical generalizations. We
have thus seen how to determine the displacements,
velocities, paths, of bodies vl^hen their accelerations are
known. Farther mathematics alone does not enable us
to go. If we wish to inquire into the way in which
bodies come to have accelerations and how they influence
one another in their motions, we must obtain additional
generalizations on which to build ; and we thus pass from
the department of mathematical science into that of
physical science.
Dynamics is that branch of physical science which
treats of the effect of the exertion of force upon bodies.
The idea of force is ultimate. It is given us by sense.
Like colour, taste, smell, it cannot be described. But we
all have the idea, and when any one speaks of exerting
force we all know what he means. What the organ of
the sense is from which we have this idea physiologists
have not definitely settled. It has been supposed to
reside in the muscles, and has been consequently called
188 DYNAMICS. [285
the muscular sense. We do not require to know the
seat of the sense, and may call it simply the sense of
force.
A sensation of force is not qualitative merely, but
quantitative as well. We recognize ourselves in any
case, not only as exerting force on a body, but as exerting
a greater or a smaller force in a definite direction. Our
power of perceiving the magnitudes of the forces we
exert is not naturally strong, but it is susceptible of
cultivation ; and it is the education of the sense of force
which renders all manual skill attainable.
286. First Law of Motion. — Among our earliest gene-
ralizations aie included those with regard to the effects
of the exertion of force on bodies. These effects are very
different in different circumstances ; but when examined
they are found to be in all cases composed of changes of
velocity and changes of form or volume. And as a change
of the form or volume of a body is a change of the
relative positions and therefore of the relative velocities
of its constituent parts, we find the effect of the exer-
tion of force on bodies to be in all cases change of velocity,
or acceleration.
Cases of equilibrium (323), i.e., cases in which a body,
though acted upon by two or more forces, has an accel-
eration zero, apparently form exceptions to this result.
But in such cases, if the forces are allowed to act on the
body successively, the accelerations produced are f6und
to he such as would give a resultant acceleration zero
were they to occur simultaneously. Thus, though the
forces together produce an acceleration zero, each may be
regarded nevertheless as producing its own acceleration.
Having exerted forces on all bodies within our reach and
found acceleration invariably produced, we are led to ex-
pect this effect in all cases whether within the range of our
287] THE LAWS OF MOTION. 189
experiments or not, and to conclude that a force exerted
on any body will produce an acceleration in it.
We observe also, however, that many bodies move with
acceleration when we are exerting no force upon them.
Two billiard balls, for example, which impinge upon one
another, have their velocities changed. A body which is
simply let fall is found to fall with continually increasing
speed. One body in short is found to be able to produce
acceleration in others, it may be during contact, it may
be even without contact. In such cases the effect pro-
duced is the same as if we exerted force upon the bodies;
and we therefore regard the action between them as of
the same kind as our action on them when we are exert-
ing force.
We are thus led to conclude that the exertion of force
on a body is invariably the antecedent of acceleration in
it. We may express this result negatively by asserting
that a body not acted on by force will experience no
acceleration ; and it was in this form that Kepler, and
afterwards Newton, enunciated it. Newton called it
the first law of motion and expressed it thus —
Every body continues in its state of rest or of uniform
motion in a straight line except i/n so far as it may he
compelled by im,pressed forces to change that state.
The necessity of exerting force in order to produce
acceleration in a body is said to be due to its inertia.
287. Second Law of Motion. — We have next to ask
how the acceleration produced by a force depends upon
the magnitude and the direction of the force which pro-
duces it. The investigation of this dependence involves
the measurement of force. For this purpose we may take
as a provisional unit of force that exerted by a given
spring when stretched a given amount. We may also
prepare several exactly similar springs. Both our educated
190 DYNAMICS. [287
sense of force and our confidence in the " uniformity of
nature" assure us that when extended by the given amount
they exert the same force. Let us now act by means df
these springs on, say, a curling-stone lying on a smooth
horizontal surface of ice, taking care so to apply the springs
that no appreciable rotation or change of form or volume
may be produced. Preliminary trial shows that if, having
started the stone, we exert no force upon it, it moves
with a nearly uniform speed in a straight line over the
surface of the ice. If now we attach one of our stretched
springs to the stone and allow it to act on the stone during
known intervals of time, keeping the spring stretched to
the same extent and in a constant direction as the stone
moves, we may, by noting the positions of the stone at a
series of instants, determine the direction and magnitude
of the acceleration which is produced. The same deter-
mination may be made with two or with any number of
springs attached and for longer or shorter periods of time.
When that is done it is found (1) that in all cases the
accelerations produced are uniform : (2) that the direction
of the acceleration is always that of the force ; and (3)
that the acceleration produced by a force in a given body
is proportional to the force, double the force producing
double the acceleration, three times the force three times
the acceleration, and so on. The same result is obtained,
whatever the kind or the condition of the body experi-
mented with, whatever its initial velocity, and whatever
component accelerations it may have besides that produced
by the springs.
The rough experiments sketched above apply only to
forces whose direction and magnitude are the same during
the whole time of their action. As we find, however,
that the result does not depend upon the length of time
during which the force acts, and as a variable force may
be considered to consist of a succession of constant forces
of different magnitudes or directions, each acting for a
short time, we extend our results to all forces, uniform or
289] THE LAWS OF MOTION. ' 191
variable, and conclude that the magnitude of a variable
force is at any instant proportional to the instantaneous
acceleration of the body at that instant, and that their
directions are the same.
288. If by F we indicate the magnitude of the force
exerted on a given body, and by a that of the acceleration
thereby produced, the third part of the above result may
be expressed in symbols thus: Fcxa. Hence F/a = ei
constant, i.e., the ratio of the force acting on a given body
to the acceleration thereby produced, in it is constant.
The value of this constant ratio will clearly depend upon
the magnitudes of the units of force and acceleration.
But with given units this ratio will have a iixed value
for a given body, whatever its condition (as to tempera-
ture, etc.) and whatever the circumstances of its motion.
289. We describe the constancy of the relation between
the force acting on a body and the acceleration thereby
produced by saying that the mass of the body is constant,
the mass of a body being thus defined to be a quantity
proportional to the constant ratio of the force acting on
the body to the acceleration produced by it. If m denote
the mass of the body we have thus : F/a 0:7)1 = km, where
k is a constant, whose value for any given body will
depend upon the magnitudes of the units of force, accele-
ration, and mass which may be employed.
The term mass is clearly the scientific equivalent of
the popular term m,assiveness. We speak of a body as
being massive when we require to exert a great force
upon it in order to produce a small change in its velocity.
Thus an iron gate is said to be more massive than a
wooden gate of the same dimensions, because it takes a
greater force to produce in it a given angular acceleration
than in the wooden gate, though the friction and other
opposing forces may be the same in both cases. The
greater'the force required to produce a given acceleration,
192 DYNAMICS. [289
and the smaller the acceleration produced by a given
force, in other words, the greater the value of the ratio
Fja, the greater do we consider the massiveness to be.
290. The reader should carefully note that the mass of
a body is quite a different thing from its weight Its
weight is the force with which it is drawn vertically
downwards in the neighbourhood of the earth, and will
have different values at different parts of, and at different
distances from, the earth's surface. Its mass is not a force
at all, but, as we have seen, the value of a certain ratio
which is the same everywhere.
At any one place all bodies fall with the same accelera-
tion. Now the acceleration with which a body falls is
that produced in it by its weight. Let w and w' be the
weights of two bodies, g the acceleration with which they
fall at any given place, then their masses are proportional
(289) to wig and w'jg respectively. If, then, m and m'
are their masses, we have
m : mf^wlg : w'lg = w : w'.
Hence the masses of bodies are proportional to their
weights at the same place, and the ratio of the masses of
two bodies is the same as that of their weights. For this
reason the term weight is frequently employed not only
with its primary signification given above, but also as
synonymous with mass. As this double meaning of the
term leads to confusion, we shall restrict it to its primary
signification.
291. The mass of a body is by many writers defined as
the quantity of matter which it contains. As we do not
know what matter is, still less how to measure it, this
phrase (for it is thus a mere phrase) must then itself be
defined ; and such writers define it more or less directly
as being proportional to the ratio of the force acting on
the body to the acceleration thereby produced. This
294] THE LAWS OF MOTION. 193
mode of definition is clearly the same as that employed
above, except that a useless intermediate term is in-
troduced.
The phrase quantity of inertia has been similarly used
as an intermediate term.
292. By 117, the acceleration of a body is equal to the
rate of change of its component velocity in the direction
of the acceleration; and, by the second part of the above
experimental result (287), the acceleration is in the direc-
tion of the force. Hence, if v and v' be the initial and
final values of the body's component velocity in the direc-
tion of the force (F) during a time t (which, if F is-
variable, must be small), we have
„ , v' — v -.nnv' — viv
Ji = Icm — - — = k
V
293. The product of the mass of a body into its velocity
is called its momentum* The product of its mass into
the component of its velocity in a given direction is called
its momentum in that direction.
Hence the result of 292 may be thus expressed : When
a body is acted on by a force its momentum in the direc-
tion of the force changes at a rate which is proportional
to the force.
294. From the expression of 292 we obtain
Ft=k(7nv'—m.v).
The product Ft is called the impulse of the force during
the time t. Hence we obtain Newton's expression of the
second law of motion —
* The momentum of a body is often defined as its " quantity of
motion," the quantity of motion being then defined as the product
of mass into velocity — ^another case of the introduction of a useless
intermediate term.
N
194 DYNAMICS. [294
Change of momentum, is proportional to the impulse
of the imioressed force and takes place in its direction.
295. It follows from the second law of motion that a
finite force can produce in a body only a finite change of
momentum and therefore a finite acceleration. As we
find no infinite forces in nature it follows that the speeds,
velocities, and accelerations of bodies cannot have infinite
values, and that the directions of their paths, velocities,
accelerations cannot undergo abrupt changes.
296. Measurement of Force and Mass. — The second
law gives us at once a mode of measuring both force and
mass. If forces F, F act on masses* m and m' and produce
accelerations a and a' respectively, we have F:=kma and
F' — km'a''. To compare two forces, allow them to act
successively on the same mass and note the accelerations.
We have then
F:F' = a:a'.
To compare the masses of two bodies, let equal forces act
on them and note the accelerations. We then have
m : m' = a' : a.
297. Having thus found modes of measurement, we
must next choose units. Either both may be chosen
arbitrarily, or one being so chosen the other may be
derived. If both be chosen arbitrarily, the constant k
in the above equation will usually have an inconvenient
value. Thus let the weight of the body called a pound
be chosen as unit of force, the mass of the pound as unit
of mass, and the foot and second as units of length and
time. We know that the weight of any body produces
in it an acceleration of about 32'2 ft.-per-sec. per sec.
Hence our unit of force will produce this acceleration in
* This is a shortened expression for : bodies whose masses are m
and m'.
299] THE LAAVS OF MOTION. 195
our unit of mass. Substituting these values, F= m = 1
and a = 32-2, in the equation F=Jcma, we find /(; = 1/32-2.
298. If, however, either the unit of force only or that of
mass only be chosen arbitrarily, the other may be so
chosen as to give k the convenient value unity, in which
case the symbolic statement of the second law becomes
F=7na.
The constant k will have the value unity if F= m = a = l.
Hence, if the unit of force be arbitrarily chosen, the unit
of mass which will make k=l is that mass in which the
unit of force will produce unit of acceleration. And if
the unit of mass be arbitrarily chosen, the unit of force
which will make A; = 1 is that force which wilL produce in
unit of mass unit of acceleration, According as the unit
of force or that of mass is chosen arbitrarily do we obtain
one or other of two groups of systems of units.
(1) Unit of Force chosen Arbitrarily. — We may select
as unit of force any force we please ; but practically the
weight of some body is always selected. The bodies in
general use are the pound, which is a piece of platinum
kept in the Standards Office in London, the kilogramme,
another piece of platinum, kept in the Palais des Archives
in Paris, and multiples or submultiples of these.
These units and all units derived from them are called
gravitational units because their magnitudes depend
upon the attraction of the earth. As the weight of a
given body has different values at different points on the
earth's surface, gravitational units are not constant. They
are sufficiently constant, however, for many non-scientific
purposes, and are very extensively used.
299. Corresponding to each unit of force we have a
system of gravitational units, as follows : —
Foot-pound-second {F.P.S.) Gravitational System. —
The unit of force is the weight of the pound.
196 DYNAMICS. [299
The unit of mass is that mass in which a force equal to
the weight of a pound will produce an acceleration of 1
ft.-per-sec. per sec. As the weight of the pound produces
in the pound an acceleration of g (about 32-2) ffc.-sec. units,
it will produce one of 1 ft.-sec. unit in a body whose mass
is g lbs. Hence the unit of mass of this system is
a mass of about 32'2 lbs.
Metre-Icilogramme-second {M.K.8.) GravitationalSystem.
— The unit of force is the weight of the kilogramme.
The unit of mass is that mass in which a force equal to
the weight of 1 kilogramme will produce an acceleration
of 1 m.-sec. unit. It may be shown as above that the
unit of mass of this system is a mass of 9 'SI kilogrammes.
Other gravitational systems, based on other simple
units of length, time, and force the reader will readily
construct for himself The two given above are those
most- generally used and are sufficient for purposes of
illustration.
300. Dimensions of Derived Unit of Mass. — The mag-
nitude of the unit of mass, derived as above, will depend
upon the magnitudes of the simple units of force, length,
and time. With the notation of 15 we have (289 and 15)
XT r, 1 1 1
[F] [m] [a]
Hence [m] a [i'']/[a] ;
i.e., the magnitude of the unit of mass is directly pro-
portional to the magnitude of the unit of force, and
inversely proportional to that of the unit of acceleration.
Hence (111 and 57) the dimensions of the derived unit of
mass are given by the equation
[m]o:[F][L]-\Tf.
This equation may be employed in the solution of problems
302] THE LAWS OF MOTION. 197
in the same way as the similar equations in the case of
speed and rate of change of speed (47-50, 57-59).
301. (2) Unit of Mass chosen Arbitrarily. — The units
ordinarily selected are the mass of the pound and that of
the gramme (a body whose mass is 1/lOOOth of that of
the kilogramme), with their multiples and submultiples.
The English hundredweight is equal to 112 pounds, the
American hundredweight to 100 pounds. The ton is
equal to 20 cwts. The decagramme and hectogramme
are 10 and 100 grammes respectively. The decigramme,
centigramme, and milligramme are the tenth, hundredth,
and thousandth parts respectively of a gramme.
The following are approximately the relative magni-
tudes of these units :
lib. = 453-59 grm. I 1 grm. = 0-0022046 lb.
1 ton (English) = 1016-05 kgr. I 1 kgr. =0-0009842 ton.
As the mass of a body is constant, these units are con-
stant ; and the magnitudes of the units derived from them
depend therefore only on the magnitudes of the simple
units involved in them. Hence they are called absolute
units to express their independence of all such varying
quantities as terrestrial attraction.
302. Corresponding to each unit of mass selected, we
have a system of absolute units. The following are im-
portant systems : —
F.P.S. Absolute System. — The unit of mass is the mass
of the pound.
The unit of force is therefore that force which will
produce in the pound an acceleration of 1 ft.-sec. unit.
This force is called the poundal. As the weight of 1 lb.
produces in it an acceleration of 32-2 ft.-sec. units, it is
clear that the poundal is equal to the l/32-2th part of
198 DYNAMICS. [302
the weight of a pound, i.e., to about the weight of half an
ounce.
Gentimetre-gramme-second (G.G.S.) Absolute System. —
The unit of mass is the mass of the gramme.
The unit of force is therefore that force which will
produce in 1 gramme an acceleration of 1 cm.-per-sec. per
sec. This force is called the dyne. It will be clear that
the dyne is equal to about l/981th of the weight of a
gramme.
303. Dimensions of Derived Unit of Force. — From the
equations of 300 we obtain at once [F] a [J^][«], i.e., the
magnitude of the derived unit of force is directly propor-
tional both to the magnitude of the unit of mass and to
that of the unit of acceleration. Hence (111 and 57) the
dimensions of the derived unit of force are given by the
equation
[F]o:[M-\[L][T]-^
This equation may be employed in the solution of prob-
lems in the same way as the corresponding equations in
the case of speed and rate of change of speed (47-50,
57-59).
304 Density. — -The Tnean density of a body is the
quotient of its mass by its volume.
The density at a given point of a body is the quotient
of the mass by the volume of an indefinitely small portion
of the body surrounding the given point. If the density
of a body is the same at all its points, it is said to be
homogeneous or of uniform density. In general the
density of a body varies from point to point; the body 'is
heterogeneous.
The density of a substance in a given state is the
quotient of the mass by the volume of any portion of the
substance in that state.
304] THE LAWS OF MOTION. 199
If d be the density of a body, m its mass, and v its
volume, we have by definition d = mlv. Hence the
dimensions of density are given by the expression.
[Z»]cx[il/][F]-ia[ilf][i;]-^.
The unit of mass of an absolute system of units, in-
stead of being arbitrarily selected as in 301, may be
defined to be the mass of unit volume of some standard
substance whose density in terms of those units is there-
fore unity. This amounts to choosing a unit of density
arbitrarily and deriving from it the unit of mass. The
French unit, the gramme, was intended to be the mass of
1 cubic centimetre of water at its temperature of maxi-
mum density (about 4°C.). But though it may for most
practical purposes be considered to liave that mass, it has
not rigorously ; and thus the gramme must be considered
to be an arbitrarily chosen unit. The great advantage of
deriving the unit of mass from an arbitrarily chosen unit
of density is that the density of any given substance is in
that case equal to the ratio of the masses (and therefore
(290) of the weights) of equal volumes of the given sub-
stance and of the standard substance, or to what is called
the specific gravity of the given substance. If the unit
of mass is not thus derived, the density of a given sub-
stance is obviously equal to the product of its specific
gravity into the density of the standard substance (usu-
ally water) by reference to which its specific gravity is
expressed.
The mean linear density of a body whose length is
great relatively to its other dimensions is the quotient of
its mass by its length. The dimensions of linear density
are thus [iif][i]-i.
The mean surface density of a thin body is the quo-
tient of its mass by the area of one of its surfaces. The
dimensions of surface density are thus [ilf][Z]"^.
:^00 DYXAMICS. [305
305. Examples.
(1) Two forces produce in two masses accelerations of 25 and 30
units respectively. Show that, if the masses are equal, the forces
are as 5 to 6, and that, if the forces are equal, the masses are as
6 to 5.
(2) Forces of 20 and 30 units acting on two masses produce accel-
erations of 40 and 50 units respectively. Show that the masses are
as 10 : 12.
(3) Show that 1 poundal is equivalent to 13,825 dynes.
(4) Prove that the weight of 1 lb. is equal to 4'45 x 10^ dynes
approximately.
(5) Show that the value of 1 dyne, expressed in terms of the
weight of 1 ton,* is 1003 x 10~^^ approximately.
(6) Compare the values of the mass of a body as expressed in
gravitational units of the ft. -lb. -sec. and yd.-ton-min. systems.
Axis. 2,688,000 : 1.
(7) The value of a force expressed in dynes has to be expressed
in absolute units of the metre-kilogramme-minute system. By
what number must it be multiplied ?
Ans. 0-036.
(8) Reduce 20 poundals to absolute units of the yd.-cwt.-min.
system.
Ans. 214^.
(9) The unit of mass being a mass of 10 lbs., the unit of time 1
min., and the unit of length 1 yd., compare the derived unit of
force with the poundal.
Ans. As 1 : 120.
(10) With 20 lbs. and 40 sec. as units of mass and time respec-
tively, find the unit of length that the derived unit of force may be
equal to the weight of 1 lb. at a place where gr = 32-2, ft. -sec. units.
Ans. 2,576 ft.
(11) The unit of acceleration being 6 ft.-per-sec. per sec, find (a)
* The ton used in these Examples is the English ton of 2,240 lbs.
306] THE LAWS OF MOTION. 201
the vmit of mass when the derived unit of force is equal to the weight
of 20 lbs., and (6) the unit of force when the derived unit of mass
is a mass of 20 lbs.
Aus. (a) 107^ lbs., (6) 3'7... pounds- weight.
(12) Tlie unit of velocity being 20 cm. per sec, the unit of mass
15 grammes, and the derived unit of force the weight of a kilo-
gramme, find the unit of time.
Ans. 1/3270 sec.
(13) The density of water is about 1,000 oz. per cub. ft. Show
that it is also about 1687'5 lbs. per cub. yd., and about I'OOl grm.
per cub. cm.
(14) The masses and radii of two spheres are as 1 : 2. Show that
their densities are as 4 : 1.
(15) Given that the diameter of the earth is 1*275 x 10^ cm. and
its density 5 '67 times as great as that of water, show that its mass
is about 6"15 x 10^' grammes.
(16) The unit of density being that of water, and the imits of
time and mass 1 min. and 1 cwt. respectively, find the magnitude
of the derived unit of forces
Ans. 0'0378 pouhdals nearly.
(17) The nvimber of seconds in the unit of time being equal to
the number of feet in the unit of length, the unit of force being the
weight of 750 lbs. {c/ = 32 ft. -sec. -units), and a cub. ft. of the stand-
ard substance having a mass of 13,500 oz., find the unit of time.
Ans. 5^ see.
306. Force is usually exerted upon some portion of the
bounding surface of a body and acts therefore across an
area. In specifying the magnitude of a force we may do
so, as above, without reference to the area across which it
acts, or we may divide its total magnitude by this area
and thus express its magnitude per unit of area or
its intensity. When we do so we usually describe the
force as a pressure, a tension, a stress, though these terms
have another not inconsistent connotation (307) as well.
Thus a force of F poundals which is transmitted by a
202 DYNAMICS. [306
string of s square feet section would be a tension of Fjs
poundals per square foot, and the total force exerted
through the string would of course be determined by-
multiplying this quantity by the area across which the
force is acting.
It should be noted however that forces are not always
measured in this way when they are spoken of as pres-
sures, tensions, etc. Unless either it is stated, or the
context shows, that they are so measured, they should
always be assumed to be measured without reference to
the area across which they act.
307. Third Law of Motion. — If we now return to the
examination of cases in which bodies are acted on by
forces, we find that forces always act between pairs of
bodies, never on single bodies alone. I push a body with
my hand ; the body is urged forwards ; the forward
motion of my hand is lessened. Both the body pushed
and the hand are acted on by force. A horse draws a
carriage ; the carriage is pulled forwards ; the horse is
pulled backwai'ds and does not move forwards so fast as
he would otherwise do with the muscular exertion he is
putting forth.
To investigate this mutual action more thoroughly we
may take two of our curling stones and project them,
without rotation, on the ice so as to make them collide,
noting the direction and magnitude of their velocities
before and after collision. Let OA, OB and Oa, Oh be
drawn representing the velocities
before and after collision, of the
respective stones. Then AB, ah
°^^\ \ will represent the respective in-
tegral accelerations. They will be
found in all cases to be parallel and
in opposite directions. If the
^B stones used were of equal mass,
they will be found equal. If not, it will be found that
308] THE LAWS OF MOTION. 203
if If, m are the masses of the respective stones, then M.AB
= in.ab. Now the product of the mass of a body (294
and 117) into its integral acceleration measures the
impulse of aforce. Hence the stones during collision have
experienced equal impulses in opposite directions.
Other simple experiinents give the same result and
suggest a third law of motion, which Newton enunciated
as follows : —
To every action there is always an equal and contrary
reaction; or the Tnutual actions of any two bodies are
always equal and oppositely directed.
The exertion of a force upon one body is thus only a
one-sided view of a more complex phenomenon, viz., the
simultaneous exertion of equal and opposite forces upon
two bodies. When we are thinking of a force as acting
not on one body, but between two bodies, we call it a
stress. When the stress is such as to make the bodies
move towards one another it is called an attraction or a
tension ; when its effect is to increase their distance it is
called a repulsion or a pressure (see 306).
308. The experiments which we have sketched above
as leading up to the laws of motion are of necessity rough,
and are quite insufficient to demonstrate the truth of
these laws. They merely serve to suggest them. They
apply moreover only to bodies of so large size that experi-
ments may be made with them. Now, in studying the
motion of bodies, we are forced to regard them as consist-
ing of indefinitely small parts called particles, and the
extension of the above laws to indefinitely small bodies
we cannot prove to be warranted. Hence the laws of
motion as employed in Dynamics are simply hypotheses
suggested by rough experiments, and their accuracy must
be tested by the agreement of deductions made from them
with observed fact. The body of deductions from these
hypotheses constitutes the theoretical portion of Dyna-
204 DYxN^AMICS. [308
mics. Many of the deductions which will be made in
subsequent chapters may be tested by experiment. But
for the most part we shall have to do with ideal bodies
and our deductions will be only approximately true of
real bodies. The most satisfactory tests of the laws of
motion are furnished by astronomical calculations. These
laws are assumed in the determination of the positions of
the moon and other heavenly bodies at given times, of
the times of occurrence of eclipses, of the dates of the
return of comets, etc., and the precision with which such
predictions are fulfilled is well known. The assumption
of the truth of these laws has even led to the discovery of
heavenly bodies not previously known to exist. In short,
they have stood such rigorous tests that not the slightest
doubt is now entertained of their truth. And we may
make deductions from them, even in cases in which veri-
fication by experiment is impossible, with full confidence
that, if our mode of deduction is correct, the result will be
true.
309.' The three laws of motion adopted by Newton as
the fundamental hypotheses of Theoretical Dynamics
have not been universally adopted. Some authors sub-
stitute for Newton's second law one first enunciated by
Galileo, and therefore bearing his name, which has been
expressed by Thomson and Tait in, the following words : —
When any forces whatever act on a body, then whether
the body be originally at rest or moving with any velocity
in any direction, each force produces in the body the
exact change of motion vjhich it would have produced if
it had acted singly on the body originally at rest.
As Newton's second law is perfectly general it includes
Galileo's law. Those who make Galileo's law the second
law of motion must deduce Newton's law from it. This
deduction is made as follows : — Let two forces each equal
to F act in the same direction on a particle. Then if a is
the acceleration which each would produce if it acted
309] THE LAWS OF MOTION. 205
singly, 2a is by Galileo's law the acceleration produced
when they act together. Similarly 3a is that which
would be produced by three forces each of the magnitude
F and in the same direction; na that which would be
produced by n such forces. And hence the acceleration
produced in the particle is proportional to the force. It
will be noticed that the assumption is here made that n.
equal forces in the same direction are equivalent to a
force of n times the magnitude, a special case of the Law
of the Composition of Forces (313 and 86, iii). We
made the same assumption in discussing the rough ex-
periments used to suggest the fundamental hypotheses.
But such an assumption made after the choice of three
fundamental hypotheses is equivalent to the introduction
of a fourth. "
For D'Alembert's "Principle," which is extensively
employed instead of Newton's second and third laws in
the solution of problems on the motion of extended bodies,
see 417.
206 DYNAMICS [310
CHAPTER II.
DYNAMICS OF A PARTICLE.
310. We shall first restrict ourselves to the considera-
tion of force as affecting the translation of bodies. Now
the translation of an indefinitely small body difiers in no
respect from that of a body of finite size, while rotation
is possible only for bodies of finite size. Hence in con-
sidering the effect of force on the translation of bodies,
in order to exclude the possibility of its having rotational
effects, we imagine the bodies acted upon to be indefin-
itely small. Such bodies are called material points or
particles, or, if they form parts of a continuous body,
elements.
311. A force which we imagine as acting on a particle
is of course one whose place of application is a point.
The lines of action of forces which act on the same par-
ticle must intersect in the position of the particle. A
force is completely specified if its place of application, its
direction, and its magnitude are given. If it act on a
particle, its place of application is the position of the
particle itself In that case therefore it is completely
specified if its direction and magnitude are given. It
may therefore be completely represented by any straight
line of the proper length and direction.
312. Composition and Resolution of Forces. — Forces
314] OF A PARTICLE. 207
which act simultaneous!}' on a particle are called com-
ponent forces. The resultant of any number of compon-
ent forces is that single force by which' the same resultant
acceleration would be produced.
313. Let OA and OB represent two component forces.
Since these forces act upon the same particle, OA and OB
represent also the accelerations they would produce act-
ing singly. Now OA and OB representing the compon-
ent accelerations, OG the diagonal
'^ of the parallelogram AB represents
the resultant acceleration (116).
And OA, OB, OG representing acr
celerations of the same particle are
proportional to the forces which
would produce them. Hence OG represents the resultant
force.
Forces acting on a particle therefore are to be com-
pounded according to the parallelogram law after the
manner of the displacements, or velocities, or accelerations
of a point. We have therefore propositions called the
parallelogram, the triangle, and the polygon of forces, the
same in form as those enunciated under velocities (98).
Hence forces are to be resolved in the same manner as
displacements, or velocities, or accelerations.
Hence all the consequences of the parallelogram law, as
deduced in the case of the displacements of a point, apply
also to forces acting on a particle, and the formulae of
85-90 are applicable to component forces, if the symbols
representing displacements are taken to represent forces.
314. Examples.
(1) The resultant of forces of 7, 1, 1, 3 units represented in
direction by lines drawn from one angle of a regular pentagon
towards the other angles, taken in order, is ;^7l.
(2) P and Q are two component forces whose resultant is R. S
208 DYNAMICS f'^^*
is the resultant of R and P. Show that if P ana Q be inclined to
each other at a right angle, and if Q=2P, then S=2P ^/2.
(3) Component forces P, Q, R are represented in direction by the
sides of an equilateral triangle taken the same way rovmd. Find
the magnitude of their resultant.
Ans. (P^+Q^ + R^-QR-PR- PQ)'-.
(4) Three component forces are represented by lines drawn from
the angular points of a triangle to the points of bisection of the
opposite sides ; show that their resultant is zero.
(5) Three component forces are represented in direction by lines
drawn from the angular points A,B, G oi a, triangle to the points
of bisection of the opposite sides, and have magnitu.des equal to the
cosines oi A, B, and C respectively. Prove that their resultant is
equal to (1 — 8 cos A cos B cos C)*.
(6) The centre of the circumscribed circle of a triangle ABC is 0,
and the intersection of the perpendiculars from angular points ou
opposite sides is P. Prove that the resultant of forces represented
in magnitude and direction by OA, OB, 00 will be represented
by OP.
(7) Three forces are represented by the sides AB, AC, BC of a
triangle. Show that the resultant has the direction AG and is
represented in magnitude by 24C.
(8) ABCD is a parallelogram. Prom AB, AE is cut off equal to
one-third of AB. Prove that the resultant of forces represented by
AG and 24/) is equal to three times the resultant of forces repre-
sented ^yy AD and AE.
(9) li AB represent the resultant of two forces AC and AD, and
if the angle CAD be given, show that the extremities of the lines
representing the two forces {AC and AD) will lie on two circles,
which, if the given angle be a right angle, will be coincident. Also
show that, if the given angle be obtuse, each force has its maximum
value when the other is perpendicular to the resultant.
(10) A particle is acted upon by two forces represented by the
lines joining the particle to two given points. Show that, if the
3151 OF A PAETICLE. 209
particle be made to describe any plane curve, the end of the
straight line representing the resultant of the above forces will de-
scribe an equal and similar curve.
(11) Give a geometrical construction for resolving the force
represented by the diagonal BB of a square ABC3 into three
forces, each represented in magnitude by a side of the square and
one represented by DC in direction.
Ans. Upon EG describe an equilateral triangle BGE. The
required components are represented by DC, CE, EB.
315. Attractions. — An important case of the composi-
tion of forces is the determination of the attractive force
exerted on a particle by an extended body, the law of the
attraction being that of gravitation, viz., that the force
exerted between two particles is directly proportional to
the product of their masses and inversely proportional to
the square of the distance between them. In such cases
the attraction on the particle is the resultant of compon-
ent attractions exerted on it by the elements into which
the attracting body may be divided. Its determination
requires usually the application of the Integi-al Calculus.
But in a few important cases it may be found by elemen-
tary methods.
If m, mf are the masses of two particles, d their dis-
tance, and F their mutual attraction, the law of gravita-
tional attraction ia expressed by the equation
P mm' _ inm^
where Ic is a constant. The value of k, when units of
force, mass, and distance already chosen are employed,
may readily be determined from our knowledge of the
dimensions and density of the earth and of the value of
g. We may give it the more convenient value unity,
however, by choosing a new unit of either mass or force ;
for example, by taking as unit of mass a mass which
attracts an equal mass at unit distance with unit force
o
210
DYNAMICS
[315
This is called fJie astronomical unit of mass. We shall
use it in the following examples.
316. Examples.
(1) Find the attraction of a uniform thin circtdar disc on a particle
placed at any point on a line through its centre and perpendicular
to its plane.
Let A£ he the disc, its centre, OP a line through perpen-
dicular to AB. Let P be the position of the particle, and m its
mass.
Consider first the component attraction exerted by the element
(i.e., small portion) of the disc surrounding any point D, the line
DP having the length r, and its inclination to CP being 6 radians.
Let the element at I) subtend at P the small solid angle a (solid
radians, 22). DP's inclination to CP being 0, the surface of the
element at D is inclined to a surface normal to DP at the same
angle. The element at D being indefinitely small, the cone of which
it is a section is one of indefinitely small angle. Hence the ortho-
gonal section of this cone at D is the projection of the element at D
on a plane inclined B to the plane of the element. If therefore A
is the area of the element, A cos S is the area of the orthogonal ',
section. But a being the solid angle subtended at P by this
section, its area must be ur\ Hence the area of the element at I)
316] OF A PARTICLE. 211
is ar^/cos0. Let p be the surface density of the disc. Then the
mass of the element is ar^p/coa 8. Hence the force exerted by the
element on the particle at P is in the direction of PD and of
the magnitude
— ^x»i
cos t> up
r' cosS
This force has one component in the direction PC of the magnitude
— i-jjmx cos » = worn,
cos 8 "^ '
and another in the direction CD of the magnitude apm tan 8.
If DO be produced to D', and CD' made equal to CD, the element
of area A at D' will exert on the particle at P a force whose
components in the directions PC, CD' are of the same magnitudes
as the components above determined. The components CD and
CD' therefore neutralize each other, and hence the only effective
component of the attraction of the element at D is that perpen-
dicular to the disc, whose magnitude is apm.
Now the same is true of all the elements into which the disc may
be divided. Hence the resultant attraction will be perpendicular
to the disc, and equal to the sum of the effective components of
magnitude upm, for all the elements of the disc, i.e., since pm is con-
stant, to the product oipm into the solid angle subtended at P by the
whole disc. If a is the radius of the disc and h the distance of P
from it, the area of the segment of the sphere whose centre is P
and radius PA or ^IW+ofi is 2ir >Jh? + a\ xJh^ +a^-hy Hence the
solid angle subtended at P by the disc is 2T(l-h'/ s/h^ + a^); and
therefore the attraction of the disc on the particle at /' is
27rp«i(l-A/\/A2+a2).
If the disc be of indefinitely great extent (a=oo), or if the
particle be indefinitely near it (A=0), the attraction becomes 2Trpm.
(2) Find the attraction of a thin circular ring of gravitating
matter of uniform linear density p and radius a on a particle of
unit mass on its axis, at a distance h from its centre.
Ans. 2Trpah/(a^+h^)i.
(3) All parallel slices of equal thickness of a homogeneous cone
212 BYNAMICS [316
of gravitating matter exert the same attraction on a particle at its
vertex. [First prove for a cone of indefinitely small angle and then
extend to one of finite angle.]
(4) A right cone of gravitating matter of semi-vertical angle o,
length I, and uniform density p, attracts a particle of unit mass at
its vertex with a force 2irp?(l — cos a).
(5) Show that the attraction of a thin spherical shell of uniform
thickness and density on a particle inside it is zero.
Let P be the position of the particle, and A any point in the
spherical surface. Join AP and produce it to meet the surface iii
A . Consider a small element of the shell at A . If, from points in
its boundary, lines be drawn through P, their end points will mark
off a corresponding element about A'. These corresponding elements
are both sections of the same cone, and as they coincide with the
tangent planes at A and A', we know from the geometry of the
sphere that they are equally inclined to the line AA'. Hence their
areas, and therefore their masses, are directly proportional to the
squares of their distances from the vertex P. But their attractions
on a particle at P are directly proportional to their masses and
inversely proportional to the squares of their distances from P.
Hence their attractions have the same magnitude. And they have
opposite directions. Hence the pair of elements about A and A'
exert no resultant attraction on the particle at P. But the whole
shell may be divided into such pairs of elements. Hence the
resultant attraction of the shell on a particle at P is zero.
316]
OF A PAETICLE.
213
Clearly the same would told for a shell of any thickness, provided
it is either uniform in thickness and density, or uniform in thick-
ness and symmetrical about the centre as to density.
(6) The attraction of a uniform thin spherical shell on a particle
placed outside it is the same as if the whole mass were condensed
at the centre.
Let P be the position of the particle and C the centre of the
spherical shell. Join GP, meeting the shell in D, and divide it
./I P
at B, so that CB : GD=GB : CP. Take any point A in the shell.
Join AB and produce it to meet the shell in .4'. Join GA, GA',
PA, PA'.* Since GB ■:,GA = GA : GP, the triangles GAB and CPA
are similar, and the angle GAB equal to the angle GPA. Similarly,
the angle GA'B is equal to the angle GPA'. Hence also the angle
GPA is equal to the angle GPA'.
If straight lines be drawn from the boundary of a small element
surrounding A, through B, their end points will mark out a corre-
sponding element about A'. These elements are sections of a cone
whose vertex is B and solid angle u (solid radians); and their
common inclination to an orthogonal section of the cone, is the angle
GAB. Hence, as in Ex. (1), their attractions on a particle of mass
m at P are respectively in the directions PA and PA', and of
the magnitudes
mpia . AB^ , mpa . A'&
AP^. cos GAB ^^°- A'PKcosGAB'
p being the surface density of the shell. Now
AB_GA_GA' _A'B
AP GP GP A'P
* PA and PA' are not tangents, as would appear from the figure.
214 _ DYNAMICS [316
Hence the magnitudes of the above attractions are equal, and they
are equally inclined to PC. Hence the direction of their resultant
is PC, and its magnitude is 2mpa . GA^jCPK Now the whole sphere
may be divided by lines through B into pairs of corresponding
elements similar to the above, the resultant attraction of each pair
being in the direction PC, and equal to the product of its solid
angle into the constant 2«ip . CA^IGP\ Hence the resultant attrac-
tion of the spherical shell is in the direction PC, and is equal to
the product of this constant into the sum of the solid angles of all
the pairs of elements into which the sphere may be divided, which
is clearly the solid angle subtended at its centre by a hemisphere. Its
magnitude is therefore ^mnp . CA^jCP^ which is equal to the product
of. the masses of the particle and shell divided by the square of the
distance of the particle from the centre of the shell. Hence the
shell attracts the particle as if its mass were condensed at its
centre.
Hence also a spherical shell of any thickness, and a sphere also,
attract particles outside them as if their masses were condensed at
their centres, provided their density is symmetrically distributed
about their centres.
(7) Show that the attraction of a homogeneous sphere on a
particle of unit mass inside its bounding surface is directly pro-
portional to its distance from the centre.
(8) Assuming the earth to be a homogeneous sphere, compare its
attraction on a given mass at a distance from its centre equal to one-
half its radius with the attraction when the given mass is at a
distance equal to twice the radius.
Ans. As 1 : 8.
(9) rind in dynes the attraction of two homogeneous spheres,
each of 100 kgr. mass, with their centres 1 metre apart. [Data. —
Quadrant of earth, assumed spherical = 10' cm.; mean density of ■
earth=5'67 grms. per cu. cm.; ^'=981 cm. -sec. units.]
Ans. 0-0649 nearly.
(10) A pendulum beating seconds at the surface of the earth is
taken (a) up a mountain 1,400 ft. high, and (6) down a mine of
317] OF A PARTICLE. 215
equal depth. Find its loss or gain per day in each case, assuming
the earth to be a uniform sphere of 21,000,000 ft. radius.
Ans. (a) loss of 5-76 sec. ; (6) loss of 2-88 sec.
(11) Show that, if a pendulum oscillates in the same time at the
top of a hill as at the bottom of a mine, the depth of the mine is
very nearly twice the height of the hill.
(12) Show that the astronomical unit of mass of the C.G.S.
system is 3,928 grammes (mass of earth=6"14x 10^' grms. ; radius
of earth = e'37 x 10^ cm. ; 5^=981 cm. -sec. units).
(13) Find in C.G.S. units the value of h in the formula F=h-j^-
Ans. e-48 X 10-8.
(14) Compare with the dyne the unit of force employed when it
is stated that the attraction between two masses of m and m' grms.
at a distance d cm. has the value mrti'ld!^.
Ans. Unit employed = 6'48x 10~8 dynes.
317. Equations of Motion. — The second law of motion
provides us with an equation, F—7na, by means of which
any one of the three quantities, force acting, mass of
particle acted upon, and acceleration produced, may be
determined, if the other two are given. These two being
expressed in the units of a derived system, the third
determined by the above equation will be expressed in
terms of the unit of the same system.
The acceleration of a particle being determined, the
character of its motion is known from Kinematics. Hence
the above equation is called the equation of motion of a
particle.
If a particle is given as acted upon ,by several forces,
the resultant force may be found as in 313, or, the com-
ponent accelerations having been found by the equation
of motion, the resultant acceleration may be determined
by 116.
It follows that if F^, F^, etc., are the components in a
216 DYNAMICS [317
given direction of the forces acting on a particle, and a its
component acceleration in that direction, 2i''= ma.
318. It is in many cases found convenient in describing
the forces acting on particles, to specify not their mag-
nitudes and directions, but the magnitudes of their
components in three given rectangular directions. Ex-
pressions for the component accelerations in these three
directions may be at once written down. Thus, if X^, X^,
etc., Fj, Fj, etc., Z^, Z^, etc., be the components in the x, y,
z axes of the forces acting on the particle, if ax, ay, a« be
the component accelerations of the particle in these direc-
tions, and X, y, z the co-ordinates of the particle at the
instant under consideration, we have (317 and 118)
ax=x=^(2X)lm,
ay=y = (27)/m,
a^=z = {I,Z)/m.
319. It is frequently convenient to express the equation
of motion in terms of the impulse of the force rather than
of the force itself. If the force (F) is constant, its impulse
($) during a time t is (294) Ft, and we have from 294
and 298
^=Ft=mv'—7nv,
where v' and v are the final and initial values of the
component velocity in the direction of the impulse, and
m is the mass of the particle acted upon.
If the force is variable, it may be considered constant
during indefinitely short intervals of time. Let t be
divided into n such short intervals t^, t^, etc., t^. Let the
components, in any given direction, of the force (supposed
constant) during these intervals be F^, F^, etc., Fn ; and
let the components, in the given direction, of the initial
velocity and of the velocities at the ends of the above
intervals be v, v^, v^, etc., v' respectively. Then
320] OF A PAKTICLE. 217
etc.,
FJn = '>nv' — mvn - \.
The impulse ($) of the force, in the given direction, is the
sum of the impulses Ff^, F^t^, etc. Hence
$ = 'EFt = mv' — mv.
This form of the equation of motion is especially con-
venient when the force is one whose magnitude is great
and time of action small, as in cases of impact, collision,
explosion, etc. Such forces are therefore frequently
called impulsive forces. It will be obvious however
that the above form of the equation of motion is applic-
able generally, and that the restriction of the term
impulsive force to one whose time of action is short is
merely a matter of convenience.*
320. Examples.
(1) A constant force of 20 poundals acts on a mass of 10 lbs.
Find (a) the acceleration, (6) the displacement in 5 sec, the initial
velocity having been 4 ft. per sec. in the same direction as the
acceleration ; (c) the velocity at the end of the sa«ie time, the
initial velocity of 4 ft. per sec. having been inclined 60° to the direc-
tion of the force.
Ans. (a) 2 ft. per sec. per sec, (6) 45 ft. in the direction of the
initial velocity, (c) 2 ,/39 ft. per sec, inclined sin-\5/2 >/13) to the
direction of the initial velocity.
* The term impulse is unfortunately sometimes applied to these
short-lived forces. But it should be restricted to the sense in
which it is used above. Otherwise it becomes necessary to speak
of the impulse of an impulse. The term impulsive force is some-
times used to denote the impulse of a short-lived force. But this
use of the term leads to confusion and should be avoided.
218 DYNAMICS [320
(2) An unknown force produces in a body of 50 lbs. mass an
acceleration of 12-5 f t.-sec. units. Express the force (a) in poundals,
(6) in terms of the weight of a pound.
Ans. (a) 625, (6)19-4....
(3) A uniform force of 200 dynes changes the velocity of a body
moving in a straight line from 250 to 300 metres per sec. in 1
minute. Find the mass of the body.
Ans. 2 '4 grammes.
(4) What acceleration will be produced in a mass of 20 lbs. by a
force equal to the weight of 50 lbs. ?
Ans. bgl%
(5) How long must a force of 14 lbs. -weight act on a mass of
1,000 tons to move it from rest through 1 inch ?
Ans. 28'8 sees, nearly.
(6) A spring balance (an instrument for measuring force, being a
spring provided with a scale to show the amount of its elongation)
is graduated for a place where 5' = 32'2 and indicates 1 '6 pounds-
weight at a place where 5' =32. Find the correct value of the force
thus measured.
Ans. 1'61 pounds- weight.
(7) Find the force which must be exerted by a man in an elevator
on a body of 1 lb. mass which he holds in his hand, to prevent its
moving relatively to the elevator when the elevator is moving (a)
with uniform^ speed, (6) with an upward acceleration of 8 ft. per sec,
(c) with a downward acceleration of 8 ft. per sec, {d) with a down-
ward acceleration of 33 ft. per sec.
Ans. {a) 32'2 poundals upwards, (6) 40'2 poundals upwards, (0)
24'2 poundals upwards, {d) 0'8 poundals downwards.
(8) Show that in any motion of a particle the tangential compon-
ent of the force acting on it may be measured by the rate per sec.
at which momentum is increased.
(9) Prove that if W lbs. be acted upon by a uniform force of P
pounds-weight for t sec, the velocity acquired will be PgtjW, and
the distance traversed Pgfi/(2 W).
320] OF A PARTICLE. 219
(10) A body of 10 lbs. mass and with an initial velocity of 20 ft.
per sec. in a northerly direction is acted upon by two forces, one of
100 poundals in a north-easterly direction and the other of the
same magnitude in a north-westerly direction. Find its velocity
after 1 min.
Ans. 868 '5... ft. per sec. in a northerly direction.
(11) Find the impulse necessary to produce in 20 lbs. a speed of
25 ft. per sec.
Ans. 500 absolute ft. -lb. -sec. units.
(12) Two particles, each of mass m, are at rest side by side when
one is struck a blow of impulse * in a given direction, while a con-
stant force F begins at the same instant to act upon the other in the
same direction. Prove that if after travelling a distance s in the
time t, they are again side by side, 2# = i^< and %^^=mFs.
(13) A particle of mass m is moving in an easterly direction with
a velocity v. Mnd" the impulse necessary to make it move in a
northerly direction with an equal velocity.
Ana , mv ^2 in a north-westerly direction.
(14) A particle of mass m moves with uniform speed « in a circle
of radius r. Find the force acting upon it.
The particle has an acceleration equal to v^/r directed towards the
centre of the circle (121). Hence the force must be iu the same
direction and equal to mv^/r.
[A body moving in a curved path was formerly thought to have
what was called centrifugal force, which required to be neutralized
by a force applied to the body (through a string or by other means)
towards the centre of curvature (and called therefore centripetal
force), in order that the body might be kept in the curvTed path.
Thus a body moving with uniform speed in a circle was considered to
be in equilibrium {i.e., to have no acceleration) under equal and
opposite forces, the supposed centrifugal force and the actually
applied centripetal force. The necessary centripetal force being
known to have the magnitude mv^lr, the centrifugal force was
supposed to have that magnitude also. According to our modem
conception of force, a body cannot be said to home a force. More-
220 DYNAMICS [320
over, we now know that if no force be applied to a body it will
move with uniform speed in a straight line, and that, if it is to be
made to move in a circle, the resultant force on it must be centripetal.
Though the old notion of centrifugal force has been abandoned, the
term is still used, being applied by different writers in different
ways. It is applied (1) in its original sense, some writers finding it
still convenient in some cases to imagine a body moving uniformly •
in a circle as acted on by a force equal and opposite to the actual
centripetal force under which it moves ; (2) to the actual centri-
petal force under which the body moves ; (3) to the reaction of the
moving body on the body by which the centripetal force is exerted,
the centrifugal and centripetal forces being thus opposite aspects of
the same stress ; (4) to the acceleration of the moving body. Such
varying usage leads to great confusion. The old term should be
laid aside with the old hypothesis on which it was based.]
(15) Find the horizontal force which must be exerted on an
engine of 20 tons which is to go round a curve of 600 yds. radius
at the uniform rate of 30 mis. an hour.
Ans. 0*67 ton-weight nearly.
(16) A stone of 4 kgr., attached to a fixed point by a weightless
inextensible string 3 metres long, moves uniformly in a circle
in the horizontal plane through the fixed point. Find (a) the
tension in the string when the speed of the stone is 20 cm. per
sec, and (6) the time of revolution when the tension of the string
is equal to the weight of 12 kgr. [We shall investigate farther on
(383) the action of forces on bodies through strings. Meantime,
we may consider the above string to be a means of keeping the
particle at a constant distance from the fixed point and of exerting
on it a force, usually called a tension, directed towards the fixed
point.]
Ans. (a) 5,333J^ dynes ; (&) 2 sec. approximately.
(17) A man, standing at one of the poles of a rotating planet,
whirls a body of 20 lbs. mass on a smooth horizontal plane by a
string 1 yd. long at the rate of 100 turns per minute. He finds
that the difference of the forces which he has to exert- according as
320] OF A PARTICLE. 221
he whirls the body one way or the opposite is O'Ol pound-weight.
Find the period of rotation of the planet.
Ans. 13 h. 37 min. 21-6 sec.
(18) A railway carriage is going round a curve of 500 ft. radius
at the rate of 30 mis. per hour. Find how much a plummet hung
from the roof by a thread will be deflected from the vertical.
Ans. 6° 51'-4....
(19) A particle of mass m is attached by a massless string of
length Z to a fixed point, and moves with uniform speed i; in a
circular path about a vertical axis through the fixed point. Find
the tension in the string and the time of a revolution, when the
string has a given inclination 8 to the axis. [This arrangement is
called the conical pendvlum. The distance A of the fixed point
from the plane of the particle's motion is called the height of the
pendulum.]
The particle is acted upon by two forces, its weight mg vertically
downwards, and the tension in the string T directed towards the
fixed point. Its resultant acceleration is v^jil sin B) and is directed
towards the centre of its path. The sum of the components of the
acting forces in this direction is ^sin 8, Hence
Ta.mB = mv''j(l sin 8).
The particle has no acceleration in a vertical direction, and the
components of the forces in that direction are mg downwards and
TcosS upwards. Hence
Tco&e-mg=0.
From either of these equations T may be found. Eliminating T,
we obtain
«2=?g' sin Stan 6.
Hence, if r is the radius of the circular path,
i^=r'^glh.
If therefore u is the angular velocity of the particle about the
centre of its path, w= i^gjh, and if t is the time of revolution,
«=27r/w=27r\/%,
222 DYNAMICS [320
I.
which also (187) is the time of oscillation of a simple pendulum of
length h.
If d is indefinitely small, k and I are ultimately equal, and hence
t = %Tr>Jllg ultimately. Compare this result with that of 190,
which shows that in this case the motion is the resultant of two
simple harmonic motions whose common period is 2jr iJLjg.
(20) A particle of mass m, attached by an inextensible string
(length =Z) to a fixed point, moves in a vertical plane through
the fixed point in a circle of radius I. Tind the tension T of the
string in any position.
Let V be the speed at the highest point A of the path, v the
speed at any point P, the angle subtended at the fixed point by
the arc A P. The normal component of the particle's acceleration
when at P is v^jl. Since the vertical distance through which it has
fallen from A is then 1(1 — cos 6), we have (185)
2,2= 172+2^^(1 -cose).
Hence the normal acceleration
v'^ll=V^ll+'iig{\-cose).
The forces acting on the particle at P are the tension T towards
the fixed point and the weight of the particle mg downwards. The
sum of the components towards the fixed point is T+mgcosB.
Hence
T+mg cos$ = m{ V^/l+2g{l - cos 6)},
by which equation T is determined.
Show that the least and greatest values of ?'are m(V^/l—g) and
m{V^/l + 5g) respectively, and that 2' has these values at the highest
and lowest points of the path respectively.
Show also that the least value of V with which a 'circle will be
described is s/lg, and that, when V has this value, the greatest
value of T is equal to six times the weight of the particle.
(21) A particle moving in a straight line is acted upon by a force
directed towards a fixed point in the line and proportional to the
distance of the particle from it. Show that the particle's motion
is simple harmonic, and that, if / is the force on the particle when
320] OF A PAKTIOLE. 223
at unit distance from the fixed point, the period of its simple
harmonic motion is 2ir 'Jmjf, m, being its mass.
(22) A mass of 7 lbs., hung from a fixed support by a massless
spiral spring, and set to vibrate in a vertical line, makes 80 com-
plete vibrations per minute. What force will the spring exert when
extended 2 inches ? [The force exerted by a compressed or ex-
tended spiral spring is proportional to the amount of the compres-
sion or extension.]
Ans. 81 '9 poundals approximately.
(23) A particle moves in' an ellipse under a force directed towards
one of the foci. Show that the force is inversely proportional to
the square of the distance of the particle from the focus.
(24) A particle of mass m slides down a smooth inclined plane
(inclination = e), its motion being opposed by a force F, inclined
to the plane at the angle (p. Find (a) the acceleration, and (6)
the reaction of the plane. [A smooth body is one which reacts
upon another body in contact with it in a direction normal to its
surface at the point of contact. Smooth bodies are of course purely
ideal. The stresses between actual bodies in contact are not in
general normal to the surface. We shall see farther on (328) how
their directions are determined.]
Ans. (as) i^cos 0/m -g sin B, up the plane ; (6) mg cos 8 - Fsin .
(25) A particle slides down a smooth curve in a vertical plane,
starting from rest at a given point. If the curve have such a form
that at every point the resultant force on the particle is equal to
its weight, the radius of curvature at anyipoint will be twice the
intercept of the normal to the curve at that point between the curve
and the horizontal line through the starting point.
(26) A particle (mass = m) slides in a vertical plane down the
edge of a smooth circular disc (radius =r) whose axis is horizontal.
Show that if it start from rest at the highest point, it will quit the
disc after describing an arc subtending at its centre an angle
cos~^|.
Let V be the speed of the particle after describing an arc sub-
224 DYNAMICS [320
tending at the centre an angle B, then (Ex. 20) the normal accele-
ration is
i>2/?-=2p'(l-cose).
The forces acting on the particle are the reaction R of the disc,
normally outwards, and its weight mg ; and the sum of their
normal components is mg cos 6 — R. Hence
ingco&6-R== 2mg(l - cos d) ;
and R = mg(3 cos 9 - 2).
Hence, for 9=cos-if, R=0 ; and for e>cos-i|, R is negative, i.e.,
the disc must attract the particle if they are to remain in contact.
(27) A particle slides down a smooth cycloid placed in a vertical
plane, with its vertex upwards and hase horizontal. It starts from
rest at the vertex. Show that it will leave the curve at the point
where the horizontal line drawn through the centre of the generat-
ing circle cuts the curve. [If from a point /" of a cycloid a normal
be drawn meeting the base in the point S, the radius of curvature
at P is equal to 2FS.]
321. Impact. — When two bodies in relative motion
come into contact, they are said to impinge upon one
another or to undergo impact. The consequence of the
impact is a change in their velocities. Hence during
the impact a stress must have acted between the bodies;
and in applying the equation of motion it is often
necessary that we should have some means of deter-
mining the stress.
In actual bodies the stress is usually of very short
duration, and it is thus more convenient to determine
the impulse of the stress than the stress itseK In all
cases it affects only the component velocities of the im-
pinging bodies in its own direction. In some cases it is
of sufficient magnitude only to equalize these component-
velocities; in others its magnitude is such as to make
the bodies recoil, or move away from one another, after
impact. Whether or not particles would behave, on im-
322] OF A PARTICLE. 225
pinging, like actual bodies, we have no means of knowing.
For the purpose of illustrating the subject by problems,
we may assume that they would.
At our present stage we have to consider only the
special case of a particle impinging upon a smooth surface
of a fixed body. In that case the direction of the stress
is normal to the surface. If u and u' are the components
normal to the surface, of the particle's velocity just
before and just after impact, u is called the velocity of
approach and u' that of recoil. Now the stress must be
sufficient to change a velocity of approach u into a
velocity of recoil ft', i.e., if m is the mass of the particle,
to produce a change of momentum equal to mu +17111,'.
Hence, if $ is the impulse,
^='mu+mu'.
If e is the ratio of the velocity of recoil to that of
approach, e = u'/u. Hence
^ = 'mu(l + e).
If is the stress which is just sufficient to destroy the
velocity of approach, and produces no recoil, we have
^=mu. Hence
* = 0(l+e).
Newton found by experiment (379) that with given
impinging bodies the ratio of the velocity of recoil to
that of approach was constant. The ratio e is therefore
called the coefficient of restitution for the given bodies.
322. Examples.
(1) A body of 4 lbs. mass, moving -with a velocity of 10 ft. per
sec. in a direction inclined 60° to a smooth surface, impinges upon
and is reflected by that surface, the coefficient of restitution being
0'5. Find the impulse of the stress.
Ans. 30 ^JZ absolute ft.-lb.-sec. units.
P
226 DYNAMICS [322
(2) A particle impinges on a smooth plane, the coefficient of
restitution being e, the angle between the direction of the particle's
motion before impact and the normal to the plane (called the angle
of incidence) being a, and the angle between the direction of its
motion after impact and the normal (called the angle of reiiection)
being 9. Show that
tanS/tana = l/e.
[Let u, V be the components of the particle's velocity normal and
parallel respectively to the given plane before impact ; u', v the
same quantities after impact. Then vlv,=twxa and v/u' = tajid.
And u' = eu.1
(3) A particle of mass m is let fall from a height h upon a smooth
horizontal plane and rebounds to a height h'. Find (a) the impulse
of the stress, and (6) the coefficient of restitution.
Ans. (a) mg v'2( Jh+ ^h')y (b) sfhTih.
(4) Prove that the velocity of a particle moving on a smooth
horizontal plane is reversed in direction after impinging successively ,
on two fixed smooth vertical planes at right angles to one another,
the coefficients of restitution being the same for both planes.
(5) A particle is projected from a point A in the circumference
of a circle and after impinging at three other points in the circum-
ference returns to A. Show that the tangents of the four angles
of incidence are e^, «z, e~4, and e~i, e being the coefficient of
restitution.
(6) A ball falls vertically from rest for 1 sec. and then strikes a
smooth plane inclined 45° to the horizon, the coefficient of restitu-
tion being 1. Show that it will again strike the plane in 2 sec.
(7) A particle, after sliding from rest for 4/ ,^3 sec. down a
smooth plane inclined 60° to the horizon, strikes a horizontal plane
(coefficient of restitution = J) and rebounds. At what distance will
it again strike this plane ?
Ans. 37-18... ft.
(8) A ball is projected at an elevation a towards a smooth
vertical wall (coefficient of restitution =«) from a point whose
322] OF A PARTICLE. 227
distance from the wall is a. What must the velocity of projection
be that the ball may return after its rebound to the point of
projection ?
Ans. [3'a(l + e)/(esin2a)]i.
(9) A particle is projected from a point on an inclined plane of
inclination it, with a velocity v, inclined j3 to the plane. Find the
time between the n^ and the {n + Vf^ rebounds, the coefficient of
restitution being e.
Ans. 2e''« sin |8/(gr cos a).
(10) A ball is projected with a velocity of given magnitude from
a given point in a smooth plane inclined a to the horizon (coefficient
of restitution =e). Find the direction of the velocity that the ball
may cease to hop just as it returns to the point of projection. [The
ball ceases to hop after an infinite series of hops. Express the time
in which the ball returns to the point of projection (1) by the aid
of the last example, noting that
1/(1 -e) = H-e+eH etc. ;
and (2) by considering the component motion parallel to the plane ;
and equate these expressions.]
Ans. The inclination of the velocity to the inclined plane is
cot-^[tana/(l-e)].
(11) A ball is projected from a pdnt in a plane of inclination a
(coefficient of restitution = «), with a velocity Fat right angles to
the plane. Find its distance from the point of projection when it
ceases to rebound.
Ans. 2 F^sin o/[.g'(l - e)^cos^a].
(12) A stream of particles, each of mass m grm., moving in the
same direction with a velocity u em. per sec, impinge successively
on a fixed plane (coefficient of restitution = e) inclined a to the
direction of their velocity. If n particles reach the plane per sec,
find the force exerted by the plane. [The plane exerts on the
particles a series of impulses. The force exerted is the sum of all
the impulses occurring in 1 sec]
Ans. mnvil + e) sin a dynes.
228 DYNAMICS [322
(13) A uniform chain (linear density = p lbs. per foot) is held in
the hand by one end, its other end being in contact with a horizon-
tal table (coefficient of restitution =0). At a given instant it is let
go. Show that the force exerted by the table ou the chain after
t sec. is three times the weight of the portion of the chain then
lying coiled on the table. [The various links of the chain having
all at any given instant the same velocity fall as though they were
unconnected particles. After t sec. ^gf lbs. of chain lie on the
table, and the force exerted by the table is also destroying the
momentum of pgt lbs. of chain per sec]
323. Equilibrium. — A particle is said to be in equi-
librium or in a static condition when the forces acting on
it produce in it a resultant acceleration equal to zero.
The acting forces are also said to be in equilibrium in
this case. A particle in equilibrium must therefore
either be at rest or be moving with uniform speed in a
straight line.
The subject of equilibrium, together with all those
portions of Dynamics which are necessary for its discus-
sion are frequently treated separately under the title
Statics, the other department of Dynamics, which treats
of forces as producing acceleration, being then called
Kinetics. Some writers employ the term Dynamics as
synonymous with Kinetics, and apply the term Mechanics
to what we have called Dynamics.
324. Condition of Equilibrium. — That the resultant
acceleration of a particle may be zero, the resultant force
actiiig on it must (317) be zero also. And if the result-
ant force be zero, the resultant acceleration will be zero
also. Hence the vanishing of the resultant force is the
necessary and sufficient condition of equilibrium. This
condition may be otherwise expressed, viz., that any one
of the forces acting on a particle must be equal and
opposite to the resultant of all the rest.
325] OF A PARTICLE. 229
325. Expressions for Condition of Mquilibriuin in
Special Cases. — In special cases the following different
modes of expressing completely or partially the condition
of equilibrium are found convenient in the solution of
statical problems.
(a) If two forces only act on a particle, they must be
equal and opposite.
(6) If three forces act on a particle, they must all lie in
one plane. For the resultant of any two must be in their
plane and must be opposite to the third.
(c) If three component forces caij be represented by
the sides of a triangle taken the same way round, the
resultant is zero. This is an immediate inference from
the triangle of forces (313).
(d) Conversely, if three forces are in equilibrium and
if they can be represented in direction by the sides of a
triangle taken the same way round, they will also be
represented by them in magnitude. —Let AB, BG, CA
represent in direction the three „
component forces P, Q, R re- j ~7 ^~
spectively^ which are in equi-
librium. Let AB represent P
in magnitude also. If BC does
not represent Q in magnitude,
cut off BD from it of the proper length to do so. Then
the resultant AI) oi AB and BD must be in equilibrium
with the third force whose direction is CA. That is, two
forces whose directions are not in the same straight line
may be in equilibrium, which is impossible. Hence the
assumption that BC does not represent Q in magnitude
was wrong. Similarly it may be shown that CA repre-
sents R in magnitude.
(e) If three forces P, Q, R are in equilibrium, they are
proportional to the sines of the angles between the
230 DYNAMICS [325
directions of Q and E, P and R, and P and Q respectively.
OA and OB representing P and Q, R must be represented
by GO the diagonal of the parallelogram AB. Now
OA:AG: CO = sm OCA : sin COA : sin OAC.
If the angle between the directions of P and Q be written
PQ, we have
sin OCA = sin (180° - QB.) = sin QR,
sin 00 A = sin (180° - PR) = sin PR,
sin J. C = sin (1 80° - PQ) = sin PQ.
Hence P : Q : P = sin QiJ : sin Pi? : sin PQ.
(/) If more than three forces act, it may be shown
from the polygon of forces that, if any number of com-
ponent forces can be represented by the sides of a polygon
taken the same way round, their resultant must be zero.
But the converse proposition similar to that of (d) does
not hold.
326. Analytical Expression for Condition of Equi-
librium. — We may express the condition of equilibrium
of a particle in a way applicable to all cases by employ-
ing the analytical expression for the resultant of any
number of forces. If Pj, F^, etc., are the magnitudes of
component forces, a^, /8,, y^, a^, /Sj, y^, etc., the angles made
by their directions with three fixed rectangular axes, and
if R is their resultant, we have (313 and 90)
327] OF A PAKTICLE. 231
E={(2F COS aY + (2F cos /3)H (E,F cos y)^}*.
If there is equilibrium, R = 0. Hence in that case
(2F cos a)2 + (E^cos jS)2 + (I,F cos y)^ = 0.
But if the sum of three essentially positive quantities is
zero, the quantities themselves must each be zero. Hence
2i?'cos a = S^cos /3 = Si?' cos y = 0,
i.e., the condition that the algebraic sum of the compon-
ents of the acting forces in each of any three rectangular
directions must be equal to zero is a necessary condition
of equilibrium. It is evident that it is also sufficient.
If the forces are coplanar, the angles y become right
angles and the angles ^ become the complements of the
angles a. Hence the equations expressing the condition
of equilibrium become
Si' cos a = 2^ sin a = 0.
327. Flxamples.
(1) A particle of weight W rests upon a smooth inclined plane of
inclination a (to the horizontal plane) under a force F acting up the
plane (i.e., in the direction of a line of greatest slope). Find the
magnitude of ^ and of the reaction Ji of the plane.
Let ABhe the line of greatest slope of the inclined plane, AC a,
horizontal line in the vertical plane through AB. Then the particle
at P is in equilibrium under the three
forces, TF acting vertically downwards,
R acting at right angles to ji 5 in a
vertical plane, and F in the direction
AB.
If a perpendicular be let fall from Z)
(the point in which a vertical line ^''
through F meets AC) on the direction
of R and meet it in JE, we form a tri-
angle PBH whose sides FD, BE, and EF taken the same way
round have the same directions as the forces W, F, R respectively.
Hence (325, rf) W : F: R=PD:I)E: EF.
232 DYNAMICS [327
Now A PE being a right angle, the angle DPE is equal to o. Hence
DE= PD sin a and EP = PD cos o. Therefore
W:F:R=\ :sina:cosa.
And hence i?'= PFsina, and iJ= PTcoso.
Otherwise thus :— The angle RF is ir/2 radians, the angle RW
(tt - o) radians, and the angle i?* If (tt/S + a) radians. Hence (325, e)
W : F : £=sm{r/2) : sin(7r-a) : sin(7r/2 + a)
= 1 : sin a : cos a.
Otherwise thus :— Choose any two directions at right angles to
one another and put the algebraic sum of the components of the
forces in each of these directions equal to zero (326). To simplify the
equations it is well to choose the directions so that they may
coincide with those of as many of the forces as possible. In the
direction AB 'we have
F- If sina=0.
In the direction perpendicular to AB we have
R- Fcosa = 0.
When the inclined plane is used as a simple machine the ratio of
W the weight of the body kept in equilibrium on it to F the force
which must be applied to the body for this purpose is called its
mechanical advantage. Hence in the case in which the force F
acts up the plane the mechanical advantage is cosec a.
If from B a perpendicular BG be drawn to AC, BO is called the
height of the inclined plane, whose length is AB and base AC.
The letters h, I, b are frequently used to denote these lines. Hence
in the present case W/F=l/h.
(2) (a) rind the mechanical advantage of a smooth inclined plane
(length = ?, height = A, base =6) when the applied force acts in a
horizontal direction, and (6) express the reaction (R) of the plane
on a particle in equilibrium on it in terms of the weight ( W) of
the particle.
Ans. {a)b/h,{b)R=Wl/b.
(3) A particle is in equilibrium on a smooth inclined plane (in-
clination = a) under the action of a force F whose inclination to the
327] OF A PARTICLE. 233
inclined plane is 6 and to the horizon (o+fl). Find (a) F, and (6)
the reaction of the plane, in terms of the weight W of the particle.
Ans. (a) TT sin a/cos 9,(6) frcos(a + e)/cos0.
(4) A body is kept at rest on a smooth inclined plane by a force
acting up the plane and equal to half the weight of the body. Find
the inclination of the plane.
Ans. 30°.
(5) A body is in equilibrium on a smooth inclined plane, and the
applied force and the reaction of the plane are each equal to the
weight of the body. Determine (a) the inclination of the plane, and
(6) the direction of the applied force.
Ans. (a) 60°, (6) inclined 30° to both inclined and horizontal planes.
(6) A body is supported on a smooth inclined plane by a force
equal to its weight. Show that the reaction of the plane is double
what it would be if the body were supported by the least possible
force.
(7) P is the value of the force which, acting up a smooth inclined
plane, keeps a body on it in equilibrium. Q is the magnitude of
the force necessary to support the body when its direction is such
that it is equal to the reaction of the plane. Show that P acting
up the plane could just support a body of weight § on a plane of
twice the inclination.
(8) A heavy body of 12 lbs. mass is kept in equilibrium by two
applied forces, one horizontal and the other inclined 30° to the
horizon. Find the forces.
Ans. Horizontal force=772-8 pdls., the other =669 '2... pdls.
(9) Forces of 2J, 6, and 6^ poundals keep a particle in equilibrium.
Show that two of them are at right angles, and find the angle be-
tween the greatest and least.
Ans. cos-^ - A).
(10) A heavy bead (weight = W) capable of sliding on a smooth
circular wire in a vertical plane is held at a distance equal to the
radius of the circle from its highest point by a force directed to
234 DYNAMICS [327
that point. Find (a) the force, and (6) the reaction of the wire on
the bead.
Ans. (a) W, (6) W.
(11) R is the smallest and R' the greatest force which, along with
J' and §, can keep a particle in equilibrium. Show that, if P, Q,
and a force (R + R')/2 keep a particle in equilibrium, two of these
forces are equal ; and that, if P, Q, and a force s/RR' do so, two of
them must be at right angles.
(12) Two equal particles, each attracting with a force varying
directly as the distance, are situated at the opposite extremities of
a diameter of a horizontal circular wire on which a small smooth
ring is capable of sliding. Prove that the ring will be kept at rest
in any position under the attraction of the particles.
(13) Show that there is but one point in a triangle at which a
particle would be in equilibrium if acted upon by forces represented
by the lines drawn from it to the angular points of the triangle.
(14) Show that a particle is in equilibrium if acted upon by three
forces represented in direction by the perpendiculars from the angular
points of a triangle on the opposite sides, and in magnitude by the
reciprocals of the lengths of those perpendiculars.
(15) On a smooth inclined plane of inclination cos~^J a particle is
in equilibrium under the action of a certain force up the plane,
rind the direction in which an equal force must be applied, that it,
along with a horizontal force of the same magnitude, may also keep
the particle in equilibrium.
Ans. Inclination to inclined plane=cos~-^f.
(16) Show that a particle is in equilibrium under the following
forces :— 4, JST. ; 2, N. 30° H. ; 4, X ; 2 J3, E. 30° S. ; 4 sl% S. W. ;
2 ^3, W. 30° S. ; and 2, N. 30° W.
(17) From two points lines are drawn to the angular points of a
triangle. Find the condition that a particle acted upon by forces
represented by these six lines may be in equilibrium.
Ans. The given points must be on a straight line through the
point of intersection of the straight lines drawn from the angular
327] OF A PARTICLE. 235
points of the triangle to the middle points of the opposite sides, and
must be at equal distances from this point.
(18) A string whose ends are fixed at two points A and B in the
same horizontal line has, knotted at C, anotjier string carrying a
hea-vy body. Compare the tensions in CA and GB, when they are of
such length that A CB is a right angle, the whole system being in
equilibrium. [We shall prove farther on (389) that when strings
are knotted together, the stresses or tensions in them are in general
different. In such cases, if there is equilibrium, the knot must be
considered to be in- equilibrium under the action of the stresses in
the strings.]
Ans. As CBiCA.
(19) A string has its ends fixed at A and B. Another string is
knotted to it at C and supports a body of weight W. The inclina^
tions of CA and CB to the horizon are 6 and ^ respectively. Find
the tensions in CA and CB when there is equilibrium.
Ans. W cos ^/sin {B + ) and W cos 9/sin {B + (p) respectively.
(20) Three strings have one end each knotted together at C. Two
of them are attached to fixed points at A and B, and the tensions in
them are T and T' respectively. The third supports a particle
whose weight is W. Find the inclinations 6 and of C^.and CB
to the horizon when there is equilibrium.
An. ^=sin-^^^^^. ^-in-^::^-^^^.
(21) A string whose length is 10 feet has its ends fastened at two
points in a horizontal line 6 feet apart. A small smooth massless
ring slides qn the string carrying a body weighing 10 lbs. Find
the tension in the string when there is equilibrium. ["We shall
prove farther on (391) that when the direction of a flexible string is
changed by its being bent round a smooth body the stress through-
out the string is the same. In this problem the portion of the
string in contact with the ring is in equilibrium under the action
of a force equal to and codirectional with the weight of the body
which the ring carries and of the equal tensions in the two portions
of the string.]
Ans. 201 J poundals.
236 DYNAMICS [327
(22) A fixed smootli hemispherical bowl whose rim is horizontal
has, resting inside it, a particle of weight W attached by a string
which passes over the rim to another particle of weight W which
hangs freely. Find the position of the particle in the bowl.
Ans. If S is the angle subtended at the centre of the bowl by the
portion of the string within it
''=2<=o« ^^^^ ^•
328. Friction. — We are now able to understand the
experimental determination of the direction of the stress
between two actual rough bodies in contact with one
fji another. The figure shows
'g the apparatus employed,
AB is a horizontal table, G a
Y flat-bottomed box upon it.
lAl)
w
r^
To (7 a string is attached
which passes over a pulley
at B and supports a pan B.
Weights (i.e., standards of
mass) are placed in G and B. Before the string is attached
C remains motionless on the table. The only forces acting
on it are its weight and the reaction of the table. Hence
this reaction must be vertical and therefore normal to the
surface of contact between G and the table. If now the
string be attached and weights added gradually to B, G
remains motionless until they reach a certain amount.
For aU loads in B less than this amount, G is in equi-
librium* under three forces — its weight W, the reaction of
the table R, and the force F exerted by the string (equal
to the weight of B and in the direction of the string).
Hence R must be in the plane of F and W, and so
inclined to W, which is normal to the surface of contact,
that it has a component F equal and opposite to F.
* The motion of the box is (454) the same as that of a particle
acted upon by the same forces, provided the box undergo transla-
tion only.
328] OF A PAETICLE. 237
This component F resists the sliding of the box over
the surface of the table, and is called ^he friction between
the box and the table. It increases with F until the box
is just on the point of moving, when it has its greatest
value and is called the limAtvng static friction. If we
increase F still more the box begins to move with an
acceleration ; and the greater we make F, the greater is
the acceleration. If the acceleration be observed, the
resultant horizontal force may be determined, and the
difference between this force and F is the value of F in
this case. The value of F' when the box is in motion
is called the kinetic friction. It is found (by more re-
fined experimental methods than the above) to be usually
slightly less than the limiting static friction and to be (at
any rate very nearly) independent of the velocity of the
box.
If weights of different amounts are put into the box C
it is found that the friction (whether limiting static or
kinetic) is, within limits, proportional to the weight of
the box and its contents, and therefore to the normal
component of the reaction. If boxes of the same sub-
stance and weight, but with bottoms of different areas,
are used, the friction is found to be independent of the
area of the surface of contact. If the substance of the
bottom of the box and that of the table, or their state
of surface, be changed, the friction is found to change
also.
If F is the value of the friction (whether limiting
static or kinetic), and JR,' the normal component of the
reaction R, we have thus F = fiR', where /jt is a constant
for two bodies of given substances with their surfaces of
contact in given states. It may be determined by such
experiments as the above, and it has different values
according as relative motion of the one body over the
surface of the other is on the point of occurring or is
actually occurring, being usually slightly greater in the
former case than in the latter. In the former case, fx is
238 DYNAMICS [328
called the coeflBcient of static friction ; in the latter, that
of kinetic friction.
The inclination to the normal of the reaction R of the
bodies in contact may be expressed in terms of the co-
efficient of friction. B' and F being the normal and
frictional components of R, we have, if e is the inclination
of J? to the normal, ta,n e = F'jR' = fi, and e = tan-V-
If (U is the coefficient of static friction the value of e
thus determined is the greatest possible inclination of the
reaction to the normal. It is called the angle of repose.
As R is in the plane containing the normal to the surface
of contact, and the direction in which the acting forces
tend to produce sliding, and as this direction may be any
whatever in the tangent plane at the point of contact of
the bodies, the direction of the reaction when sliding is
on the point of occurring may be any line on the surface
of a cone whose axis is the normal at the point of contact,
and whose semi-vertical angle is the angle of repose.
The direction of the reaction under all circumstances
must be included in this cone.
The ideal perfectly rough body is one over whose
surface sliding is impossible. In the case of such a body
the reaction is supposed to have any direction and mag-
nitude that may be necessary to prevent sliding.
The above statement of the laws, of friction is sufficient
for our purpose. For a more detailed statement of our
knowledge of this subject, see recent works on en-
gineering.
329. Examples.
(1) A particle of mass m is moving up an inclined plane (co-
efficient of friction = a) of inclination a, being acted upon by a force
F up tlie plane. Find its acceleration and the reaction of the
plane. — Let R be the normal component of the reaction of the plane.
Then 11.R is the component in the plane, and as the point is moving
329]
OF A PARTICLE.
239
up the plane, ii,R is directed down it. Hence, if a is the acceleration
up the plane,
a={F-iiR- Wama)/m.
As there is no acceleration normal to the plane,
= iJ- Ifcosa.
Hence a = [P- ■pr(/iC0sa4-sina)]/w.
Also the resultant reaction is (313 and 86, V)
R Vl+^= W n/iTm^ cos a.
In the above formulae /t is the coefficient of kinetic friction.
(2) A body of 100 lbs. mass, moving on a horizontal surface with
a speed of 10 ft. per sec, comes to rest in 2 sec. Find the coefficient
of kinetic friction (supposed independent of the velocity).
Ans. 0-15....
(3) A mass of 100 lbs. is moved along a horizontal plane by a
constant horizontal force of 20 Ibs.-weight. Determine the dis-
placement in 10 sec, the coefficient of kinetic friction being 0"17.
Ans. 48-3 ft.
(4) A force equal to the weight of 28 lbs. is required to draw a
mass of 30 lbs. up a plane inclined 30° to the horizon. Find (cs) the
coefficient of friction ; (6) the force that would be necessary if the
inclination were 45°.
Ans. (ffl)0-5...; (6) 45/ ;v/2 Ibs.-weight approximately.
(5) A train is going up an incline of 1 in 70, at the rate of 10
mis. per hour, the friction being equivalent to a force of 8 lbs.-
240 DYNAMICS [329
weight per ton of the train's mass. The incline is 500 ft. in length,
and when the train is half way up, a coupling-chain breaks. Find
(a) how far the train will go up the incline, and (6) its speed at the
foot of the incline.
Ans. (a) 187-05... ft.; (6) 17-36... ft. per sec.
(6) A particle impinges on a fixed rough plane (coefficient of
friction =/i, that of restitution = e) with a velocity v inclined a° to
the normal. Find (a) the magnitude, and (b) the inclination to the
normal, of the velocity after impact. [The frictional impulse is
equal to fi times the normal impulse.]
Ans. (a) { e Vcos^a + \v sin a — fi.i>{ 1 + e) cos aP } ' ;
(6) tan-i[- tan a - ^ (1 + e)].
(7) A particle is in equilibrium on a rough inclined plane of
inclination u, being just prevented from moving do-wn by a force
F acting up the plane. The coefficient of static friction being fi,
find F and the reaction of the plane.
This problem may be solved by means of the result of Ex. 1.
That the particle may be in equilibrium on the plane we must have
a = 0. Hence
F- W{ii. cos a. + sma) = 0.
In the formula of Ex. 1, /* was the coefficient of kinetic friction.
When we make a=0, it becomes the coefficient of static friction.
Also that formula was obtained on the assumption that /iR acts
down the plane, and therefore that the iparticle moves, or tends to
move, up the plane. If we make f- negative and thus obtain
F - T'F(sin a - /i cos a) = 0,
we reverse the direction of fi-R, i.e., we get a formula applicable to
the case in which nR acts up the plane, and the particle therefore
is prevented by friction from moving down the plane.
Otherwise thus : — The particle is acted upon by three forces, its
weight W, F, and the reaction of the plane R'. R' is inclined to
the normal FN at the angle of repose (e), the angle being measured
towards PB, because the body is on the point of moving down the
plane. Since
329]
OF A PARTICLE.
241
Tra'=180°+e-a, Ji'F=QO°-e, and WF=9(f + a,
we have
and hence
and
F : W : R'=siD.(a-e) : cose : coso ;
F= FT sin (a - e)/cos e,
R'= TT cos a/cose.
Otherwise : — Eeplaeing R' by its normal component R and its
frictional component iiR (up the plane), and resolving in and per-
pendicular to the direction of AB, we have
and
Hence
and
F+iiR- Trsino=0,
R- Fcoso=0.
F= Tf (sin a — /t cos a),
ij'=ij\/r+^= pfcosctVrtv.
Recollecting that c=tan~V, it is easy to show the consistency of
the above results. The same equations may be obtained in other
ways. [See 327 (1)].
(8) A body is in equilibrium on a rough inclined plane of incli-
nation u, under a force F, inclined at the angle S to the inclined
plane. Find the ratio of the weight of the body to the force F
(a) when the body is on the point of moving up the plane ; (J)
when it is on the point of moving down.
Ans. (a)
cosS+iJ,aia6
sina-l- Oleosa '
(6)
cos S—fi sin
sin a — fi cos a
242 DYNAMICS [329
(9) Prove that the horizontal force which will just sustain a
heavy particle on a rough inclined plane will sustain the particle
on a smooth inclined plane provided its inclination is less than that
of the rough plane by the angle of repose.
(10) Show that the least coefficient of friction that will allow of
a heavy body's being just kept from sliding down an inclined plane
of inclination a, the body (weight = W) being sustained by a given
horizontal force F, is ( PFtan a - F)/{F ta,ii a + W).
(11) A heavy body is kept at rest on a given inclined plane by a
force making a given angle with the plane. . Show that the reaction
of the plane when it is smooth is a harmonic mean between the
normal components of the greatest and least reactions when it is
rough.
(12) A bead, capable of sliding on a rough circular wire (radius
=r, coefficient of friction =/i) in a vertical plane, is in equilibrium
in the highest position (not being the highest point of the wire) in
which equilibrium is possible. Find its position.
Ans. Its distance from the lowest point of the circle measured
along the circumference is rtan~V.
(13) Show that it is easier to lift a body a given height than to
drag it up an inclined plane of that height by a rope parallel to the
pla,ne, if the coefficient of friction is greater than the ratio of the
difference between the length and height of the plane to its base.
330. WorJc done. — Work is said to be done by a force
on a body when its place of application has a component
displacement in the direction of the force, and by a body
against a force when the place of application of the force
has a component displacement in the direction opposite
to that of the force. Work may in both cases be said to
be done by the force if in the one case it is considered as
positive and in the other as negative.
If the force doing the work is uniform, the work done
is measured by the product of the force into the compon-
ent in its direction of the displacement of its point of
application. If W, F, s, a represent the work done, the
331] OF A PABTIOLK. 243
force acting, the displacement, and the inclination of the
directions of the displacement and the force, we have thus,
by definition,
W (xFs cos a.
The work done is therefore measured also by the product
of the displacement into the component in its direction
of the acting force.
If the force doing the work is variable, the motion of
the body may be supposed to be broken up into a large
number of small displacements during each of which the
force may be considered constant, and the work done is
the sum of all the quantities of work done during these
small displacements.
331. Measuremsnt of Work done. — If we write I for
the component of the displacement in the direction of the
force, we have W—hFL, where fc is a constant whose
value will depend upon the units involved in the other
quantities. We have already selected units of force and
length. We can give h the convenient value unity there-
fore only by properly selecting the unit of work. If
'W = F=l = l, k will be equal to 1. Hence we take as
unit of work the work done when under the action of
unit force a particle has a component displacement of 1
unit in the direction of the force. This derived unit of
work will of course vary with the units chosen as simple
units.
F. P. S. Gravitational System. — The weight of the
pound being the unit of force, the unit of work is the
work done when a body under this force moves through
a distance of 1 foot in its direction. This unit is very
largely used in Engineering. It is called the foot-pound,
and is usually defined as the work done in lifting one
pound one foot vertically.
if. K. S. Oravitatiorial System. — The weight of the
244 DYNAMICS [331
kilogramme being the unit of force, the unit of work is
that done when under this force a body moves through
1 metre in its direction. It is largely used by French,
engineers, and is called the kilogramme-metre. The
kilogramme-metre is equivalent to 7'2331 foot-pounds.
F. P. 8. Absolute System.— The unit of work is the
work done when under a force of 1 poundal, a body
moves through 1 foot in the direction of the force. This
unit is called the foot-poundal. It is clear that, as the
weight of 1 lb. is gr times the poundal, the foot-pound
must be g times the foot-poundal.
C. G. S. Absolute System. — The unit of work is the
work done when under a force of 1 dyne a body moves
through 1 centimetre in the direction of the force. It is
called the erg. The joiile is 10,000,000 ergs, and is equi-
valent to nearly f of a foot-pound.
332. Dimensions of Unit of Work. — From the equa-
tion W X Fl, we deduce, as in 300 and 303, [W] x [F][L]
and [W] oc [i(/][i]^[T]"^. The former expression applies
to gravitational units in which the unit of force is a
fundamental unit. The latter applies to absolute units
in which the unit of mass is chosen arbitrarily. A know-
ledge of the dimensions of units of work is applied in the
solution of problems in exactly the same way as in the
case of units of speed and rates of change of speed.
333. Bate of Work — The mecwi rate at which a force
does work in a given time is the quotient of the work
done in the time by the time. In general the mean rate
varies with the interval of time to which it applies. In
any case in which it does not, the rate of doing work is
said to be uniform.
The i/nstantaneous rate at a given instant is the mean
rate between that instant and another when the interval
335] OF A PAETICLK 245
of time between them is made indefinitely small. It has
(295) in all cases a finite value.
The rate at which an agent {e.g., a steam engine) can
do work is called its Power or Activity.
334. Let W be the work done by a force F on &
particle of mass m in a short time t, and R the rate at
which the work is done. Then R= W/t. If s is the
distance traversed by the body in the direction of F
during t, R = Fsjt = Fv, where v is the component of the
instantaneous velocity of the particle in the direction of
F. If a is the instantaneous acceleration produced in
the particle by F, we have F=ma, and therefore iJ=mau,
whence a = RI(rav), i.e., the acceleration produced in a
particle by a force working at the rate R, is equal to the
quotient of this rate by the momentum of the particle in
the direction of F.
If the work is done against a force F', which has a
direction opposite to that of F, and produces an accelera-
tion a', the resultant acceleration isa — a' = R/{mv) — F'/m.
As V increases a decreases. When a=a' there is no
resultant acceleration and v becomes uniform and has its
greatest value. Hence the greatest velocity which a
force working at the rate R can produce against an
opposing force F' is equal to R/F'.
335. Measurement of Rate of Work. — We have by
definition R = W/t. When Tf = t = l, R=l. Hence unit
rate of work is unit of work per unit of time. The fol-
lowing are therefore the units of rate of work in the
various systems.
F. P. 8. Gravitational System — One foot-pound per
second. — The unit employed by English engineers is a
multiple of this, viz., 550 ft. -pounds per sec, or 33,000
ft.-pounds per min., which is called the horse-power.
M. K. 8. Gravitational System — One kilogramme-
246 . DYNAMICS [3^^
metre per second. — The unit practically employed by
French engineers is 75 kilogramme-metres per sec.
(equivalent to .542-486 ft.-pounds per sec), which is
called the force de cheval.
F. P. S. Absolute System — One ft.-poundal per sec.
G. G. S. Absolute System — One erg per sec. — A mul-
tiple of this unit, viz., 10,000,000 ergs per sec. (equivalent,
to nearly | ft.-pound per sec.) is extensively employed in
electrical work. It is called the watt.
The dimensions of units of rate of work can be readily
shown from the formulae of 334 and 332 to be [F}[L][T]-^
or [M][Lf[T]-^
336. Eaumples.
(1) Reduce 50 ergs to kilogramme-metres.
Ans. 5'09 X 10~' approx.
(2) Reduce 20 foot-pounds to ergs.
Ans. 2'712 X 10* approx.
(3) Show that 1 foot-poundal = 421,390 ergs.
(4) Find the multiplier by which ergs are reduced to foot-pounds.
Ans. 7-3'7xlO-8.
(5) The second and the foot being the units of time and of length
respectively, determine the unit of mass that the derived unit of
work may be equal to the foot-pound.
Ans. 32-2 lbs.
(6) The units of mass, work, and length being taken as funda-
mental units, find the dimensions of the derived unit of time.
Ans. [X][J/]*[W]-i.
(7) A man weighing 168 lbs. climbs a mountain 11,000 feet high
in 7 hours, the difiiculties of the way being equivalent to the carry-
ing of an additional weight of 42 lbs. Show that he has worked at
^ horse-power.
337] OF A PAETICLE. 247
(8) A boy drags a body of 50 lbs. mass on a smooth horizontal
plane, doing work upon it at the rate of yS, horse-power. Find its
acceleration when its speed is 1 mile per hour.
Ans. 24"15 ft.-sec. units in the direction of motion.
(9) An engine is employed in lifting vertically a bale of goods
weighing 1 cwt. (a) If the engine is working at 5 H.-P. and the
bale has a speed of 5 ft. per sec, find its acceleration. (5) At what
H.-P. must the engine work to lift the bale with a uniform speed of
1 ft. per sec.
Ans. (a) 158'1 ft.-sec. units upwards ; (b) i H.-P. approx.
(10) A train weighing 75 tons ascends an incline of 1 in 800 with
a uniform speed of 40 miles per hour. Assuming the friction io be
equivalent to a force of 6 pounds-weight per ton of the train's mass,
find the rate at which the engine is working.
Ans. 70'4 H.-P. approx.
(11) Find the greatest speed an engine of 100 H.-P. can give a
train of 70 tons mass on an incline of 1 in 100, friction being equiva-
lent to a force of 8 pounds- weight per ton.
Ans. 17"62... miles per hour.
(12) Reduce 20 horse-power to ergs per second.
Ans. 1-492x10".
(13) In 1 force de cheval how many ergs per second?
Ans. 7-36x109.
(14) If the acceleration of a falling body be taken as unit of
acceleration, 1 ton as unit of mass, 1 horse-power as unit rate of
work, and 1 minute as unit of time, find the derived unit of
length.
Ans. 14-7... feet.
337. Determination of Work done under given Forces.
(1) Under a JJmiform Force. — If a particle undergo an}'
motion under a uniform force, no difficulty arises in
determining the work done. It is simply the product of
the magnitude of the force into the component displace
ment in its direction.
248 DYNAMICS [338
338. (2) Under a Central Force, i.e., a force directed
towards a centre and varying with the distance from the
centre.— Let be the centre of force, AB any path of a
particle from A to B, and PQ any
indefinitely small portion of the path.
Join OA, OP, OQ, OB, and from as
centre describe arcs of circles Aa, Pp,
Qq, M being the point of intersection
ofPp withOQ.
0,^::^ — -^ '' PQ being small, the force on the
particle between P and Q may be considered constant.
Let i'be its magnitude. QO may be considered its direc-
tion. Hence the work which must be done in moving
the particle from P to Q is F. PQ cos MQP, which, since
PM and PQ may be considered straight lines and PM is
at right angles to OQ, is equal to F . MQ. Now p and q
being at the same distance from as P and Q respectively,
the force on the particle, if taken from p to q, would be F
also, and MQ =pq. Hence the work which must be done
in moving the particle from P to Q is the same as that
necessary to move it from p to q. We may treat every
element of the path in the same way. Hence, by sum-
mation, the work necessary to move the particle from A
to B is equal to that necessary to move it from a to 5 in
a straight line.
Hence also the work done in moving a particle from
J. to £ is independent of the path, and depends only on
the initial and final distances of the points.
339. (a) The Force directly proportional to the Distance
of the Particle from the Centre. — Let / be its value at
unit distance. Then its values at a and B are /. Oa and
/. OB respectively. Hence its mean value per unit dis-
tance between a and B is ^f{Oa+OB} ; and consequently
the work which must be done in moving the particle from
a to B, and therefore from A to B, is
341] OF A PAKTICLE. 249
y{Oa-\- OB)(OB- Oa) = 1/(05^- Oa^) = IfiO^-OA^).
If r and It are the initial and final distances respectively,
the work done is ^/{R^—r^).
340. (6) The Force inversely proportioTial to the Square
of the Distance of the Particle from the Gevdre. — Let / be
its value at unit distance. Then its values at p and q
a,vef/Op^ and f/Oq^ respectively. Since pq is indefinitely
small, the value of the force between p and q may be put
equal to either or to the intermediate value f/{Op . Oq).
Hence 'the work which must be done in moving the
particle from ^ to g' is
Let the line aB be divided into the indefinitely small
portions (or elements) ap^, p^^ etc., Pn-iB. Then,
adding together the amounts of woi-k done throughout all
the elements of aB, the work done in moving the particle
from a to B, and therefore from A to B, is
^Aoa~OB) ^AoA~ Ob) ^Ar'B.)'
if r and R are the initial and final distances respectively.
Hence also the work done in moving the particle from
a point at distance r to a point at an infinite distance from
the centre is f/r.
341. Eoaamples.
(1) Find the work done by the weight of a body of 20 lbs. mass
during the first three seconds of its fall from rest.
Ans. 93,315-6... ft.-poundals.
(2) A body of 80 lbs. mass is projected along a rough horizontal
250 DYNAMICS ■ [341
plane (coeiRcient of friction =0-25) with a speed of 50 ft. per sec.
Find the work done against friction in 1 sec.
Ans. 919'5 ft. -pounds.
(3) Show that the work done in drawing a heavy body up a
rough inclined plane is the same as if the body were drawn along
the equally rough base arid then lifted through the vertical
height.
(4) The distance from J!" to Yia 105 miles, and there are 27 inter-
mediate stations. Train A stops at all stations. Train B runs
through without stopping. The average resistances to A and B
with the brakes off are equal to ,^1,^ and -^ of their respective
weights. With the brakes on, the resistances are in both cases
equal to ^V of the respective weights. Suppose the brakes to be
always applied when the speed has been reduced to 30 miles per
hour and not before, find which train is the more expensive and by
how much per cent.
Ans. Traill A, by 9'4. . . per cent.
(5) A particle of mass m moves in a circular path of radius r, (a)
with uniform speed, (6) with uniform rate of change of speed /.
Find the work done in both cases during the motion of the particle
through a semicircle.
Ans. (a) none, (6) irmrf.
(6) Show that in the case of a particle which is oscillating with a
simple harmonic motion, the work done during its motion from its
extreme position to its mean position is twice that done during its
motion from a distance equal to f of its amplitude to a distance
equal to J of its amplitude.
(7) Aparticle weighing ^ oz. has a simple harmonic motion of
0"5 sec. period. Find the work done during the motion from a
distance of 3 inches to a distance of 1 inch.
Ans. 0'0274 foot-poundals.
(8) Find the work done by the sun's attraction during the
motion of the earth from Aphelion to Perihelion. (Mass of
earth=6'14xl02' grammes, mass of sun = 324,000 times that of
342] OF A PARTICLE. 251
earth,' distance at Aphelion = l'512x 10'^ cm,, distance at Peri-
helion= 1-462 x 10" cm. See 316, Ex. 12.)
Ans. 1-79 X 10^9 ergs.
(9) At the three corners A, B, C, of a square A BCD (side =100
metres) are material particles of 3,928, 7,856, and 11,784 grammes
respectively. Find the work done against the gravitational attrac-
tion of the particles in moving 1 gramme from the centre to the
fourth comer.
Ans. 7-82 x lO"* erg approx.
342. Relation of Work done by Component Forces to
that done by Resultant. — The work done by a force
during any displacement of a particle is equal to the sum
of the quantities of work done by its components. — Let
00 be the force, OA, AB, EG,
its components, whose directions
may be any whatever. Let OD
be the displacement. By 8 (foot-
note), 6: a, ^, y being the in-
clinations of OC, OA, AB, and
° BC respectively to OJD,
OC cos 6 = OA cos a+AB cos /3-|-5Ccos y.
Multiplying by OD we obtain
OC.OBcose=OA.ODcosa+AB.ODcos^+BG.ODcosy,
by which the proposition is proved.
If F^, F^ etc., R denote the component and resultant
forces respectively, d^, d^, etc.^ r the component displace-
ments in the directions of the forces respectively, the
above may be written
F^d^ + F^d^ -I- etc. = "LFd = Rr,
care being taken that, where F and d have opposite
directions, the product must have the negative sign.
252 DYNAMICS [343
343. Energy. — We have seen that work is, said to be
done by a body against a force which is acting on it,
when it undergoes a displacement having a component in
a direction opposite to that of the force. When a particle
is thus able to do work it is said to possess work-power
or energy.
Energy being power of doing work is measured in
terms of the unit of work.
344. Kinetic Energy. — A particle which has a velocity
is able to do work against a force which has a component
in a direction opposite to its velocity. It is therefore
said to possess kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is thus
work-power due to the possession of a velocity.
To lind the kinetic energy of a particle we determine
the work done by it against any force during a given
diminution of its velocity. — Let the particle of mass m
have an initial velocity F,
and let it do work against a
constant force F. It will
undergo a displacement hav-
ing a component in a direc-
^ tion opposite to that of F.
^ "^ "> ' Let that component be d
and let the velocity of the particle be reduced to v. Let
the inclination of V to F'& line of action be a. Then the
particle has in that line a component initial velocity
Fcos a and an acceleration —F/m, and at right angles to
it an initial velocity Fsina and no acceleration. Hence,
after the displacement, its component velocity u in F's
line of action is such that
u^ - V^cos^a = - 2Fd/m.
Its resultant velocity v is such that
345] OF A PARTICLE. 253
Hence i;2 _ 72 = _ 2Fdlm,
and Fd^^mV^ — \mv^.
If the force against which the work is done be variable,
let the path of the particle be divided into a large num-
ber {n) of small displacements, so small that the force may
be considered constant during each. Let F^, F^, etc., be the
magnitudes of the force during these small displacements,
d^, d^, etc., the components of the displacements in the
lines of action which the force has during the displace-
ments, and v^, Vjj, etc., the velocities of the particle after
the successive displacements. Then
F^d^ = imV^-^mv^^,
F^d^ = lmv^^-lmv^\
etc.,
Fndn = hmv^ _ 1 — Jmi)^.
Hence, if IT be the whole work done, we have by sum-
mation W=\mY^-lmv\
Hence the work which can be done by a particle
during a given reduction of its velocity is equal to the
change produced in the product of half its mass into the
square of its velocity.
If its final velocity is zero, its work-power due to its
velocity is exhausted. In that case W=^mV^. Hence
the kinetic energy of a particle is equal to half the pro-
duct of its mass into the square of its velocity.
345. Potential Energy. — A particle which is acted
upon by such a force as that of gravitational attraction
and is in a position from which it can move in the direc-
tion of the force, can in virtue of its being so acted upon
do work against a second force having a component in a
direction opposite to that of the first. It therefore pos-
sesses work-power or energy. Thus a heavy body in a
position from which it can fall can do work against a
254 DYNAMICS [345
force acting on it in an upward direction, water from a
mill-pond, e.g., againstihe reaction of the buckets of a mill-
wheel. So also the string of a bent bow can do work
against the reaction of the arrow in contact with it.
This form of energy has been called energy of 'position
for an obvious reason, and static einergy to indicate its
independence of the particle's possessing a velocity. The
latter term however is defective as seeming to imply that
the particle possessing this form of energy must be in
equilibrium (323).
A particle acted on by a force and in a position firom
which it can move in the direction of the force may also
be recognized as possessing energy, if we note that, even
if no other force be supposed to act on it, it must move in
the direction of the force, gaining velocitj'' and therefore
work-power. For this reason energy of position has
appeared to some writers to be simply a potential form of
kinetic energy and it has been named for this reason
potential energy. We have seen however that a particle
acted on by a force and in a position from 'which it can
move in the direction of the force, may do work without
first acquiring kinetic energy ; and energy of position
must therefore rank as an independent form of energy.
The term potential energy should not therefore be em-
ployed in the sense in which it was first proposed. We
shall see however (356), that this form of energy has
a very simple relation to a quantity called the potential ;
and to indicate this relation- the term potential energy is
employed.
In speaking of a particle as possessing potential energy
we are taking a narrow view of the phenomenon and
neglecting the third law of motion, which states that a
force acting on a particle is but one aspect of *a stress
which acts between it and another. What we have said
of the one particle applies obviously equally to the other.
Hence the potential energy belongs not to either of the
347] OF A PARTICLE. 255
particles alone but to the pair, and it is due to the stress
between them. When we speak of the potential energy
as possessed by the one, we are imagining the other for
the moment to be immoveable, or, in other words, we are
taking the position of the other as our point of reference.
346. It follows from 345 that all forces do not confer
potential energy on the particles on which they act, but
those only in whose directions the particles can move.
If, e.g., a particle be in motion in contact with a rough
surface, it will be acted upon by friction. But the
direction of this force must always be opposite to that of
the particle's velocity, and the particle therefore cannot
move in its direction. Hence friction cannot confer
potential energy on a particle. Now all natural forces
may be divided into two classes, those of the one class
(including such as gravitational attraction) depending
only on the position of the particle acted upon, those of
the other class (including such as friction) depending
upon its velocity and having in all cases directions opposite
to that of its velocity. Potential energy is thus conferred
on a particle only by forces of the former class whose
action depends upon the position of the particle only,
and is independent of its velocity.
347. The particle will possess potential energy at
whatever point it may be placed of the region through-
out which the force acts, but the farther it is displaced
in the direction of the force the less it will have. The
excess of the value of its potential energy at any point P
over its value at another point Q is equal to the work it
can do in moving from P to Q. Now, even if it have no
initial velocity, it can move from P to Q though acted on
by a force F' opposite and indefinitely nearly equal to the
force F, to which its potential energy is due. And the
work done against F' during this displacement is the
product of F' into the component d of PQ in its direc-
tion. But since F' is indefinitely nearly equal to F, we
256 DYNAMICS [347
may put F'd = Fd. Hence the excess of the potential
energy at P over that at Q, and therefore the diminution
of potential energy during the motion from P to Q, is
equal to the work done on the particle, during the motion
from P to Q, by the force- to which the potential energy
is due. Hence also the increase of the potential energy
of a particle during any displacement is equal to the work
done against this force. Thus the potential energy of a par-
ticle of massm at a heightA,'is greater than that of a particle
of the same mass at the smaller height h by the amount
mg(h' — h). For the work done by the weight (mg) of m
during its motion from height h' to height h would be
mg(h' — h). Hence also the increase of potential energy
of a mass m in moving from a height h' to a height h is
mg{h—h').
348. The Law of Energy. — Let a particle having any
initial velocity V undergo displacement when under
the action of any number of forces F^, F^, etc. Let R be
their resultant and r the component in its direction of the
displacement b of the particle; then, the
acceleration of the particle being It/m,
it may be shown as in 344 that
Rr = Imv^ — |m V^. Now, if d^, d^, etc.,
' 2 are the components of the displacement
-f, in the directions- of the forces F^, F^,
etc., we have (342) Rr = 1,Fd. Hence
'2Fd = ^mv^—^mV^ ; i.e., the algebraic
sum of the quantities of work done by
the acting forces is equal to the increase of the kinetic
energy. If the displacement be finite, it may be shown
as in 344 that the same result holds.
We may write this result
^mv^ - Jm F2 + (2f i?W) = 0.
The quantity ^^{ — Fd) is (330) the algebraic sura of all the
349] OF A PAETICLE. 257
work done against the acting forces. Hence, in any dis-
placement of a particle, the increase of kinetic energy
together with the work done against the acting forces is
zero.
If now the acting forces are all independent of the
velocity of the particle, the work done against them is
equal to the increase of the potential energy of the
particle. Hence, in any displacement of a particle acted
on by forces independent of its velocity, the sum of
the increments of the kinetic and potential energies
is zero, or, in other words, the sum of the potential
and kinetic energies is constant. This result is the
Law of the Conservation of Energy as applied to a single
particle.
Forces which depend only on the position of the
particle acted upon are usually called conservative forces,
as being subject to the above law of conservation of
energy. Those which depend on the velocity are called
non-conservative forces.
If any of the acting forces are dependent upon the
velocity of the particle, the work done against them does
not result in the production of an equivalent amount of
potential energy. In such case, therefore, the sum of
the increments of the kinetic and potential energies, and
of the work done against such forces, is equal to zero.
This result is the Law of Energy as applied to a single
particle. The law of the conservation of energy is
obviously a special case of the more general law of
energy.
849. If a particle acted on by forces be in motion, its
energy at any instant consists partly of kinetic,, partly of
potential energy. During the motion the relative amounts
of these energies will in general change. In such a case its
energy is said to be undergoing trcmsformation. Thus
the energy of a pendulum at the extremity of its swing
258 DYNAMICS [349
is wholly potential energy. In its mean position (if it be
supposed that the string cannot be cut, and that the bob
therefore cannot fall lower than the mean position) the
energy is wholly kinetic; at intermediate positions it
possesses energy of both kinds. The transformations of
a particle's energy are always subject to the law of
energy. Thus the sum of the kinetic and potential
energies of the pendulum at any instant, together with
the work done since any former instant against non-
conservative forces, must be equal to the energy of the
pendulum at that former instant. If the forces acting are
all of the conservative class, the sum of the kinetic and
potential energies of the pendulum must be the same at
all instants.
350. Examples.
(1) Compare the amounts of the momentum and kinetic energy
in (a) a mass of 20 lbs. having a speed of 16 ft. per sec, and (6) a
mass of 1 oz. moving at 5,120 ft. per sec.
Ans. Momenta the same, kinetic energy of (6) 320 times that of (a).
(2) A cannon ball of 5,000 grammes is discharged with a speed of
500 metres per sec. Find the kinetic energy in (a) ergs, and (6)
foot-pounds.
Ans. {a) 6-25 x 10^2, (6) 4-61 x 10^, approx.
(3) A bale of goods weighing 1 cwt. is lifted 20 ft. Tind the
increment of its potential energy.
Ans. 2,240 ft.-pounds.
(4) A bow 1 yard long is straight when the string is just tight,
but when bent has the form of a circular arc of 1 ft. 6 in. radius.
The mean force exerted by the hand in bending, per unit distance
through which it has moved, is equal to the weight of 10 lbs. Find
the potential energy of the bow.
Ans. 483 ft.-poundals.
(5) A body is projected either (a) vertically upwards, or (6) in
352] OF A PAKTICLE. 259
any direction. Show, by calculating its kinetic and potential
energies after any time, that in both cases the energy of the body
is the same at all points of its path. [Neglect the resistance of the
air and assume g to have the same value at all points of the path.]
(6) A meteorite falls in a straight line towards the earth from a
great distance, no other heavenly body being supposed near. Show,
by calculating the changes produced in its kinetic and potential
energies between any two points of its path, that there is no change
produced in its energy.
(7) A particle weighing 1 lb. has a simple harmonic motion with
a period of 20 sec. and an amplitude of 1 ft. Find (a) its kinetic
energy in its mean position, (5) its potential energy in either ex-
treme position, (c) its kinetic energy and potential energy and their
sum when at a distance of 8 inches from the mean position.
Ans. (a) 7r2/200 ft.-poundals, (6) the same, (e) kinetic energy
= 7r7360 ft.-poundals, potential energy = 7r2/450 ft.-poundals, their
sum=7r2/200 ft.-poundals.
351. Application of the Law of Energy to Kinetic
Problems. — The law of energy being a generalized form
of the laws of motion may be applied at once to the
solution of kinetic problems such as those of 320. If the
forces acting are all conservative, the law of the conser-
vation of energy is applicable. If some of the forces are
non-conservative, and if the work done against them
cannot be determined, the law of energy cannot be
applied.
352. Examples.
(1) What speed will the bow of 350, Ex. 4, communicate to an
arrow weighing 2 oz. [Assume no work done against non-conserv-
ative forces.]
Ans. 87'9 ft. per sec.
(2) A ball weighing 5 oz. and moving with a speed of 1,000 ft.
per sec. strikes a shield 2 inches thick and after piercing it moves
on with a speed of 400 ft. per sec. Find the force (supposed
260 DYNAMICS [352
uniform) with which the shield resisted the ball. [Assume as
above.]
Ans. 787500 poundals.
(3) Find the height (h) to which a body weighing 2 grammes and
projected vertically upwards with a speed of 20 metres per sec. will
have risen before its speed is reduced to 5 metres per sec, assuming
the mean resistance of the air to the motion of the body per unit of
distance travelled to be 10 dynes.
Loss of kinetic energy = 3,750,000 ergs, gain of potential energy
= 1,962A ergs, work done against resistance = 10A ergs. Hence
A = 1,091 -6 cm.
(4) A body of mass m is projected with speed V up an inclined
plane of inclination a, the coefficient of kinetic friction being /i.
Find the space s traversed before the body comes to rest.
Loss of kinetic energy =\m,V^, gain of potential energy = mgs sin a,
work done against friction =/im5'« cos a. Hence
mgs sin a + langa cos o — Jm V^ = 0,
and s = V^/l^g (sin o + ;ti cos a)].
Hence also the acceleration is constant and equal to ,9(sin o +ai cos a).
(5) Find the speed v of the bob (mass = m) of a simple pendulum
(length = Z) which has swung from its extreme position through a
given angle, neglecting the resistance of the air.
Let ;3 be the angle made with the vertical in the extreme position,
e the angle made with the vertical in the position in which the
speed of the bob is to be determined. The kinetic energy gained
is ^v\ The vertical height through which the bob has fallen
is I cos S — I COS p, and therefore the potential energy lost is
mgl(cos e — cos p). The stress in the string has done no work
because the bob has had no displacement in its direction. Hence
^nv^ - mgl{cos 6 - cos /3) = 0,
and i)2 = 2^Z(cose-cosi3).
The reader should solve some of the Examples of 320 and 329 by
the application of the law of energy. Those of 322 cannot be solved
354] OF A PARTICLE. 261
by this method, because we as yet know too little of the forces which
come into play during impact. We cannot tell whether or not they
are conservative forces, nor can we calculate the work done against
them.
35.3. Application of the Law of Energy to Static
ProhlemiS. — The law of energy may also be employed to
obtain an expression for the conditions of equilibrium of
a particle. A particle in equilibrium must either be at
rest or be moving uniformly. In any indefinitely small
displacement of a particle, therefore, from a position in
which it is in equilibrium, whether or not it be one
which the particle actually undergoes, there can be no
change of velocity, and hence no change of kinetic energy.
But in any displacement the sum of the increments of
potential and kinetic energies, together with the work
done against non-conservative forces, must be zero. Hence
in any indefinitely small displacement from a position of
equilibrium the increment of the potential energy, to-
gether with the amount of work done against non-
conservative forces, or, in other words, the work done
against (and therefore by) all the forces acting on the
particle, must be zero. With the symbols of 342, "LFd = 0.
This equation might have been deduced at once from
that of 342, viz., 1,Fd = Br. For, since for equilibrium
E = 0, wehave2FcZ = 0.
A small displacement which a particle in equilibrium
may be supposed to undergo is often called its virtual
displacement or virtual velocity, and its product into the
component of any acting force in its direction the virtual
work or the virtual moment of the force. The condition
of equilibrium as obtained above is then called the
Principle of Virtual Work or of Virtual Velocities.
354. Example.
A particle of weight W is on the point of moving up an inclined
262 DYNAMICS . [354
plane of inclination a under a force F inclined 6 to the plane, the
coefficient of friction being n. Find F in terms of W.
The inclination of the reaction E of
the plane to the normal FNise= tan" V
As we wish to find F in terms of W,
we select a displacement FA perpen-
dicular to B. If then AB, AC be
drawn perpendicular to the directions
of F and W respectively, the work
done by F, W, and R during the dis-
placement are F. PB, - W. PC, and
zero respectively. Hence F.PB-W.PC=0,
and consequently F.oosAPB- WcosAPO=0.
Now the angle APB is equal to O-e, and the angle AFC to
90°-n-e. Hence Fcoa(e-e)-Wsia{a + e) = Q,
and substituting for e its value tan~V,
E-_p|7 sin g -Ha cos g
" cos S -I- A sin S
The reader should apply this method to some of the Examples of
327 and 329.
355. Potential. — The region surrounding one or more
centres of force (an attracting mass, for example) is called
a field of force. If a particle be moved from any one to
any other point in such a field, work is in general done
either by or against the resultant force of the field, and
the amount .of work so done we have seen to be inde-
pendent of the path (338). If therefore some convenient
point of reference be chosen, the work done in bringing a
given particle, say a particle. of unit mass, from any other
point to the chosen point has a definite value for every
point of the field. So also will the work done in carrying
the given particle from the chosen point to all other
points of the field. This definite value, when the
given particle is one whose mass is unity, is called the
potential of the point. The magnitude of the potential
of a point will depend upon the position of the point of
356] OF A PARTICLE. 263
reference, and its sign will vary according as we give the
name potential to the work done during motion to or
from the point of reference and by or against the force of
the field. The choice of the point of reference and of the
exact mode of defining potential are matters of conven-
ience and vary with the kind of field of force under
consideration.
356. The importance of the potential depends upon the
following proposition : —
The rate of change of the potential per unit distance
in any direction at any point of afield of force is equal
to the coTnponent force in that direction with which a
particle of unit mass would be acted upon if placed at
that point. — Let A, £ he two points in the field of force
and G the chosen point of reference. Since the work
done during any displacement is independent of the path
of the particle, the work done in carrying unit mass from
A to £ is equal to the difference of the amounts of work
done in carrying it from AioC and from S to C. Hence,
if F^ and Vb are the potentials of A and B, the differ-
ence Va ~ Vb is equal to the work done in carrying the
unit mass from A to B or from B to A. If now F is the
component in AB of the mean force per unit distance
acting on the particle between A and B, the work done
between A and B is F . AB. Hence
F.AB^Va-Vb,
and ^ F=(rA^rs)/AB.
If now B be indefinitely near A, F becomes the compon-
ent force at A in the line AB, and (F4 - Vb)/AB the rate
of change of the potential at A per unit distance in the
line AB. Hence the above proposition is proved.
As the value of a central force at any point of the
region through which it acts is equal to the rate of
change of the potential at that point, such forces are said
to be derivable from a potential.
264 DYNAMICS [356
It follows from 347 that F .AB is the difference be-
tween the potential energies of unit mass at A and at B.
This difference is thus equal to the difference in the values
of the potential for these points. Hence the appropriate-
ness of the term potential energy.
357. If at any point, F= 0, there also the rate of chaoge
of potential must be zero. Hence, e.g. (316, Ex. 5), at all
points inside a uniform spherical shell the gravitational
potential is the same.
358. Fqwipotential Surfaces. — A surface, at every
point of which the potential has the same value, is called
an equipotential surface. The attraction on a particle
placed at any point of such a surface will be normal to
the surface. For in no direction tangential to the surface
is there a rate of change of potential or, consequently, a
component force.
We may imagine equipotential surfaces drawn in any
field of force for any values of the potential. If they be
drawn for values increasing by equal amounts, which are
also small, the resultant force acting at any point will be
inversely proportional to the distance between successive
equipotential surfaces in the neighbourhood of the point.
For, if A and B are the successive equipotential sur-
faces, and AB the distance between them at any point,
y^A ~ "^B is constant, and hence (356) F oc 1/AB.
359. Lines of Force. — ^A line so drawn in a field of force,
that its direction at any point is also the direction of the
resultant force at that point, is called a line of force. As
the resultant force at a point has no component in the
tangent plane of the equipotential surface passing through
the point, lines of force must be normal to the equi-
potential surfaces they may meet.
360. Tubes of Force. — If from points in the boundary
of any portion of an equipotential surface lines of
362] OF A PARTICLE. 265
force be drawn, the space thus marked off is called a tube
of force.
361. Oravitational Potential.— We may consider, as of
special importance, the potential in a field of force due to
gravitational attraction. If such a field is due to the
attraction of a single particle of mass m, the force on
unit mass at unit distance (the astronomical unit of mass
(315) being employed) is m. Hence (340) the work done
in moving unit mass from one point at a distance r to
another at a distance JR is m(l/r— 1/i?). If R is in-
finitely great, the work done is equal to m/r. Hence if
the chosen point of reference be a point at an infinite
distance from the attracting particle, the potential of a
point at a distance r has the magnitude m/r. If the
field is due to any number of particles of masses, m^,
m^, etc., the magnitude of the potential will be 'Si{m/r).
It is convenient to have the potential for aU points of
a gravitational field positive. Now gravitational force
being in all cases attractive, the work done by the force
of a field in moving a particle from a greater to a smaller
distance from the attracting mass is always positive.
Hence in this case we define the potential of a point
as the work done by the force of the field in moving
unit mass from a point at an infinite distance from the
attracting mass, to the given point.
362. It follows that the component force on unit mass
at a given point of a gravitational field in a given direc-
tion is equal to the rate of increase of the potential per
unit distance in the same direction.
It follows also (347) that with the above convention,
if Pa and Pb are the potential energies of unit mass at
A and B, and Va and Fg the potentials of these points
respectively,
Va-Vb=-(Pa-Pb);
266 DYNAMICS [ 362
and that therefore the rate of increase of the potential
with distance in a given direction is equal to the rate of
decrease of the potential energy of unit mass in the same
direction.
363. Calculation of the Potential. — The value of the
quantity 2(m/r) for a given point may, in simple cases,
be determined by elementary mathematical methods.
Usually, however, the Integral Calculus is necessary to
effect the summation.
364. Examples.
(1) Show that the potential at a given point due to particles of
masses m^, m^, etc., situated on either a circle or a, sphere whose
radius is r and centre the given point, is equal to (2m)/r.
(2) Particles of masses 3'928, 39"28, and 392'8 kilogrammes are
situated at three of the corners of a square whose side is 1 metre.
Find the potential at the fourth corner.
Ans. 1-0807 C. G. S. units.
(3) Find the potential (a) at the centre of a thin circular wire of
linear density p, and (5) at a point on a line through its centre per-
pendicular to its plane, distant I from all points of the wire.
Ans. (a) 27r/), (6) ^icprjl.
(4) Find the potential at the centre of a circular plate of radius r
and surface density p.
Ans. 'ivpr.
(5) Find the potential at the centre due to a sector of the plate
of Ex. 4, of angle 6 radians.
Ans. r0p.
(6) Find the potential (a) at any point inside a uniform spherical
shell of mass m and radius r, and (6) outside it at a distance d from
its centre. [See 316, Exs. 5 and 6.]
Ans. (a) mir, (b) m/d.
365]
OF A PARTICLE.
267
(7) A, a point uear the earth's surface, is h feet above another
such point B. Find the excess of the potential of A over that
of A
Ans. -gh.
365. Integral Normal Attraction over a Surface. — If
any closed surface in a field of force be divided into
indefinitely small portions, the sum of the products of the
areas of these portions into the normal components out-
wards (or inwards) of the forces exerted at them on unit
mass is called the integral normal attraction over the
surface (in the language of the Higher Mathematics, the
surface integral of normal attraction).
The integral normal attraction over any closed surface
in a gravitational field of force is equal to 4x times the
mass enclosed by the surface. — Let m be the mass of any
Figi
Figs
particle, at 0, of the attracting mass. Let a cone of
indefinitely small solid angle meet the closed surface 8
at Pj, Pj, P3, P^, etc., marking out on it areas A^, A^, A^, A^,
etc., inclined to orthogonal sections of the cone at the
angles 6^, 6^ 6^, 6^, etc., radians. The resultant force due
to this particle at P^, P^, P^, P^, etc., is towards and
inversely proportional to OP,^ OP^, OP^, OP^, etc. The
normal components at these points are therefore pro-
portional to cos ejOP^, cos ejOP^, etc. The orthogonal
sections of the cone at P^, P^, etc., have areas proportional
to OP^, OP^, OP^, etc. Hence the sections inclined to
them at the angles d^, 6^, etc., at the same points, have,
since the cone is of indefinitely small angle, areas pro-
268 DYNAMICS [365
portional to OP^^/cos 6,, 0P,7cos d^, etc. The products
of the areas A^, A^, etc., into the respective normal
components of the force over them are therefore con-
stant.
If now the point be outside the surface, the force
at Pj is outwards, that at P^ inwards, that at P^ out-
wards, that at P^ inwards, and so on ; and the cone must
meet the surface an even number of times. Hence, if
the forces at Pj, P^, etc., be reckoned either all outwards
or all inwards, as many of the above equal products are
positive as negative, and their algebraic sum is con-
sequently zero. But the whole surface may be divided
into indefinitely small areas by such cones. Hence the
integral normal attraction over the surface is equal
to zero when the attracting mass is a particle outside
it.
If the point be inside the surface, the cone whose
vertex is will cut the surface in whatever direction it
be drawn an odd number of times. Hence the sum of
the products of the areas intercepted by the cone into the
normal components of the attractions at them is equal to
the value of the product at any one section. At P the
normal component of the attraction is m cos dJOP/- If
w is the 'solid angle of the cone (in solid radians), the
area of the section at Pj is w. OP^/cos 0^. Hence the
value of the above product at Pj is wm, and consequently
the value of the integral normal attraction, is the product
of m into the sum of the solid angles of all the cones with
(inside the surface) as vertex, by which the surface
may be divided into small elements, which is 4^. Hence
the value of the integral normal attraction when and
therefore m are inside is 47rm.
Hence its value when any mass M is inside is
366. In a tube of force whose ends are indefinitely
368] OF A PARTICLE. 269
small portions of equipotential surfaces, the force perpen-
dicular to the tuhular portion of
the surface vanishes, and at the
end surfaces the resultant force is
normal. — Let jF\ and F^ be the
resultant forces at the ends, and
let Sj, Sj be the indefinitely small
areas of the ends. If then the
tube contain no attracting mass,
one of the two, F^, F^, is outwards, the other inwards, and
we have, by 365, F^s^—F^8^ = 0, i.e., if F be the force at
any point of a small tube of force and s its normal section
at that point, ^s = constant, ov F oc 1/s. Hence the
resultant force at any point of a small tube of force is
inversely proportional to its transverse section at that
point.
367. If the attracting mass is a uniform spherical shell
or a sphere with density proportional to distance from
the centre, the lines of force are clearly straight lines
radiating from the centre, and the tubes offeree are cones,
right sections of which are directly proportional to the
squares of their distances from the vertex of the cone or
centre of the sphere. Hence the attraction exerted by
a sphere such as that specified above, at external points,
is inversely proportional to the squares of their distances
from its centre. (Compare 316, Ex. 6.)
368. If the attracting mass is a cylinder of circular
section and infinite length and with density proportional
to distance from the axis, the lines of force are clearly
straight lines perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder,
and the tubes of force are therefore wedges, the areas of
right sections of which are directly proportional to their
distances from the axis. Hence the forces at external
points are inversely proportional to their distances from
the axis.
270 DYNAMICS [369
369. If the attracting mass is a plate of uniform thick-
ness and infinite extent, and with the density at its
various points proportional to their distances from either
bounding surface, the lines of force are clearly straight
lines normal to either bounding surface, and the tubes of
force therefore are cylinders of constant section. Hence
the forces exerted at all external points are the same.
370. If a tube of force cut through a plate of attracting
matter of surface density p, and if the area of the plate
inside the tube he or, we have (365 and 366)
^A--f'2S2-47r/)cr.
If the plate be indefinitely thin and the ends of the tube
indefinitely near the surfaces of the plate, s^ = (t = s^.
Hence F^-F^^4>Trp,
i.e., the attractions on unit mass on opposite sides of the
plate at points indefinitely near it difier by inrp. As
they are clearly equal in magnitude and opposite in direc-
tion, the attraction at either side indefinitely near the
plate is thus 2x/). (Compare 316, Ex. 1.)
371. The potential cannot have a maximum or a mini-
mum value at a point in free space. For, if it could, it
must increase or diminish respectively from point to
point in all directions outwards from the given point, and
hence the force at all points of a small surface enclosing
the given point must be outwards or inwards respectively,
/ and must consequently have a finite value, though the
surface encloses no attracting mass.
Hence, if the potential is constant over a closed surface
containing no attracting mass, it must be constant
throughout the whole enclosed space. For otherwise
there must be somewhere in it a point of maximum or
minimum potential.
373] OF A PAKTICLK. 271
372. A field of force whose law is that of gravitation
may be so mapped out by lines of force that they may
indicate not only the direction, but also the magnitude of
the forces acting at different parts of the field. For let
Sj, Sj be normal sections of any tube of force not enclosing
any attracting mai^s, and F^, F^ the resultant forces on unit
mass at these sections. Then these sections are cut through
by the same number of lines of force. Let the number
(n) be such that F.^ = n/Sj^. Then, since FjS^ = F^8^, we
have also F^ = n/s^. Hence, if the lines of force in a tube
of force are so drawn that at any one point the quotient
of their number by the normal .section of the tube is
equal to the force at that point, the same will be true for
any other point. If therefore the lines of force of a field
are so drawn that over any equipotential surface the
number of lines of force per unit of area at every point is
equal to the force at that point, then throughout the field
the number of lines of force per unit of area normal to
them at any point will be equal to the force at that
point.
373. A uniform field of force is one at all points of
which the resultant force has the same magnitude and
direction. The tubes of force must therefore be cylinders,
and the lines of force must be parallel straight lines, equal
numbers of which pass through equal areas normal to
their direction.
2 72 DYNAMICS [374
CHAPTER III.
DYNAMICS OF SIMPLE SYSTEMS OF PAETICLES.
374. For the discussion of the motion of a single
particle we have found the first two laws of motion to
be sufficient. If we wish, however, to discuss the
motions of even only two particles which act upon one
another, we have to deal with both aspects of the stress
between them and must know how the stress affects both
particles. The third law tells us that, it affects them
equally in opposite directions, producing in them equal
and opposite changes of momentum in the same time.
"With the aid of the third law it is often possible to pass
from particle to particle of a simple system, applying to
each particle the equations of motion or the conditions of
equilibrium of a single particle, and thus determining the
motion of the whole system.
375. It is hardly necessary to point out that the law
of energy also may be applied to a system of particles.
For since, if the system is in motion, the increment of
the potential and kinetic energies, together with the
work done against non-conservativfe forces, during any
displacement, is for each particle equal to zero, it must be
equal to zero also for the whole system. And since, if
the particles of the system are in equilibrium, the sum of
the quantities of work done by the forces acting on each
particle during any small displacement is zero, it is zero
also for all together.
377] ~ OF SIMPLE SYSTEMS OF PARTICLES. 273
376. The forces acting on a system of particles may
be divided into two classes, those acting between the
particles of the system and bodies exteriial to the system,
called external forces, and those acting between the
particles of the system themselves, called internal forces.
The internal forces may be mutual attractions such as
gravitational attraction, explosive forces, reactions exerted
during collision, or the stresses or tensions in connecting
strings. Some of these cases may be dealt with without
further comment.
377. Examples.
(1) Two particles of masses, 20 lbs., and 1 lb. respectively, initially
at rest on a smooth horizontal table attract one another. After a
time the greater mass has a velocity of 10 ft. per sec. Find the
velocity of the other.
Ans. 200 ft. per sec. in the opposite direction.
(2) Two attracting particles initially at rest on a smooth hori-
zontal table are observed at a given instant to be approaching one
another with a speed w, the speed of each particle being measured
relatively to the other. If m and M are their masses, find their
speeds v and V respectively relative to a fixed point in the table.
Ans. v=Mu/{m+M), V=mu/{m + M).
(3) A body having a velocity of 10 ft. per see. in a given direction
is divided by an explosion into two portions whose masses are 2 lbs.
and 1 lb. respectively. Both portions move, after the explosion, in
the original line of motion, and the portion of smaller mass has a
velocity of 25 ft. per sec. in the original direction of motion, (a)
Find the velocity of the other portion. (6) Find what it would
have been had the velocity of the smaller portion been 50 instead
of 25 ft. per sec. (c) Find the value of the explosive impulse in
the latter case.
Ans. (a) 2J ft. per sec. in the given direction, (6) 10 ft. per sec. in
the opposite direction, (c) 40 absolute ft.-lb.-sec. units of impulse.
(4) Two particles of masses m and m' astronomical units, moving
on a smooth horizontal table, attract one another according to the
S
274 DYNAMICS [377
gravitational law. Find the acceleration of either relative to the
other when they are at a distance d.
Each is acted on by a force mm'IcP. Hence their accelerations
are m'l(P and ml, they must be equal. Hence
m(u— V) = = n(V—v).
7nu+nv
Hence also V=
m+n
-. mniu — v)
and d> = ^ \
^ m+n
379. If there be recoil, the impulse of the stress $ may
be determined in terms of the value it would have if
there were none. For u' and v' being the component
379] OF SIMPLE SYSTEMS OF PARTICLES. 275
velocities of iii and n respectively after collision, in the
direction of the stress, we have
Hence
m{u — xd) = ^ = n{v'— v).
# Vj — u' v'—v
m') are connected by a
massless inextensible string which passes over a smooth horizontal
cylinder (or peg, or pulley). Knd their accelerations and the ten-
sion in the string.
As the tension T is the same throughout the
string, each particle is acted upon by two
forces, T vertically upwards and its weight down-
wards. As the string is inextensible and m is
greater than m', m will move downwards with
the same acceleration a with which m' moves
upwards. The resultant force downwards on m is ^''
mg-T. Hence (317) a={mg-T)lm. The result-
ant force upwards on w! is T—m'g. Hence
a=(T-m'g)lm,'. Equating these values of a we
obtain
{mg- T)/m=(T-m'g)/m'.
Hence T=^^^g;
m + m'
and substituting this value of J' in either of the above expressions
tor a, we have a= a.
m + m'"
Otherwise, by applying the law of energy, thus : Let m move down
and therefore m' up through a distance s, and let the initial and
/•■T
mg
280 DYNAMICS [382
final velocities be V and v respectively. Then the gain of kinetic
energy is ^{m + m'Xv^— V^). Equal amounts of work are done by
and against T. The work done against the weight of m' is m'gs,
that done by the weight of m is mc/s. Hence the total gain of
potential energy is {m' — m)gs. If we neglect the resistance of the
air there are no othe* forces acting. Hence
and »«- V^ = ^~'^',qs,
m+m'
from which it follows that the particles are moving with constant
acceleration of magnitude (m — m')g/(m+m').
If m and m' are known and if a be observed, g may be determined.
But, as no smooth bodies exist in nature and the conditions of the
above ideal problem cannot therefore be realized, this mode of
determining 5' is of no value. Atwood's Motchine, a piece of appar-
atus of historic interest, is an attempt to realize as nearly as
possible the above ideal arrangement. The string passes round a
pulley so rough that the string does not slip on it. The axis of the
pulley is mounted on " friction wheels " which diminish the friction
of the axis very greatly. When the particles move the pulley
rotates, and the kinetic energy produced exists partially in the
rotating pulley. Work is also done against friction and the resist-
ance of the air. The complete discussion of this apparatus is
therefore too complicated for us at our present stage.
(2) At the extremity of a string which passes over a frictionless
pulley moving in a vertical plane are masses of m and 3 lbs.
Initially the masses are at rest at the same height, and 3 seconds
later the mass m is 72 feet below the other. Show that ra = 5 lbs.
(3) Bodies of p and q grms. {p > q) respectively are attached to
the ends of a string which passes over a pulley. At the end of
each second after motion begins, 1 grm. is taken from p and added
to q without jerking. Show that the motion will be reversed
after^ — g"-!-! seconds.
(4) Two particles of masses m and m' move on two rough inclined
planes (inclinations a and a', coefficients of friction m and mO in a
382] OF SIMPLE SYSTEMS OF PARTICLES. 281
vertical plane normal to the intersection of the inclined planes.
They are connected by a strjng which passes over a smooth peg at
the common summit of the inclined planes. Find their common
acceleration, assuming m to move down its plane.
Ans. {m(sin a - /t cos a) - ?n'(sin a' +/co8 a')]gl{m + m').
(5) A body weighing 19 lbs. is placed at the centre of a smooth
round table 6'44 ft. in diameter. It is moved by a body weighing
1 lb. at the end of a cord passing over the edge of the table. How
long will it be before it reach the edge of the table ?
Ans. 2 sees.
(6) A mass of 6 oz. slides down a smooth inclined plane whose
height is half its length, and draws another mass by means of a
string along a smooth horizontal table which is level with the top
of the inclined plane over which the string passes. In 5 sees, from
rest it moves through 3 feet. Find the mass on the table.
Ans. 396-5 oz.
(7) A string having at one end an unknown mass M, and at the
other a small smooth massless ring, hangs over a smooth horizontal
cylinder. Through the ring a second string passes, having at
its ends masses m and m! {mf ■>m). Find (a) what value M must
have in order that m', if initially at rest, may remain at rest during
the motion of the system, and (6) the acceleration of the ring.
Ans. (a) ;, (6) ^ a.
(8) Three particles A, B,G of masses mj, mj, m^ {m^>m2) are
connected by strings, .4 to i? and B to C. The string between A
and B passes over a smooth horizontal cylinder. C lies on a table
vertically below B and the string joining B and C is slack. At a
given instant A and B begin to move from rest, and after t sec.
the string between B and C tightens. Determine the subsequent
motion.
The acceleration with which A and B move while BC is slack is,
Ex. 1, (jKi - m^glim^ + m^. Hence their velocity at the instant at
which BC becomes tight is {m,i-m^gtl{m^ + m,^. Call this v. Let
u be the common speed oi A, B, and C immediately after the tight-
ening of BC. Then C"s momentum upwards has suddenly increased
282
DYNAMICS
[382
by TO3M. It has therefore been acted upon by a short-lived stress
of impulse m^u upwards. A'& momentum in an upward direction
has changed from —m^ to — m^M. Hence it has
been acted upon by a stress of impulse m,i{v-u)
upwards. Both these stresses have acted on 5— the
latter upwards, the former downwards. Hence the
impulse of the resultant upward stress on B is
m^{v-u)-miU. Now ^'s momentum upwards has
changed from m^i) to m^. Hence (319)
and
mj(i> - It) — m^ii = TTi^iu -v),
The acceleration with which A, B, and C move after BC becomes
tight may be shown (as in Ex. 1) to be
m^+m^ + m^
Hence the subsequent motion is determined. If m^+in^^ m,^, the
acceleration is negative, the velocity will gradually diminish from
u to zero, and the direction of motion will then be reversed.
"We cannot apply the law of energy to a problem such as the
above, because we do not know what non-conservative forces may
be acting, and cannot therefore determine the work done against
them.
(9) Three bodies A, B, C oi equal mass are connected by strings
A to B and B to C. A and B are placed close together on a smooth
horizontal table, and C hangs over the edge. The string AB is 3
ft. long, and B is 3'5 ft. from the edge. Find the velocity of A (a)
when it begins to move, and (5) when B arrives at the edge.
Ans. (a) Z'Jg/S, (b) Jbgfs.
(10) Two particles A and B of equal mass are connected by a
string which passes over a smooth horizontal cylinder. While
moving with a speed v (A moving downwards) a third particle, C,
of the same mass and at rest, is suddenly attached to the string
between A and the cylinder. Find {a) the common speed of A and
382]
OF SIMPLE SYSTEMS OF PARTICLES.
283
C immediately after C's attachment, (6) the time after which the
string BC again becomes tight, (c) the common speed of A and C
and the speed of B just before the string BC tightens, and {d) the
common speed of all three just after the string tightens.
Ana. (a) »/2, (6) v\<^g), (c) v, ?)/2 ; (rf) 5«)/6.
(11) In Ex. 4, find the ratio of the masses m and m' that there
may be equilibrium with m on the point of moving down its plane.
Equating to zero the value of the acceleration found above (Ex.
4), we have
m(sin a - M cos a) - m'(sin a ' + /I'cos a') = 0,
m _ siu a' + yn'cos a'
ml sin a — At cos a '
Otherwise thus : The acting forces are represented in the figure.
and
which will be understood without explanation. Resolving forces
parallel to the planes we obtain
T—imgwsxa + ii,R=Q,
T -m'g sina - ij! R' =0.
Resolving in directions perpendicular to the planes we obtain
R-mgco&a=Oj
R' -m'gcosa'—O.
Henee, substituting for R and R' in the first pair of equations their
values as given in the second pair and eliminating T, we obtain
m _ sin a + /i'cos a'
m! sin a — /* cos o '
284 DYNAMICS [382
Otherwise thus : Let the particles move a short distance s, m
down the plane CA and m' up the plane CB. Then, equating to
zero the algebraic sum of the amounts of work done by the various
forces on both particles during the displacement, we have
mgs sin o - m'ffs sin a' — fiRs — /i'-R'n = ;
and substituting for R and R' their values mg cos a and m'g cos a'
respectively, we obtain the same result as above.
(12) Two particles A and B of weights W and W are connected
by a string. A rests on a rough inclined plane (inclination = o, co-
efficient of friction=Ai) over whose smooth summit the string passes ;
and B hangs freely. Find the ratio of W' to W that there may be
equilibrium with A on the point of moving up the plane.
Ans. sin a + M cos a.
(13) A string fastened by one end at a fixed point A passes
through a fixed smooth ring at B, AB being horizontal, and is
pulled by a force at its other end. Between A and B a body of
weight W is hung by a smooth ring moveable on the string. How
near to AB will it be possible to raise this ring by pulling at the
string, if the string can bear a tension equal to 2 PT only.
Ans. ABjQQK
(14) A rough parabolic wire is placed with vertex upwards and
axis vertical. A small ring of weight W moving on the wire is
supported at one extremity of the latus rectum by a body of weight
W attached to a string passing over a smooth peg at the focus.
Find the coefficient of friction.
Ans. {W-W')I{W+W').
(15) Two small smooth rings sliding on a circular wire in a
vertical plane are connected by a string which passes through a
small smooth fixed ring at the highest point of the circle. Show
that if the masses of the moveable rings are inversely proportional
to the adjacent segments of the string, there will be equilibrium.
(16) Two particles A and B (masses m, and m') rest upon smooth
inclined planes of inclinations o and ^ respectively. They are con-
382]
OF SIMPLE SYSTEMS OF PARTICLES.
285
nected by a string (length =i) which passes over a smooth peg P,
vertically over the common summit
G of the two planes, and distant h
feet from it. Find the inclinations
e and
. Hence
m'g . Bb . sin ;8/cos ^ -mg .Aa. sia a/cos 9 = 0,
and
We have moreover
and
Hence
m
m
sin a
'cos 6
COS0
sin|8'
AP : Persia AGP : sin PAG
= coao : sine,
; PC= cos ^ : sin0.
BP .
ap+pb=pg(^-^+?^)
Vsinff sin0/
V sin 6 sin 0/
286 DYNAMICS [382
This equation with that obtained above are sufficient to determine
and (p when there is equilibrium.
The reader should solve the problem also by applying the condi-
tions of equilibrium in other ways.
(17) Two particles, of masses m and m', connected by a string, rest
upon the edge of a smooth vertical circular disc. Find the position
of equilibrium and the tension T in the string.
Ans. If a is the angle subtended at the centre by the string and
;3 the angle subtended by the portion between m and the highest
point, ^=tan-^ m'sina y^ T'^/^? u-
m + m cos a {m^ + m^ + 2mm cos o)'
(18) Three smooth tacks A, B, C are driven into a vertical wall,
B and C being on the same level. A string, to whose ends bodies
of equal weight to are attached, is hung over the three tacks. Find
the forces exerted by them on the string when there is equilibrium.
Ans. v&(i. + cos A)\ w2*(l - sin 5)*, ■w2*(l - sin C)* respectively.
(19) Two rough bodies rest on an inclined plane and are con-
nected by a string which is parallel to the plane, W and W being
the weights of the bodies, and |U, / their coefficients of friction, and
the rougher body having the higher position. Find the greatest
inclination of the plane consistent with equilibrium.
Ans. ta.u-\(^,W+,,'W')/(W+W')l
(20) Two bodies weighing A and B lbs. respectively are connected
by a string and placed on a rough horizontal table (coefficient of
friction =/*). A force P, which is less than n(A+B) but greater
than /I, s/a^ + B^, is applied to A in the direction BA, and its direc-
tion is gradually turned round through an angle in a horizontal
plane. Show that both A and B will slip when
6 = cos
.tjj:\E^-A^)+P'^
'ift.BP
Show also that, if P is less than y. iJa^+B'' but greater than liA, it
will cause A only to slip, and that -4 will slip when S=sin-^(M/^)-
(21) Particles A, B, etc., n in number, of weights iVi, w^, etc., are
connected to one another and to two fixed points P and Q whose
382]
OF SIMPLE SYSTEMS OF PARTICLES.
287
horizontal distance is d and vertical distance h, by weightless
strings, F being connected to A, A to B, and so on, and the last to
Q. The string oounecting P and A has the length a^, that connect-
ing A and B the length aji ^^^ so on. Find the tensions Ti, T^,
etc., in these strings and their inclinations Oj, Oj, etc., to the horizon,
when the particles are in equilibrium.
Each particle is acted upon by three forces, its weight and the
tensions in the strings attached to it. Since Wj, Wj, etc., are all verti-
cal, and since T^ and T^ are in the same plane as Wj, 'f^ and T^ in the
same plane as w^, and so on, the whole system must be in the verti-
cal plane through P, Q. A is in equilibrium under the forces 1\,
7*2, and Wj. Hence, resolving horizontally and vertically, we get
^icos oi - 2'2Cos ttj =0, and 7\sin oj - T^sin og - it'i = 0.
Similar equations may be obtained for each particle — in all in
equations. Moreover
and
d=^a^cosai+a20osa2+e,tc. H-a,„+iCos a„+i,
h = ajsin a^ + cjjsin a,^ + etc. + a„+isin a„+ j.
We have therefore 2«-l-2 equations involving 2w-l-2 unknown
quantities, viz., m -1-1 tensions and n+\ inclinations. The inclina-
tions of the strings being determined and their lengths given, the
positions of the particles are known.
288
DYNAMICS
[382
(22) Particles A, B, C, etc., m in number, are connected by-
weightless strings A to B, B to (7, etc., and the n^ to a fixed point
Q. A force of given magnitude T^ is applied to A through the
string PA. Knd the weights of the particles that the strings PA,
AB, etc., may have given inclinations a^, a^, etc., to the horizon.
P. From any point draw OP^, OP 2, etc., with
inclinations bj, a^, etc., to the horizon. These
lines have therefore the same directions as the
strings PA, AB, et-a. Draw a vertical line
meeting OP-^, OP 2, etc., in Py, P^, etc. If T2,
T^, etc., are the tensions in AB, EC, etc., the
particle A is acted upon by three forces, T-^, T^,
and Wj. These are represented in direction by
the lines OPj, P^O, and PxPi respectively.
Hence (325, c?) they are also represented by
these lines in magnitude. Similarly the forces
acting on B, viz., T^, 1\ and w^, are represented
in direction and thei'efore also in magnitude
"Pn.i ijy Qp^^ p^Q^ and P2-P3 respectively. Thus it
may be shown that P1-P2, P2P3, PsPt, etc., P^Pn+i represent the
weights %, W2, etc., on the same scale as that on which OP^ repre-
sents 7\. Hence the values of w^, w^, etc., may be determined by
carefully drawing the diagram (called a force diagram) and measuring
the lengths of PiP^, Pji^s, etc. For this reason the above method
is called a graphic method. It is of great practical value for the
rapid solution of engineering problems.
(23) Particles A, B, C, etc., are connected together and to two
fixed points, as in Ex. 21, and are in equilibrium, their masses m^,
m2, etc., and the inclinations of the strings Oj, Ug, etc., being known.
Any one of the strings is cut, say BC. Find the tensions t-^, (2 in
PA, AB respectively immediately afterwards. [These tensions are
called initial tensions, because they are the tensions when G, B
begin to move.]
A moves, after the cutting of the string, in a circle about P. At
the beginning of its motion its speed is zero, and hence the com-
ponent of its acceleration normal to its path {i.e., in the direction
^P) is zero. Its acceleration is therefore initially wholly tangential
382] OF SIMPLE SYSTEMS OF PARTICLES. 289
to its path (i.e., in a direction perpendicular to AF), A'a accelera-
tion in the direction AP being zero, the sum of the components in
that direction of the forces acting on A is zero also. Hence
ti — *2cos(oi — Og) — Mifli sin Oj = 0.
A'a acceleration in a direction perpendicular to AP is the quo-
tient by its mass of the sum of the component forces acting on it in
this direction, and is therefore
[m^g cos Oj — i^sinC"! — "2)]/™!-
B also after the cutting of the string moves in a circle about A , and
as above it may be shown that it has no acceleration relative to A
in the direction BA. Hence its acceleration in this direction is
equal to ^'s component acceleration in the same direction, and is
therefore equal to
But it is also equal to (i2 — ^iff ^™ "2) Ma- Hence
-^ - Cf sin a2=g cos ajsin (a^ — Og) ^ sin2(ai — 02)-
We have therefore two equations containing no other unknown
quantities than t■^ and t^, which therefore may be determined. The
instantaneous changes of tension on cutting BC are of course 2\ — t-^
and T^-t2, where 2\ and T^ are the tensions before cutting as
determined in Ex. 21.
(24) A particle is connected by two equal strings to two points in
the same horizontal line and is in equilibrium. Show that, accord-
ing as the inclination of the strings is less or greater than a right
angle, will the tension of either string be instantaneously increased
or diminished by cutting the other.
290 DYNAMICS [383
CHAPTER IV.
DYNAMICS OF FLEXIBLE INEXTENSIBLE STRINGS.
383. A string or cord or chain may be considered to be
a series or row of particles or elements placed end to end.
It may thus be regarded as a system of particles less
simple than those of Chapter III., but more simple than
those of subsequent chapters.
A perfectly flexible string is one which is capable of being
bent without the exertion of any finite force. An inex-
tensible string is one whose length is constant. Flexible
and inextensible strings are ideal. Real strings all re-
quire force to bend them and can be elongated. In many
cases however the forces required to bend real strings are
so slight and the elongations under the acting forces so
small that they may be considered to be practically per-
fectly flexible and inextensible.
Since such a string may be bent at any point without the
exertion of a,nj finite force, the internal forces acting at
that point can have no component normal to the direc-
tion of the string. For, otherwise, this component would
have to be overcome in bending the string and a finite
force would be necessary. Hence the stress in a flexible
string has at any point the direction of the string at the
point.
We restrict our attention to the simple case in which
384] OF FLEXIBLE INEXTENSIBLE STRINGS. 291
the string itself and the external forces acting on ,it are
in the same plane.
384. — Equations of Motion. — Let AB be a tense string
of which PP' is any element. Let the stresses in the
string at P, P' be T, T'. Then the element PP' is acted
upon at its end-points by forces T, T tangential to the
string at P, P' respectively. Let it also be acted upon
by some external force whose magnitude we may indicate
by the product F\ where A is the length of the element
PP' and F consequently the magnitude of the external
force acting on the string per unit length of the string.
Let the lines of action of T and T' be inclined at the angle
Q, those of T and F\ at the angle (p. Also, let a be the
linear density of the string at PP', and a« and «„ the
components of the acceleration of the element in directions
tangential and normal to the string at P. Then, resolving
tangentially and normally, we have, as the equations of
motion of the element (317),
T'cos e-T+F\coB4, = a-Xat,
T'sin 6-FXsm^ = aXan-
292 DYNAMICS [385
385. Conditions of EquiUbrium. — Putting at = an =
in the equations of motion we obtain those of equilibrium,
viz., T'cos e-T+ FXcos = 0,
T'sind-F\sm^ = 0.
386. The above equations hold for every element of
the string. The results which may be deduced from
them will vary with the nature of the external forces.
387. (1) No External Forces. — If there are no external
forces, F= 0. Hence the equations of motion become
T'coaO-T^aXat,
T'siu 6 = crXan.
Ultimately, when P' is very near F, 6 is indefinitely
small, and consequently cos = 1 and sin 6 = 6. Also,
ultimately T' is indefinitely nearly equal to T, and
X/6 = p the radius of curvature at P. Hence the above
equations become
{T'-T)/\ = =^0.
294 DYNAMICS [390
Hence, when there is equilibrium, the rate of change of
the stress in the string at any given point, with respect to
its distance measured along the string from a fixed point
in the string, is equal to the tangential component of the
external force per unit of length, at the given point ; and
the curvature of the string at any point is equal to the
ratio of the normal component of the external force (per
unit length of the string) to the stress at that point.
As instances of external forces continuously applied,
we may take the reactions of continuously curved sur-
faces on strings wound round them, and the weights of
heavy strings.
391. (a) The External Force being the Reaction of a
Continuously Curved Surface. — First, let the surface be
a smooth one over which the string is stretched. Then,
as we are supposing the string to have no weight (and in
many cases the weight is so small relatively to the stress
that it may be neglected), each element of the string is
acted upon by three forces only, viz., the reaction of the
surface, FX, normal to the surface, and the tensions T, T',
whose directions are those of consecutive tangents to the
string. Hence in the special case to which we restrict
ourselves (383) the osculating plane (41) of the string at
any point is normal to the curved surface, and the form
of the string is that of what is called a geodetic line
on the surface. Since F\ is normal to the surface and
therefore to the string, V) come into collision, the
stress between them during collision being in the line of motion,
and the co-efficient of restitution being e. Find the loss of kinetic
energy.
Let U be the velocity of the centre of mass, which (416) is the
same after as before the collision. Then their velocities relative to-
the centre of mass before the collision are v— U and V- irrespec-
tively ; and if v' and V are the velocities of m and M respectively
after the collision, v'— U and V —U are their respective velocities,
relative to the centre of mass after the collision. Hence (442) the
kinetic energy is, before the collision,
and, after the collision,
^{m,+M)U^+\m{^- Uf+\M{V'-Uf
Hence the loss of kinetic energy is
Now, as both particles have at the instant of collision the velocity
V, we have (416),
(m+M) U='mv + MV,
and (380, Ex. 1),
j_ mv + MY-eM{v- V)
m+M '
y,_ mv+MV— em{ V- v)
m + M
Hence t/-tr=-!^P
m+M
=e(U-v).
And similarly V- U=e(U- F).
Hence the loss of kinetic energy is
i{l-e^)[m{v- Uf+M{ V- Uf].
If therefore e=l, there is no loss of energy. If e=0, the loss of
energy is equal to the energy due to the motion of m and if relative
to their centre of mass before the collision.
334 DYNAMICS [443
(2) In any displacement of a system of heavy particles, the work
done against the weights of the particles is equal to the product of
the weight of the system into the vertical displacement of the
centre of mass of the system.
Let mj, m^, etc., be the masses of the particles, c^j, d^, etc., the
vertical components of their displacements, .ri, X2, etc., their initial
distances from a horizontal plane. Then the amounts of work done
on the various particles are m^gd^, m^gd^, etc. Hence the whole
work done is g'Simd. Now the vertical displacement of the centre
of mass is
'Smijc + d)_ Smx _ Smd
Sot Sot Sot
Hence the product of the weight of the system into this vertical
displacement,
^Smx^=^S«j^,
which is the whole work done.
(3) Find the work done in raising from the ground the materials
(cubical blocks of stone of 1 foot edge and of density 1 cwt. per
cubic ft.) in building a uniform column 66 ft. high and 20 ft.
square.
Ans. 42,800 foot-tons.
(4) A right pyramid on a square base of 16 ft. side, has an alti-
tude of 24 ft., and stands on a horizontal plane. "Find the work
necessary to turn it round one of its edges, its density being 100
lbs. per cubic ft.
Ans. 819,200 ft. -pounds.
(5) A chain whose mass is 100 lbs. and length 50 ft. hangs freely
by the upper end, which is attached to a drum, upon which the
chain can be wound, the diameter of the drum being so small
relatively to the length of the chain that it may be neglected.
Find the work done against the weight of the chain in winding up
one half of it.
Ans. 1875 ft. -pounds.
446] OF EXTENDED BODIES. 335
(6) The cylindrical shaft of a mine, whose section is 50 sq. ft.,
contains water (density = 1000 oz. per cubic ft.) to within 90 ft. of
the surface. How much wiU the surface of the water be lowered
by an engine working at 10 horse power for 1 hour.
Ans. 54-1 ft.
(7) Find the initial speed of a shot of 1000 lb. mass, discharged
from a 100-ton gun, the energy of the charge being 300,000 ft.-
potinds, and 1 per cent, being lost in heat, light, etc.
Ans. 24'3... ft. per sec.
444. Equilibrium, of Extended Systems. — By the
equilibrium of a system of particles may be denoted
either of two states of motion : (1) a state in which the
centre of mass of the system has no linear acceleration,
and the system a constant angular momentum about the
centre of mass, (2) a state in which the particles of the
system are all without linear acceleration. The former
may be called a state of molar equilibrium or equilibrium
of the system as a whole, the latter a state of molecular
equilibrium or equilibrium of the individual particles or
molecules of the system.
445. The necessary and sufficient conditions of molar
equilibrium may be obtained at once from the equations
of 431, viz., d=j:F/Im, and I,FP=Xm{;^). For in
order that the acceleration of the centre of mass may be
zero, and the angular momentum constant, we must have
2^= and liFP = ; and if these conditions are fulfilled,
we have a = and 2m(^) = 0. Hence the necessary and
sufficient conditions of molar equilibrium are (1) that the
algebraic sum of the components, in any given direction,
of the external forces must be zero, and (2) that the
algebraic sum of the moments of the same forces about
any axis must be zero also.
446. An expression of the condition of molecular
336 DYNAMICS [446
equilibrium may be obtained from the equation of energy
(437), which may be written (434)
W is here the work done by all the forces acting on m in
any small displacement whose components are x'—x,
y' — y,z' — z. 2Tr is therefore the work done by all the
forces of the system during its corresponding change of
configuration. Dividing by t, the time of the small dis-
placement of m, we get
2{|- f (^*(a='+*)4-^^(2/'+^)4:=^V+^))} = 0.
If now the given change of configuration be from one of
equilibrium to one indefinitely near it, the component
accelerations {x' — x)jt, etc., may be put equal to zero.
Hence we have 2( WH) = 0, i.e., the rate at which the
forces acting oti the system do work is zero. If the work
done by external forces be denoted by w, and that done
by internal forces by w'; we have Sir=2w+Sic;', and
therefore 'E{w/t) = 1,( — w'/t). Hence if a material system
in any given configuration be in molecular equilibrium,
the rate at which the external forces do work during any
small motion through that configuration is equal to the
rate at which work is done against the internal forces ;
or, if the system is conservative, to the rate of increase
of the potential energy of the system due to internal
forces.
447. Conversely, if in any small motion of a material
system through a given configuration, the rate at which
the forces of the system do work is zero, the given con-
figuration is one of molecular equilibrium.
For if not, some of the particles of the system must in
that configuration have accelerations. Let them be re-
430] OE EXTENDED BODIES. 337
duced to equilibrium by the action of forces F^, F^, etc.,
equal to the products of their masses into their accelera-
tions and in directions opposite to these accelerations.
Let the system now undergo an indefinitely small change
of configuration, such that the particles having accelera-
tions move in the directions of their accelerations. Then
work will be done against F^, F^, etc., and the rate at
which work is done by these forces will in all cases be
negative. But the rate at which work is done by all the
forces of the system together with F^, F^, etc., is zero
(446), since the system is now in molecular equilibrium.
Hence the rate at which work is done by the forces of
the system alone is positive, and cannot be zero. Hence
none of the particles of the system can, in the given con-
figuration, have accelerations, and that configuration is
therefore one of molecular equilibrium.
448. Hence the necessary and sufficient condition of
the molecular equilibrium of a material system in any
given configuration is that in any small motion through
that configuration the rate at which the external forces
do work shall be equal to the rate at which work is done
against the internal forces, or, if the system is conserva-
tive, to the rate of increase of the potential energy of the
system due to internal forces.
449. Hence also the necessary and sufficient condition
of the molecular equilibrium of a material system in any
given configuration is that in any small motion through
that configuration the work done by the external forces
shall be equal to that done against the internal forces, or,
in other words, that the algebraic sum of the amounts of
work done by all the forces shall be zero. In symbols, if
F^, F^, etc., be the forces acting on the particles of the
system, and d^, d,, etc., their component displacements in
the directions of I'j, F^, etc., respectively, 2-P'd = 0.
450. Stability of Equilibrium. — If a system of particles
Y
338 DYNAMICS [450
which has undergone any indefinitely small change of
configuration from that of equilibrium, returns, when left
to itself, to the configuration of equilibrium, its equilib-
rium is said to be stable for a change of configuration of
that kind. If, when left to itself, the system deviates
still more from the configuration of equilibrium, its equi-
librium is said to be unstable. If the new configuration
is also a configuration of equilibrium, the equilibrium of
the system is said to be neutral. Thus the position of
equilibrium of the bob of a pendulum is the lowest point
of its swing. If it be slightly displaced from that position
and left to itself it will return to that position. Hence
its equilibrium is stable. A symmetrical egg may be
made to stand on one end ; and this position is thus one
of equilibrium. But if it be displaced from this position
ever so slightly and left to itself, the displacement increases
with the time and it falls over on its side. Hence an egg
standing on one end is in a position of unstable equilib-
rium. If a uniform sphere, resting in equilibrium on a
horizontal plane, be slightly displaced and left to itself, it
will still remain in equilibrium; and thus a uniform
sphere on a horizontal plane is in neutral equilibrium.
A configuration of equilibrium of a system may be
such that for different small changes of configuration the
stability of its equilibrium may be different. Thus a
sphere resting on a horizontal cylinder is in neutral
equilibrium for small displacements, which are rotations
about an axis through the point of contact and perpen-
dicular to the axis of the cylinder, while, for rotations
about all other axes through the same point, its equilib-
rium is unstable. The equilibrium of a sphere resting in
a cylindrical trough is stable for some displacements and
neutral for others; and that of a sphere resting on a
saddle-back, or col, is stable for some displacements and
unstable for others. The equilibrium of a system which
is stable, unstable, or neutral, as the case, may be, for all
possible small displacements of the system is said to be
452] OF EXTENDED BODIES. 339
wholly or absolutely stable, unstable, or neutral. The
equilibrium of a system which is unstable for any small
change of configuration, though it may be stable or neutral
for others, is said to be practically unstable.
451. There is a simple relation between the potential
energy of a conservative system in its configuration of
equilibrium and the stability of its equilibrium. If,
after a small displacement from a configuration of equi-
librium, the system, when left to itself, returns to the
configuration of equilibrium, the forces of the system on
the whole do work on the particles of the system in
bringing it back to the configuration of equilibrium.
Hence, in the configuration of equilibrium, the potential
energy of the system is less than in the other configura-
tion. If therefore a system has a configuration in which
it is in wholly stable equilibrium, that configuration is
one of minimum potential energy. If, after a small dis-
placement from a configuration of equilibrium, the system,
when left to itself, deviates still more from the configura-
tion of equilibrium, the forces of the system on the whol&
do work during the given small displacement, and hence
the potential energy of the system is less after the dis-
placement than in the configuration of equilibrium. If
therefore a system in a given configuration is in wholly
unstable equilibrium, the given configuration is one of
ma;ximum potential energy. If, finally, after a small
displacement from a configuration of equilibrium a system
of particles is still in equilibrium, the forces of the system
have neither done work nor had work done against them
during the displacement, and hence the potential energy
after the displacement is the same as before it.
452. If the potential energy of a system of particles
depends wholly upon their weights, the increase of
potential energy in any change of configuration (443,
Ex. 2) is the product of the weight of the system into
the height through which its centre of mass has been
340 DYNAMICS [452
raised. A configuration in which the value of the poten-
tial energy is a maximum or minimum, therefore, is one
in which the centre of mass has a maximum or minimum
height respectively. Hence a configuration of wholly
stable or wholly unstable equilibrium is one in which the
centre of mass has a lower position or a higher position
respectively than in any other configuration into which
the system may be brought by an indefinitely small
change of configuration. Thus a rod, one end of which
is fixed, is in stable equilibrium if the other end, and
therefore the centre of mass, is vertically below the fixed
end, and is in unstable equilibrium if the other end, and
therefore the centre of mass, is above the fixed end.
453] OF RIGID BODIES. 341
CHAPTER VI.
DYNAMICS OF EIGID BODIES.
453. A rigid body or system of particles is one whose
configuration is invariable, the particles maintaining con-
stant relative positions. Such bodies are purely ideal.
But in many cases solid bodies are so slightly deformed
by the forces acting on them that for many purposes they
may be considered rigid.
It follows from the constancy of the configuration of a
rigid body that, if it is rotating about an axis fixed in
itself, all its particles must have the same angular
velocity, and consequently the same angular acceleration,
about that axis; and that the distance of any particle from
the axis must be constant. Hence (420) the angular
momentum about the given axis, viz., 'Lynm^, may be
written wSmr^ and ^2 becomes ior^. Hence (225) the
rate of change of angular momentum
if a denote the angular acceleration about the given
axis.
We found (428) that about an axis fixed in space,
2^P = 2m(^rtS). Hence, if a is the angular acceleration
about any axis fixed both in space and in the body,
'LFP = aS,m,i^.
342 DYNAMICS [453
By 430 the same formula applies if a be the angular
acceleration about an axis fixed in the body and passing
through its centre of mass, whether or not it be fixed also
in space.
454. We have thus two equations (414 and 453),
2m' 2mr^'
expressing, the one the linear acceleration of the centre
of mass, the other the angular acceleration about that
point. Hence (251) these equations completely deter-
mine the motion of the body.
455. From the second of these equations it follows
(2/m,r^ being constant) that the rotating power of a force,
or of several forces, about a given axis is proportional to
its moment, or to the algebraic sum of their moments
respectively, about that axis. This result is frequently
assumed by writers on elementary statics.
456. From the two equations of 454 it follows that a
force produces in a rigid body the same kinetic effect at
whatever point of its line of action it may be applied.
For a has the same value, provided the magnitudes and
directions of the applied forces are the same ; and a has
the same value, provided the magnitudes of the applied
forces and the distances from the axis of their lines of
action are the same. This result is usually called the
"principle of the transmissibility of force," and is usually
made a fundamental hypothesis by writers on Statics.
457. It follows, from the result of 453, that for the
complete specification of a force which is acting on a
rigid body, it is necessary to know not only its magnitude
and direction, as in the case of a particle, but its line of
action or some point in its line of action as well.
460] OF KIGIl) BODIES. 343
458. It follows, from the second equation of 454, that
if a free rigid body be acted upon by a force whose line
of action passes through the centre of mass, it produces
in the body no angular acceleration about the centre of
mass, and therefore (as is evident from 244) no angular
acceleration whatever.
459. Composition, of Forces.— It is often convenient in
investigating the motion of a rigid body to replace the
forces acting on it by a simpler set of forces, which would
produce the same kinetic effect. Before applying the
equations of 454 to the solution of problems, there-
fore, we shall investigate the composition of forces acting
on a rigid body, i.e., the reduction of such forces to simpler
equivalent systems.
The resultant of the forces acting on a rigid body is
the single force or the simplest system of forces which
will produce in it the same accelerations as are produced
by the given forces.
460. Any eoplanar forces acting on a rigid body are
reducible to a single force. — A force F, whose components
in rectangular directions in the plane of the forces are
Fx, Fy, will produce the same linear acceleration of the
centre of mass as the acting forces (components Xy Fj,
X^, Fj, etc.), provided F^='EX and Fy='27 ; and it will
produce the same angular acceleration about any point
in the plane of the component forces if its line of action
is at such a distance (p) from the point that Fp
is equal to the algebraic sum (N) of the moments of
the forces about it,* if therefore Fp=N. Hence, as
F=(Fx^+Fy^)i, the forces are reducible to a single force
if
p[C2Xf+(2Y)^i=N.
* The moment of a force about a point is its moment about an
axis through the point perpendicular to the plane containing the
point and the line of action of the force.
344 DYNAMICS [*60
A finite value of p can always be found to satisfy this
equation, provided [(2Z)H (2 7)^]* is not equal to zero.
Hence, except in this case, a single resultant can always
be found.
461. Determination of the Single Resultant of Co-
planar Systems of Forces. — The forces may or may not
be parallel.
Case I. — Non-parallel Coplanar Forces — Analytical
Determination.— It follows, from 460, that the magnitude
of the single resultant is [(SX)2 + (SF)2]* its direction
cosines (I,T)/F, {I,Y)/F, and its distance from the point
NjF. The magnitude and direction of the single force
is thus the same as if forces of the same magnitude and
direction as the given forces acted upon a particle (313
and 90).
462. Qeometrical Determ,ination. — The magnitude and
line of action of the resultant may also be found by the
aid of 456. — Let coplanar forces F^, F^, F^ act on a rigid
body at A, B, G respectively. Produce jPj and F^ till
they meet in D. Let both forces (456) act at D instead
of aX A and B, and let R^, their resultant, be determined
by 313. Produce B^ to meet F^ in E. Let now R^ and
F^ act at E instead of C and D, and let R^, their resultant,
be determined. Then R^ is the resultant of the given
forces.
463]
OF RIGID BODIES.
345
By thus applying the parallelogram law the resultant
may be determined either by calculation or graphically
(382, Ex. 22).
463. The following is a more elegant graphical method:; —
Let forces F-^, F^i F^, F^ act as represented in the diagram
at the points A, B, C, D. From any point E draw EG,
from G draw GH, from H HK, and from K KL, repre-
senting in magnitude and direction the forces F^, F^, F^,
F^ respectively. Then (461) EL represents their resul-
tant in magnitude and direction. To find a point in its
line of action, take any point and join it to E, G, H,
K, L. From any point in F^, say a, draw a line parallel
to OG and meeting F^ in b. From b draw a line parallel
to OB, meeting F^ in c. From c draw a line parallel to
OK, meeting F^ in d. From d draw a line parallel to
OL, and from a a line parallel to OE, and let them meet
in M.
A force represented by EG may be resolved into two
represented by EO and OG. Hence F^ is equivalent to
forces proportional to EO and OG, with lines of action
Ma and ba. Similarly F^ may be resolved into forces
proportional to GO and OH, with lines of action ab and
cb, Fg into forces proportional to HO and OK, with lines.
346 DYNAMICS [463
of action be and dc, and F^ into forces proportional to
KO and OZ, and with lines of action cd and dM. Hence
the given system of forces is equivalent to single forces
in the lines dM and Ma, and pairs of equal and opposite
forces in each of the lines ab, be, cd. The resultant of
this system is clearly a force through M. Hence the re-
quired resultant is a force repi'esented by EL and acting
atilf.
464. Case II. Parallel Coplanar Forces. — If the
given forces are parallel, the constructions of 462 and
463 fail. In any such case, however, a system equivalent
to the given system may be obtained by introducing two,
equal and opposite forces in the same line, and with direc-
tions inclined to those of the given parallel forces ; and to
this equivalent system the above constructions may be
applied.
465. We may find the resultant of parallel forces more
readily, however, as follows : —
First, let there be two such component forces. These
may be either codirectional or opposite in direction.
(a) The Forces Codir'ecUonal. — Let P and Q be forces
A
acting in the same direction dn a rigid body of mass m.
Then, that the resultant iJ may produce in the centre of
mass of the body the same acceleration as P and Q, its
466] OF RIGID BODIES. 347
line of action must be parallel to theirs, and we must
have
a = {P+Q)lm=Blm,
and hence R = P+Q. Also that R may produce about
any point 0, the same angular acceleration, as P and Q,
its moment about must be equal to the algebraic sum
of their moments. From draw OBA perpendicular to
P and Q, and therefore to R, and meeting P, Q, and R in
A, B, and C respectively. Then
P . AO+Q . BO=R . CO = {P+Q)GO.
It follows that CO is intermediate in length between AO
and BO, and that C is therefore between A and B. Sub-
stituting for AO and BO their values we have
P{AG+ CO) + Q{CO - CB) = {P+Q)CO.
Hence • P . AC= Q . CB,
i.e., R's line of action cuts the line AB (and, therefore,
any line intersecting P and Q), so that the products of
the forces into the segments adjacent to them are equal.
466. (6) The Forces Opposite in direction and Unequal.
— Let P and Q be the given forces. Then, as above, if
P be greater than Q, R=P—Q and is codirectional with
P, and
rp
P . AO-Q. BO = R . CO = (P-Q)CO.
Now BO is less than A 0. Hence
(P- Q)AO < P. AO-Q. BO;
348 DYNAMICS [466
and therefore AO is less than CO, and is a point in
BA produced. Substituting in the above equation the
values oi AO and BO, we have
P{GO - CA) - Q{GO - OB) = (P - Q)CO,
and
P .CA = Q.CB;
i.e., R's line of action cuts the line BA produced, so that
the products of the component forces into the segments
adjacent to them are equal.
467. (c) The Forces Opposite and Equal. — A system of
two forces, equal and opposite, but not in the same straight
line, is called a couple.
In this case B, = 0,
and P .AO-Q.BO=-P .AB=0xG0.
Now P . AB has a finite value. Hence GO must be in-
finitely great. The single resultant of two equal and
opposite parallel forces is therefore a force zero at an in-
finite distance. In other words, a couple can produce
rotational, but not translational, acceleration in the body
on which it acts.
As P . AB has the same value for all positions of 0,
the moment of a couple about all points in its plane, and
therefore about all axes perpendicular to its plane, is the
same, and is equal to the product of either force into the
distance between their lines of action. This distance is
called the arm of the couple.
A couple is therefore completely specified if its moment
and the direction of a line perpendicular to its plane are
given. It may therefore be represented by a straight
line, whose length is proportional to the magnitude of
the moment of the couple, whose direction is normal to
the plane of the couple, and which is so drawn, according
to a convention similar to that of 103, as to indicate
469] OF RIGID BODIES. 349
the sign of the moment. Such a line is usually called
the axis of the couple.
468. It follows from the above that all couples which
have equal moments of the same sign, and are in the same
or in parallel planes, produce the same kinetic effect, or
are equivalent, whatever may be their length of arm or
the magnitudes or lines of action of their forces.
469. Composition of Couples. — The resultant of any
number of component couples is a couple, and is to be
determined by the parallelogram law.
Let the planes of two component couples intersect in
the line AB. At A and B let equal and opposite forces,
F, act in the plane of one of the component couples at
right angles to AB, and of such magnitude and direction
that the couple F . AB has the same moment and' sign
as the component couple in its plane. At A and B let
equal and opposite forces F" act in the plane of the second
component couple, and at right angles to AB, F' being of
such magnitude and direction that the couple ¥ . AB has
the same moment and sign as the second component
couple. Then the couples F . AB and F" . AB are equiva-
lent to the two component couples. Let AF and BF,
AF' and BF, represent the forces F and F. Then if the
parallelograms AFRF, BFRF, be completed, the diago-
350 DYNAMICS [469
nals AR and BR will represent the resultants of F and F
at A and B respectively. Since the angles FAF and
FBF' are equal, the parallelograms FF are similar.
Hence the angles FAR and FBR are equal, and therefore
the equal resultants, R, are in the same plane. Since in
each case R is in the same plane as F and F', AR and BR
are perpendicular to AB. Hence the two component
couples are equivalent to the couple R . AB.
From B draw Bf, Bf, and Br, the axes of the couples
F . AB, F' . AB, and R . AB respectively. Bf, Bf, and
Br are thus perpendicular to the planes FABF, FABF,
and RABR respectively ; and consequently the angles /Br,
f'Br are equal to FBR, F'BR respectively. Also, since
the couples represented by Bf Bf, and Br have the same
arm, we have
Bf: BF=Bf' : BF = Br : BR.
Hence, if r be joined to /' and /, rfBf will be a parallelo-
gram ; and consequently the axis of the resultant couple
is to be determined from the axes of the component
couples by the parallelogram law (78).
If there are more than two component couples, the
resultant of any two may be compounded with a third,
their resultant with a fourth, and so on until the resul-
tant of all has been found.
It follows that the laws of the resolution of couples are
the same as in the case of displacements, velocities, etc.
470. Secondly (465), let there be any number of com-
ponent parallel forces. In that case the resultant of any
two may first be determined, then the resultant of their
resultant, and a third, and so on, until the resultant of
all has been found.
471. Any system of parallel forces, whether coplanar
or not, may be reduced to a single force. — For, as any
474] OF RIGID BODIES.. 351
two parallel lines are necessarily in the same plane, the
resultant of any two of the given forces is coplanar with
a third, that of any three with a fourth, and so on. Thus
the single resultant of a non-coplanar system may be de-
termined as in 470.
472. From 471, 465, and 899 it is clear that the above
process is exactly that by which the centre of mass of
a system of particles was determined, the magnitudes of
the parallel forces taking the place of the masses of the
particles, and the positions of their points of application
that of the positions of the particles. Hence, as in 400,
it may be shown that if Fj^, F^, etc., are the magnitudes
of the parallel forces, and d^, d^, etc., the distances of their
points of application from any given plane, the distance
from it of the point of application of their resultant is
l!,Fd/'2F. The point of application of the resultant is
called the centre of the system of parallel forces.
473. In the special case in which all the particles of a
body are acted upon by parallel forces proportional to
their masses, the centre of parallel forces is an important
point. If F^, F^, etc., are the parallel forces, and m^,
m^, etc., the masses of the particles on which they act,
F^ = h7n^, F^ = hm^, etc., where Ic is a constant. Hence
the distance of the centre of the system of parallel forces
from any plane from which the distances of the particles
are d^, d^, etc., is
IJcmd _ k1,md _ 2mci!
And this is the distance of the centre of mass. Hence
the centre of the above system of parallel forces coincides
with the centre of mass.
474. If a body be sufficiently small relatively to the
earth, the weights of its particles may be considered to
be parallel forces; and they are proportional to the masses
352 DYNAMICS [474
of the particles, for they produce in the particles the same
acceleration, g. Hence the weights of the particles of a
sufficiently small body are reducible to a single force
equal to g times the mass of the body and acting verti-
cally downwards through the centre of mass, whatever
the position of the body may be. For this reason the
centre of mass is often called the centre of gravity.
The term centre of gravity has also the following
signification to which it should be restricted : If a body
attracts and is attracted by all external bodies, whatever
their distance and relative position, as though its mass
were concentrated in a point fixed relatively to it, that
point is called its centre of gravity, and the body is said
to be centrobaric or barycentric. In general, bodies are
not centrobaric. We have seen (316, Ex. 6) that a uniform
sphere or spherical shell has this property.
If a body has a centre of gravity it necessarily coincides
with the centre of mass. For, as we have seen (473), the
resultant attraction of an infinitely distant body, whose
attractions on its particles would be parallel forces,
would pass through the centre of mass whatever the
position of the body.
475. Examples.
(1) Three forces act at the middle points of the sides of a i-igid
triangular plate, in its plane, each force being perpendicular and
proportional to the side at which it acts. If the forces are all
inwards or all outwards, the resultant is zero.
(2) If a rigid plane quadrilateral ABCD be acted upon by four
forces, represented in magnitude, direction, and line of actioii by
AB, CB, AD, CD respectively, the line of action of the resultant
will be the line joining the middle points of the diagonals ; and its
magnitude will be represented by four times the length of that
line.
(3) A system of any number of coplanar forces being represented
475] OF RIGID BODIES. 353
by the several sides of a closed polygon, as described by the con-
tinued motion of a point in a plane, show that the sum of their
moments round any point in the plane is independent of the position
of the point.
(4) If six forces acting on a rigid body be completely represented,
three by the sides of a triangle taken the same way round, and
three by the sides of the triangle formed by joining the middle
points of the sides of the original triangle, and if the parallel forces
act in the same direction, and the scale on which the first three
forces are represented be four times as large as that on -which the
last three are represented, the given six forces produce neither
translational nor rotational acceleration.
(5) Forces of 10, 20, 30, and 40 poundals act on a rigid body at
A, B, 0, D, the comers of a square whose side is 2 feet, and in its
plane. Their inclinations to AB, BC, CD, 1)A are 45°, 90°, 30°, 60°
respectively. Show that their resultant is a force of35"65...poun dais ,
and that its line of action is distant 3'03... ft. from C.
(6) Parallel forces in the same direction, and of the magnitudes
10, 15, 20, 25, act at points A, B, C, J) respectively of a straight
rod, the distances AB, BC, CD being 2, 3, and 4 respectively. Find
the distance of the point of application of the resultant from A.
Ans. 5-07....
(7) Two parallel forces in opposite directions, and of magnitudes
20 and 5, act at points A and B respectively of a rigid body 4 feet
apart. Find the distances from A and B of the point in which
tlieir resultant line of action cuts AB.
Ans. 1^ and 5j ft.
(8) At each end of each side of a uniform triangular plate a force
acts parallel and proportional to the line drawn from the opposite
vertex to bisect that side. Show that the resultant of the six
forces passes through the centre of mass of the triangle.
(9) A triangular lamina ABC at rest is moveable in its own
plane about a point in itself. Forces act on it along and propor-
tional to BC, CA, BA. Show that if they do not move the lamina,
Z
354 DYNAMICS [475
the point must lie in the straight line bisecting BC and CA, and
that the reaction at the point is proportional to 'iAB.
(10) Two parallel forces in the same direction and proportional
to two of the sides of a triangle, act at the angles of the triangle,
opposite the sides to. which they are proportional respectively.
Show that their resultant passes through the point in the third
side iu which it is cut by the line bisecting the opposite angle.
(11) The numerical measures of the magnitude of a force which
acts at a point in a given direction, and of the distances of the
point from two straight lines at right angles to one another in the
same plane with it, are denoted by a, 6, c ; but it is not known
which is which. Find the centre of all the forces which may be
represented.
. „. , , , ,. ab + bc+ca
Ans. Distance from each line = -
a+b + e
(12) Forces I, -3, -5,1 act on a rigid rod at points A, B, C, D,
whose distances are such that AB=3, BC=2, CD=% Find the
magnitude of the resultant couple.
Ans. 15.
(13) Three equal and codirectional forces {P) act at three corners
of a square (side = a) perpendicularly to the square. Find (as) the
magnitude of the force which, applied at the other corner of the
square, would with the given forces constitute a couple, and (6)
the moment of the couple. ,
Ans. (a) 3^; (6)i^a2^/2.
(14) ABC is a triangle right-angled at B. At A a force F is
applied in the plane of the triangle perpendicular to AC ; at C a
force 2F in the same direction ; and at .B a force ZP in the opposite
direction. Find the moment of the resulting couple.
Ans.P{AE'-'2,BC^)IAC.
(15) The resultant of three forces represented by the sides of a
triangle taken the same way round is a couple whose moment is
proportional to the area of the triangle.
476. Any forces whatever acting on a rigid body are
reducible to a system of two forces.
476] OF RIGID BODIES. 355
A force, F, whose components in the directions of rec-
tangular axes are F,., Fy, F^, acting at any chosen point
whose distances from the centre of mass of the body in
the directions of the components are ^, rj, f, will produce
the angular acceleration about the centre of mass pro-
duced by the acting forces, provided (427)
^ F,r,-Fyt=L,F4-F4=M,Fyi-F^ = N,
where L, M, N are the algebraic sums of the moments of
the acting forces about axes through the centre of mass,
parallel to the x, y, z axes respectively. We may reduce
these equations to one by multiplying the first by F^, the
second by Fy, and the third by Ft, and adding, by which
process we find that
LF^-VMFy+l^F^ = ^
is the condition which must be satisfied that the force F
may produce the required angular acceleration. It is
obvious that values of F^i^, Fy, F^ can always be found to
satisfy this equation. These values will be different for
different chosen points of application.
The force F with another force F" , whose components
are F^, Fy, Fz, and which acts at the centre of mass, will
produce the linear acceleration produced by the acting
forces, provided
F,+F^ = SZ, Fy+Fy' ^ 2F, F.+F^ = ^Z,
where 2X, SF, '2Z are the sums of the components of the
acting forces in the directions of the x, y, z axes respec-
tively. As F acts at the centre of mass it has (458) no
efiect on the body's angular acceleration.
Now, whatever may be the values of F^, Fy, F^ which
satisfy the first condition, values of F^, Fy, Fl may be
found to satisfy the last three equations. Hence any
forces acting on a rigid body are reducible to two forces.
As the point ^, r\, f chosen above was any point what-
356 DYNAMICS 476
ever, the forces acting on a rigid body may be reduced to
any one of an infinite number of pairs of forces.
477. To determine the condition of the reducibility of
a system of forces acting on a rigid body to a single force.
As this force must produce both the linear and the
angular accelerations produced by the acting forces, we
ha,ve, if F^, Fy, F^ are its rectangular components, and- ^,
ri, f the co-ordinates, relative to the centre of mass, of its
point of application, and if L, M, N are the moments of
the acting forces about axes, parallel to the axes of co-
ordinates, through the centre of mass,
F„ = l^X,Fy = l:Y,F,= ^Z;
and
Fzri - Fy^= L, F^^- F4= M, Fyi- F^r, = N. ■
These six equations may, as in 476) be reduced to the
single equation
LI,X+MI,7+NI,Z=0,
which therefore is the condition which must be fulfilled
that the resultant of the given forces may be a single
force.
478. The magnitude of this resultant force is clearly
B = s/(EXf + (2¥f + (ZZf.
Its direction cosines are liXjR, HiT/R, JIZ/R. If we
put ^=0 in the equations of 477, we obtain ^=M/Fx,
t]= —N/Fx. These therefore are the co-ordinates of the
point in which the line of action of the force cuts the jjf
plane.
479. Any forces acting on a rigid body may be reduced
to a single force and a single couple.
480] OF KIGID BODIES. 357
If F^ be any one of the forces acting on a rigid body,
there may be introduced at
any point 0, without any
change of the motion of the
body, a pair of equal and
opposite forces, F^, parallel
to the original F^-, and for
every force acting on the
body we thus obtain an equal
force in the same direction acting at 0, and a couple
(called the couple of transference). The forces at give
a resultant force at 0, and the couples compound into a
resultant couple (469).
Whatever point may be chosen, the direction and
magnitude of the resultant force will clearly be the same.
The resultant couple will however be different for diffe-
rent positions of 0.
480. To determine the resultant force and couple for
any given system of forces and for any given position of 0.
Let Xj, Fj, Z^, X^, Fj, Z^, etc., be the components of the
forces of the system in the directions of rectangular axes
through 0, and let x^ y^, z^, x^, y^, z^, etc., be the co-or-
dinates of their respective points of application. Then
as the resultant force R is the same for all positions of 0, it
must be the same as the force which at the centre of mass
would produce the linear acceleration produced by the
system of forces. Hence
n = V(2Z)M-T2 7)2 + i^Zf ;
and its direction cosines are 2X/i2, 1,Y/R, '2Z/R. As
the component couples must produce about the chosen
axes the same angular accelerations as the forces of the
system, they must be equal to the moments of the forces
about these axes. Hence if L, M, N are the component
couples whose axes have the directions of the x, y, z axes
respectively,
358 DYNAMICS [480
L = -E{Zy- Yz),.M='2(Xz-Zx), N='2,{Yx-Xy).
Hence (469 and 88) the resultant couple
= J\^{Zy - Yz)f + [-LiXz - Zx)J + [S( Yx - Xy)f,
and its direction cosines are LjG, MjG, NjG. Hence also
(8) the inclination of the axis of the resultant couple to
the resultant force is
^°^ \R ■ 0^ E ■ G^ R- GJ-
481. The resultant force being given, and the resultant
couple for a given point of application of the resultant
force, to find the resultant couple for any other point of
application.
Let OR and OG represent the resultant force and couple
, when the resultant force acts at 0.
I -^ Let 0' be the other point of applica-
tion. At 0' introduce two opposite
forces R equal and parallel to the force
R at 0. They will not affect the
motion of the body. Now the forces
i2 at and 0' constitute a couple,
whose axis ON is perpendicular to the
plane of ROO'R, and is proportional
to the product of R into the perpen-
dicular distance of OR from O'R. The
two couples OG and ON give (469) a
resultant couple OG' . Hence the given
system of forces is equivalent to a force R acting at 0'
and a couple OG'.
If 0' is in the line of action of OR, it is evident that
ON is zero and that OG' is the same as OG. If 0' is any-
where else, ON will have a value and OG' will differ from
OG. It is obvious that any other line of action of the
resultant force than that through 0' must either be at a
482] OF RIGID BODIES. 359
greater or smaller distance from OB than O'R, or be so
placed that the plane through it and OR is inclined to
the plane ROO' R, and that therefore ON, and con-
sequently also OQ', can have a given magnitude and
direction only for one line of action of the resultant
force. Hence in a given body, acted on by given forces,
there is but one line, such that, if the resultant force acts
in it, the resultant couple will have a given magnitude
and direction.
482. Any forces acting on a rigid body may be reduced
to a single force and a couple whose axis is parallel to the
line of action of the force.
Let R be the force {OR being its line of action) and
the couple {OQ being its axis), which
together form the resultant of the
acting forces according to 479. The
couple OG may be resolved into two,
whose axes are OH and OJ, in and
perpendicular to the direction of OR
respectively. The couple OJ is in the
plane through OR perpendicular to
the plane of OR and OQ. Let 00', "
drawn perpendicular to the plane of OR and OQ, be the
length of arm of the component couple OJ when its forces
are made equal to R, and let the forces R of this couple
act at and 0' in directions perpendicular to 00'. Then
we have two forces, R, acting at in opposite directions.
Hence the original force R, together with the component
couple OJ, are equivalent to a force R at 0', having the
same direction as the original R. Hence the given system,
viz., the force R acting at and the couple OQ, is reduced
to the force R acting at 0' and a couple whose axis OH
is parallel to R.
When this reduction is made, the line of action of the
force is called the central aa>is of the system of forces,
and as this theorem is due to Poinsot, it is usually called
360
DYNAMICS
[482
Poinsot's central axis. It follows from 481 that a given
system of forces can have hut one central axis.
Sir E. S. Ball has given the name wrench to the re-
sultant force and couple to which a given system of forces
may be reduced when the line of action of the resultant
force is the central axis.
483. If the angle ROQ (482) is 6, the component couples
OH and OJ are cos Q and Q sin Q respectively. Hence
00' = {Q sin 6)IR
If the direction cosines of OR and OG are I, m,
and n, X, fi, and v respectively, those of 00' will be (10)
(mv — n/ji.)! sia. 6, {n\ — lv)/sin 6, (l/n. — mX)/sin 6. Now the
products of 00' into its direction cosines are the co-
ordinates of 0' relative to 0. Hence, employing the
values of I, m, n, X, fi, v found in 480, we obtain as co-
ordinates of 0'
{N^Y-M^Z)IR\ {LI,Z-W:2X)lR\ (MI,X -LI,T)IR\
The direction of the central axis being thus known,
and the position of one point in it, the axis is completely
determined.
484. The magnitude of the resultant
couple is less when its direction is that of
the central axis than when it has any
other direction.
Let OA be the central axis of a given
system of forces, O'A' any parallel line,
and 00' a line perpendicular to both.
Let R, acting at 0, be the resultant force,
and OH the resultant couple. At 0' in-
troduce two opposite forces, equal and
parallel to R. Then the system is equi-
valent to a force R acting at 0' and the
couples OH and ON, ON being perpendicular to the plane
485] OF RIGID BODIES. 361
ROO'R and therefore to OH, and proportional to the
product of R into 00'. The resultant of these couples is
one represented by 00, which is necessarily greater
than OR.
485. Examples.
(1) The magnitudes, directions, and lines of action of four forces
acting on a rigid body are represented by four sides of a skew
quadrilateral taken the same way round. Show that the system is
equivalent to a couple whose axis is perpendicular to both diagonals.
(2) Show, by using the result of 477, that the resultant of any
system of parallel forces is a single force.
(3) ABCD is a tetrahedron, the angles BAG, CAD, DAB being
right angles. At the centres of mass of the faces BA G, GAD, DAB
forces act (all inwards or all outwards), with directions perpendicular
to the faces, and magnitudes proportional to the areas of the faces.
Show that their resultant is a single force.
(4) When a force is transferred to any point 0, the resolved part
of the couple of transference in any direction OZ is equal to the
moment of the given force about OZ.
(5) OA, OB, OG are conterminous edges of a cube and GD, EF
are edges parallel to OB and OG respectively. Find the distance
from of the central axis of a system of three equal forces com-
pletely represented by OA , GD, and EF.
Ans. AGIZ.
(6) OA, OB, OG are conterminous edges of a rectangular parallelo-
piped, so related that a positive rotation of 90° about OA as axis
would bring OB to the initial position of OG. Forces proportional
to OA, OB, OG (whose lengths are a, b, c respectively) act at B, G,
and A in the directions OA, OB, OG respectively. Find the central
axis.
Ans. Its direction is that of the diagonal through 0, and it passes
through a point whose distances from the planes BG, AG, and AB
are respectively
ae^ — a}fi c?h — bc^ b^c — o?c
a2+6= + c2' a2 + j2+c2' aa+ja+^a-
362
DYNAMICS
[485
(7) A system of forces can always be reduced to two forces whose
lines of action are at right angles to one another. [Through a point
P in the central axis draw a straight line, OPO', perpendicular to
the central axis, bisected in P, and of such length that if F is the
magnitude of the resultant force when its line of action is the
central axis, F . OP is equal to the resultant couple. Resolve
the resultant force, F, into two equal and parallel forces, F/Z, at
and 0', and let the forces of the resultant couple act at and
0' also.]
(8) The volume of the tetrahedron, opposite edges of which repre-
sent the forces of any one of the infinite nunjber of pairs of forces
to which a given system of forces may be reduced, is constant.
Let F and F' be any such pair of forces, and let DF, OF' repre-
sent them, DFCF' being therefore the tetrahedron referred to in
the problem. Let AB be a line perpendicular to both DF and CF'
At A introduce two opposite forces F' equal and parallel to GF'.
Let R be the resultant of F and the force F' which acts at A and is
codirectional with CF'. Draw AG perpendicular to the plane of
the forces F' and representing the couple whose arm is AB and
whose forces are the forces F' acting at C and A. Then the force
AR and the couple AG form the resultant of the given system.
DF, AF', and AG being all perpendicular to AB are in the same
plane and AG is perpendicular to AF'. The resultant couple H
whose direction is that of the central axis is (482, 483) such that
487] OF EIGID BODIES. 363
H=AO cos RAG
==CF'.AB.amEAF'
=CF'. AB.sm FAF'. DFjR.
Hence H. R^CF'. DF.AB. sin FAF'.
Now (481) H.R is constant. And AB.CF' being equal to twice
the area of the triangle ACF', and DF sin FAF' being the length
.of the projection of DF on a line perpendicular to the plane of the
same triangle, CF' . DF .AB .sin FAF' is equal to six times the
volume of the tetrahedron FDCF'. Hence the volume of this
tetrahedron is constant.
486. Moments of Inertia. — The quantity 'Lmr^ (453),
the sum of the products of the masses of the particles of
a rigid body into the squares of their distances from a
fixed axis in it, is called the moment of inertia of the
body about the given axis.
If M is the mass of the body, a quantity h can always
be found such that M¥ = 'Lm7^. The quantity k thus
found is called the radius of gyration of the body about
the given axis.
Moments of inertia may be determined either by ex-
periment or by calculation.
487. Determimation by Experiment. — Let the body
whose moment of inertia I about a given axis is to be
determined be so mounted that the given axis is fixed.
Let it then be acted upon by a known force -F at a known
distance p from the axis, and in a plane perpendicular to
the axis, and let the angular acceleration a be observed.
We have then (453) aI=Fp and I=Fp/a.
It is practically impossible to apply a known force at a
known distance from a given axis in it and to observe
the angular acceleration. But it is generally easy to
apply the same force or set of forces at the same distance
or distances in successive experiments. Hence a moment
of inertia is more readily determined by two experiments
364 DYNAMICS [487
than by one. First, let the angular acceleration of the
body under investigation be observed when under the
action of forces whose moment "LFp is constant from
experiment to experiment. We have as above aI=^Fp.
Next, let a body, whose moment of inertia (/') about a
given axis is known, be rigidly attached to the given body
so that the axis about which its moment of inertia is
known is in the same straight line with the fixed axis of
the given body ; and let the same forces be applied in
the same way as before. If the angular acceleration is
now found to be a, we have a'(I+I')=^'2Fp. Hence
al=a'(l+r), a.nd.
■* /•
a — a
It is practically impossible to observe the angular acceler-
ation. But the forces employed may readily be so
applied (see 588) that the sum of their moments may
be directly proportional to the angular displacement (6)
of the body, and that they may tend always to bring the
body to a position in which its angular displacement is
zero. In that case the body will oscillate, the ratio of its
angular acceleration to its angular displacement will be
independent of its angular displacement, and every point
of the body will therefore execute simple harmonic
motions. Hence (163) the time of oscillation will be
t = 2Tr>/6ia, and will be independent of the extent of the
oscillation. For any given value of 6 therefore aocl/i^.
Hence, the times of oscillation in the above experiments
having been observed to be t and t' respectively, we have
The best methods of applying the force and of observing
the times of oscillation will be found described in books
on Laboratory Practice.
488. Determination by Calculation. — To effect the
488] OF RIGID BODIES. 365
summation indicated by the formula 2mr^ the Integral
Calculus is in general necessary. But in the case of
bodies of simple geometrical form and of uniform density
the summation may be effected by elementary mathe-
matical methods.
In the determination by calculation the following pro-
positions will be found useful :
(1) The moment of inertia of a body about a given
axis is equal to the moment of inertia of the body about
a parallel axis through the centre of mass, together with
the product of the mass of the body into the square of
the distance between the two axes.
Let P be the position of any particle of the body of
mass m. Let the plane of the diagram intersect the
given axis and the parallel axis
through the centre of mass, nor-
mally in A and respectively. Let
d be the distance between the axes,
s the distance from the axis G of
the foot M of the perpendicular PM
from P on CA or GA produced, i.e.,
the distance of P from a plane through the centre of mass
and perpendicular to CA. Let the length of PM be p.
The moment of inertia of the body about A,
Im.AP^ = i:m[{s - dY +p'],
= 'Lm{s'^ + V^) + ^^2m - 2d1,ms,
= I,m.GP'+d^I,m;
since (403) 2ms = 0. Now Im . GP^ is the moment of
inertia of the given body about an axis parallel to the
given axis, through the centre of mass ; and d^Hm is the
product of the mass of the body into the square of the
distance of the axes.
If M is the mass of the body, and Ic its radius of gyra-
366
DYNAMICS
[488
tion about an axis in the given direction through the
centre of mass, the moment of inertia about the given
axis is M{1 + d?).
489. (2) The moment of inertia of a plane lamina
about an axis perpendicular to it through a given point is
equal to the sum of its moments of inertia about axes in
its plane through the given point, and perpendicular to
one another.
Let xx' and yy' be perpendicular axes through the
point in the plane of the lamina B. Let P be the
position of any particle of mass m ; PM, PN, PO its dis-
tances from XX, yy', and an axis through perpendicular
i
1
/^
N
1 \
/
^
f^ \
V
X'
^
A
/
) '
to xx' and yy'. Then the moments of inertia of m about
these axes are m . PM^, m . PN^, m . PO^ respectively,
and those of the lamina are thus 2m . PM^, 2m .PN^,
2m . PO^ respectively. Now PO^ = PM^ + PN\ Hence
and
m . PO^==m . PM^+m . PN^
^mPO^ = 2m . Pi/2 + XmPN^.
490. Examples.
(1) Find the moment of inertia of a uniform thin straight rod
(length = ?, masa=M) about an axis perpendicular to its length, (a)
through one end point, and (6) through its middle point.
490] OF RIGID BODIES. 36Y
(a) Let the rod be divided into an indefinitely great number {n)
of equal parts (length=a). The distance of the middle point of
each of these parts may be taken to be the distance of the part
itself. Let p be the linear density. Then if / denote the moment
of inertia about the given axis,
, (a\^. /3a \\ /5aV , . , /(2w-l)aV
y=pa(-) +pa.{-) +pa(-) +etc.+pa(i— ^-^-) ,
= p^'[l + 3'' + 52 + etc + (2»i-l)2],
'^4 ■ 3^
= "-^^4)'
™3 12/'
=p- , since a is indefinitely small,
o
3
If k is the radius of gyration, k=ll s/3.
(6) The moment of inertia of each half about its end point is
by Ex. 1 (a),
-2- (2) * = ^^24-
Hence the moment of inertia of the whole rod about its middle
point is Ml^llZ, and i:=ll v'12.
(2) The moment of inertia of a uniform straight thin rod
(mass = J/, length = Z) about an axis inclined ii to the rod and
through its end point is ^Ml^ sin^ o.
(3) Show that the moment of inertia of a uniform thin circular
wire {mass~M, radius =?•) about an axis through its centre per-
pendicular to its plane is Mr\
(4) Find the moment of inertia of a uniform thin rectangular
* See Todhunter's "Algebra," Chapter on Arithmetical Pro-
gression.
368
DYNAMICS
[490
A
U
B
i
1
y
D
plate (mass = if, sides =o and b) about an axis through the centre
of figure parallel to the side of
length b.
The plate may be divided into
indefinitely thin strips by lines
parallel to the side AB of length a.
Then if m^, m^, etc., are the masses
of the strips, their moments of in-
ertia about the given axis y^ are
m^a^ll2, Tn^a^jl^, etc. Hence the
moment of inertia of the plate is
(mi + ma + etc )a^ll 2 = Ma^jl 2.
(5) Show that the moment of inertia of a uniform thin rect-
angular plate (mass = i/, sides = a and b) about an axis through its
centre of figure perpendicular to its plane is M{a^+b^)j\^. (See
489.)
(6) rind the moment of inertia of a rectangular parallelepiped
(mass = J/) about an axis through the centre of figure perpendicular
to one of the faces. (Edges perpendicular to the axis— a and 6.)
We may imagine the parallelepiped divided into thin plates by
planes perpendicular to the axis. If m-^, Tn^, etc., are the masses of
these plates, their moments of inertia are (Ex. 5) m^{o? + V)l\%
m^a^ + h^)l\% etc. Hence the moment of inertia of the parallele-
piped is (mi-l-m2-l-etc.)(a2-|-62)/12 = JI/(a.2-|-62)/i2.
(7) Find the moment of inertia of a uniform thin right-angled-
triangular plate (mass=i/, sides containijig the right angle=a and
b) about an axis perpcDdicular to its plane and through the centre
of mass. — Let ABC be the triangular plate and
E its centre of mass. Complete the rectangle
ABGD. E is on the diagonal BD and at a dis-
tance from 0, the intersection of the diagonals,
equal to iJa^+ti^lQ. Hence the moment of inertia
of the triangle about is (488), if Ie is its mo-
ment of inertia about £, lE+H{a^ + 1^)136. Hence,
^ if I„ is the moment of inertia of the rectangle
ABCD about a normal axis through 0,
OF RIGID BODIES. 369
/o=2[/j5+Jf(a2 + 62)/36].
But (Ex. 5) /o=2J/(a« + 62)/12.
Hence lE^Mia^+b^/lS-Mia^+b^ysS
(8) Find the moment of inertia of a uniform thia right-angled-
triangular plate (ma.aa=M, sides containing the right angle = a and
b), about an axis perpendicular to its plane, and through one of the
acute angles (say C, fig. of Ex. 7).
The distance of E from C is |^ 62 + ^, if i?C is the side of length
b. Hence, if / is the required moment of inertia,
=i/g+f),byEx.r.
(9) Find the moment of inertia of a uniform thin plate of the
shape of an isosceles triangle (mass =Jlf) about an axis perpendicular
to its plane and through the vertex.
If a is the length of base and h the distance of the vertex from
the base, the triangle may be divided into two right-angled
triangles whose sides containing the right angle are h and a/2, h
bemg the side adjacent to the vertex of the isosceles triangle:
Hence
■*(£4'>
(10.) Find the moment of inertia of a uniform thin plate (mass =
M) of a regular polygonal shape, about an axis through its
centre of figure and normal to its plane.
If there are n sides, each having the length a, and each distant r
from the centre of figure, as the polygon may be divided into n
isosceles triangles with vertices at the centre of figure, of base a,
height r, and mass M/n,
\24 2/
(11) Find the moment of inertia of a uniform thin circular plate
2a
370 DYNAMICS [490
(mass=i^, radius =»•) about an axis through its centre and normal
to its plane.
As the circle may be considered to be a polygon with an inde-
finitely great number of indefinitely short sides, each distant r
from the centre of figure, we have I=Mr'^l'2i.
(12) Find the moment of inertia of a uniform thin circular plate
(mass = J/, radius =r) about (a) a diameter, (6) a tangent.
Ans. (a) Mr'^14. ; (b) bMr^i.
(13) Fiiid the moment of inertia of a uniform circular cylinder
(mass= J/", radius=>') (a) about its axis, (6) about a generating line.
Ans. (a) Mr^l2 ; (6) 3ify2/2.
(14) The moment of inertia of a uniform sphere (mass = J/,
radius =?•) about a diameter being 2Mr^l5, find its radius of gyration
about a tangent line.
Ans. rv7/5.
491. MeasureTTient of Moment of Inertia. — The unit
of moment of inertia is that of a particle of unit mass at
unit distance from the axis of rotation. In specifying
moments of inertia, no mention is usually made of the
unit, but they are described as of such and such a value
when expressed in such and such units of mass and
length.
The dimensions of the unit of moment of inertia are
clearly [M] [Lf.
492. Examples.
(1) Express in oz.-in. units a moment of inertia of 20 ft.-lb.
iinits.
Ans. 46,080.
(2) A moment of inertia has the value 500 when expressed in
terms of the centimetre and the gramme. Find its value in terms
of the metre and the kilogramme.
ns. 0-00005.
(3) An author speaks of a rectangular parallelepiped (edges 1, 2,
493] OF EIGID BODIES. .371
and 12 cm. respectively and density 4 grm. per cub. cm.) as having
a moment of inertia equal to 1 "207 about an axis through its middle
point and perpendicular to the face of greatest area. He is known
to have employed the cm. as unit of length, and to have worked
where g has the value 980'94 cm.-sec. units. What must have been
his unit of mass ?
Ans. The unit of mass of the C.G.S. system of gravitational
units.
(4) By what nximber must we multiply the value of a moment of
inertia expressed in the units of the ft.-lb.-sec. absolute system in
order to determine its value in the Unit of the C.G.S. absolute
system ?
Ans. 421390-7....
(5) At the end of a thin rod, of length 2 ft. and hnear density 1
oz. per in., are particles of masses 1 and 2 lbs. respectively. Ex-
press its moment of inertia about an axis perpendicvdar to the rod
through a point distant 3 in. from the particle of smaller mass, in
the units of (a) the absolute, and (i) the gravitational in.-oz.-sec.
systems (.9 = 32 ft.-sec. units).
Ans. (a) 17,352 ; (6) 45-18....
493. Equations of Motion. — The moment of inertia
being thus a quantity capable of determination, we can
apply at once, to cases of motion, the equations of 454.
If the motion be about an axis fixed both in the
body and in space, the angular acceleration about it
a='EFP/'2mr^, where XFP is the algebraic sum of the
moments of the external forces, and 2mr^ the moment of
inertia, about the fixed axis.
If the body be quite free to move, the linear accelera-
tion of the centre of mass is given by the equation
a = 2172m ; and the angular acceleration about any axis
fixed in the body through the centre of mass, by the
equation a = 2-P'P/2mr^, where 2-FP is the algebraic sum
372 DYNAMICS [493
of the moments of the external forces and 2m?'^ the
moment of inertia, about this axis.
These accelerations being determined and the initial
velocities being given, the final velocities and the dis-
placement may be found (see 251). The above equations
are therefore called the equations of motion of a rigid
body. We can apply them only in simple cases of the
motion of rigid bodies (227), in cases, viz., in which one
line in the body has a fixed direction in space. More
complex cases require higher mathematical treatment
than the readers of this work are supposed able to
apply.
494. In many cases, especially when the forces act only
for a very short time, it is convenient to have the equa-
tions of motion expressed in terms of the impulses of the
acting forces rather than of the forces themselves. Let
V, w and v', w' be the initial and final values of the com-
ponent linear velocity of the centre of mass in the direc-
tion of the impulse, and of the angular velocity of the
body about the fixed axis, respectively. Then (117, 225,
and 319),
-, - ^Ft 2*
2m zm
and w —w = ^ — 9 = v» — 9>
where $ is the impulse of the force F.
495. The laws of the conservation of linear and of
angular momentum, deduced from the equations of motion
of extended systems (416 and 429) apply necessarily to
rigid systems. The expression of the latter becomes
somewhat modified however. In the case of extended
systems, it is expressed by the equation Smwr^ = con-
stant. In the case of a rigid body, either about an axis
496] OF RIGID BODIES. 373
fixed both in it and in space, or about an axis fixed in it
through the centre of mass, it is expressed by the equa-
tion w^rrir^ = constant.
496. Motion about Fixed Axes. — We shall now discuss
some examples of the application of the equations of
motion to the determination of the motion of rigid
bodies. We take first cases in which the axis of rotation
is fixed both in the body and in space.
Examples.
(1) Find the angular acceleration of a uniform circular ddac,
moveable about an axis through its centre, perpendicular to its
plane, under a force applied in the plane
of the disc by means of a string fixed at
a point of the rim of the disc and wrapped
round the rim.— Let the disc have a mass
M and a radius r, and let its radius of I
gyration about the given, axis be k. The
force F acts tangentially to the disc. If
it acts as in the diagram, its moment
about the fixed axis is (425) - Fr. Hence
(493)
Fr
The angular acceleration is therefore constant. Hence, if the
initial angular velocity be given, the final angular velocity and
the displacement after any time may be determined as in 225.
(2) A rigid rod, 12 ft. long, whose mass may be neglected, has at
one end a particle of 10 lbs. mass and at the other a particle of
5 lbs. mafis. It is free to rotate in a horizontal plane about an axis
through the centre of mass of the system. Find the force which
must be applied to the smaller particle perpendicularly to the rod
that unit angular velocity may be produced in the rod in 1 sec.
Ans. 60 poundals.
374
DYNAMICS
[496
(3) Find the time of oscillation of a heavy body capable of rota-
tion about a fixed horizontal axis, which does not pass through its
centre of mass. [Such a body is .called a compound or physical
pendulum.'] — Let the plane of the diagram be a
plane through the centre of mass perpendicular
to the fixed axis. Let S be the point in which
that plane intersects the axis, C the centre of
mass, and SN a vertical line.
The external forces are the weight mff (if m is
the mass of the body) and the forces by which
the axis is fixed. The latter have no moment
about the axis. The moment of the weight
which (474) acts at the centre of mass is, if we
denote CS by A and the angle CSN by 6,
-mgh sin 0. If k is the radius of gyration of
the body about an axis parallel to the fixed axis through the centre
of mass, the moment of inertia of the body about *S is (488)
?n(F+A2). Hence, if a is the angular acceleration about S,
_ mgh sin
"~~^', be the components vertically upwards of the velocities of the
centre of mass before and after impact respectively. Let w and u
be the angular velocities about the centre of mass before and after
impact respectively (the positive direction of rotation being counter-
clockwise). Then the integral linear and angular accelerations are
v'—v and a' — u respectively. Hence
and w' >— w = — *a cos 6/(mk^.
(a) 'If there is no recoil, A remains in contact with CI) after the
impact. Hence the sum of its component velocities after impact
must be zero. These are «' upwards and u'acosS downwards.
Hence
"' —u'acoa8 = 0.
These three equations are sufficient to determine ¥, u', and * in
terms of v, u, and $.
(b) If there is recoil, let the coefficient of restitution be e. Then
if *' be the impulse on impact, and * the value the impulse would
have were there no recoil, we have (379)
*'=(l+e)*.
384 DYNAMICS [497
' is therefore known in terms of v, u, $, and e. If its value be sub-
stituted for * in the first two equations, v' and o>' may then be
determined for this case also.
(15) A beam which is moving without rotation in a horizontal
plane impinges without recoil on a fixed rod at right angles to the
plane. Find (a) the impulse of the reaction of the rod, and (6) the
angular velocity of the beam immediately after impact.
Ans. (a) mi%aino/(c^+A^); (6) CMsino/(c2+P) ; where m= mass
of beam, i= radius of gyration about normal axis through centre
of mass, M= velocity of centre of mass before impact, a=inclination
of direction of u to the beam, c= distance of centre of mass of beam
from fixed rod at instant of impact.
498. Motion of Systems of Rigid Bodies. — If the motion
is to be determined of several bodies which act upon one
another, the equations of motion must be applied to each
of them. The following cases will serve as illustrations :
Examples.
(1) Two particles of masses m, and m' are connected by an inex-
tensible string which hangs over a pulley moveable about a fixed
horizontal axis. The axle of the pulley is smooth, its rim so rough
that the string does not slip. Find the acceleration of the particles.
(A twood's Machine. See 382, Ex. 1).
Let yand T be the tensions in the portions of the string attached
to m, and m' respectively. The moments of T
and T about the axis of the pulley are, if r is the
radius of the pulley, Tr and — Tr respectively.
Hence, if a is the angular acceleration of the
pulley,
Tr- Tr
"" MW '
where Jf is the mass of the pulley and h its radius
.J,' >^ of gyration about its axis. As the string is in-
extensible, the acceleration a of m' is the same as
that of m; and we have as in 382, Ex. (1),
a = {m'g-T')lm; = {T-'mg)lm.
498] OP RIGID BODIES. 385
We have also, since the string does not slip,
Hence we have four equations involving four unknown quantities,
a, a, T, T. Eliminating o, T, and T, we find
_ m! — m
which differs from theresult of 382, Ex. 1, in which the string hangs
over a smooth peg by the introduction of the quantity MFjrK
(2) A uniform cylinder weighing 100 lbs. tarns without friction
on its axis which is horizontal. Motion s communicated by a body
of 10 lbs. mass, attached to an inextensible string without weight,
which is coiled round the surface of the cylinder. Find the distance
through which the body will descend from rest in 10 sec.
Ans. \Qg.
(3) To the string coiled round the wheel of the simple machine
called the Wheel and Axle (254, Ex. 5) a mass of 10 lbs. is attached ;
to the string around the axle a mass of 100 lbs. Given that the
radii are 3 ft. and 3 in. respectively, that the moment of inertia
about the axis expressed in terms of the pound and foot is 2400,
and that the machine is frictionless, find the number of revolutions
made in 1 minute from rest, taking g to be 32 ft. -sec. units.
Ans. 60/7r.
(4) Find the time of a small oscillation of a Balance with nearly
equal masses in its pans. [The Balance consists of a' practically
rigid body called the beam, moveable about a horizontal axis fixed
in it, and symmetrical about a plane through this axis and the centre
of mass of the beam. It carries pans or scales to contain, one the
body to be " weighed," and the other standards of mass. The pans
are moveable about axes fixed in the beam, which are parallel to
the axis of the beam, and are equidistant both from it and from the
centre of mass. A plane through the centre of mass of the beam,
perpendicular to the three axes, intersects them in three points,
which are called the points of suspension of the beam and pans
respectively. The distances of the points of suspension of the pans
from that of the beam are called the arms of the balance. The
2b
386
DYNAMICS
[498
centre of mass of the beam is usually below its fixed axis, the beam
being provided with an adjustment by which the position of that
point may be varied. The line joining the points of suspension of
thte pans passes in general below the axis of the beam. In some in-
struments it is made to pass as nearly as possible through the axis,
in others a little above it, when the pans are unloaded.]
Let OBC be the beam, being its point of suspension; (? its
centre of mass, and B and C the points of suspension of the pans
P and Q. Let A be the point in which OG produced cuts CB. It
is obvious that OA is at right angles to BC. In the diagram the
angle OCA is for clearness made large. It is usually small.
The beam is acted upon by three forces, its weight and the
resultants T, T' of the tensions in the strings or rods supporting
P and Q respectively. The motion of the beam is usually slow and
through small angles. Hence, though P and Q will oscillate about
G and B, we may for an approximate result assume T and T' to be
vertical. If, then, M be the mass of the beam and h its radius of
gyration about 0, m and m! the masses of the pans P and Q respec-
tively with their contents, ;8 the angle OCA , and 9 the inclination
of BG to the horizon at any instant, we have for the angular ac-
celeration (a) of the beam
_ T{AGcose-OAsme)-T\ABao&e+0Aaine)-Mg.0a.sm e.
For the reader will have no difficulty in proving by the aid of the
498] OF EIGID BODIES. 387
second figure, (in which the dotted lines are all either horizontal or
vertical) that the numerator of this expression for a is the algebraic
sum of the moments of the forces about 0.
The pans P and Q are acted upon by two forces each, viz., their
weights and the resultants T and T' of the tensions in the strings
or rods supporting them. Hence the vertical linear acceleration
of P is {mg — T)jm ; and it is equal to the vertical component of the
linear acceleration of C, which is a . OC . cos (e+jS). Hence
m.g~T= maOG cos (0 + ;8).
Similarly 7"-TO'gr=m'oOCcos(9-|3).
Now OCcos(e±^) = OC(cQa « cos /S + sin e sin |3)
==ACcoBe+OA sine.
Hence
aMk^ = 'mg(A C cos e - OA ain B) - m'g{A O cos e+OA sine)
- MgOa sin e - moOC^ 008^(0 + /3) - m'a.OC^ cos2(e - A )
For small values of e therefore
aMlc^=mg(AC- OA.0)- m'g{AG+ OA .e)-Mg . OG .6
- (m + m')aOC^ cos^^
Hence, noting that AC= OC cos j8,
_ m(AC- OA.e)- m'{A C+ OA .' e) -M.OG.e
" Mk^ + {m + m')AC^ ^'
. If the masses of P and Q are the s^-me, viz. m, we have
__ 2m.0A+M.0O „
" Mk^+2m.AG'^ ^ ■
Hence (496, Ex. 3) the time of a small oscillation is
/ Mk^ + im.AC-''
\/ {2m.OA+M.0O}ff'
If B, 0, and C are in the same straight line, AC= OC and OA =0.
Hence «=2x^ _^^_^^__ .
Quickness of motion is a desirable characteristic of a balance,
and it should therefore be so constructed that i may be as small as
388
DYNAMICS
[498
possible. Hence for this purpose the mass of the beam, its radius
of gyration, and the distance between the points of suspension of
the pans, should be as small as possible, and the distance from the
axis both of the centre of mass and of the line joining the points
of suspension of the pans should be as great as possible.
For conditions of sensitiveness, see 507; Ex. 11.
(5) A uniform sphere S rolls -without sliding down AB a line of
greatest slope of the inclined plane surface of a wedge AG, which
lies upon a smooth horizontal table Ox, the centres of mass of the
sphere and wedge and the given line AB being in the same vertical
plane. It is required to determine the motion of the sphere and
wedge.
Let the vertical plane containing the line AB and the centres of
mass of sphere and wedge, Z) and O, intersect the table in the line
Ox ; and let Oy be drawn in this plane, and perpendicular to Ox.
Let m be the mass of the sphere, r its radius, k its radius of gyra-
tion about any axis through its centre of mass, m' the mass of the
OB C
wedge, B the normal component, and J'' the frictional component of
the reaction between the sphere and wedge, and 4> the angle ABO
of the wedge. As it is the frictional component of the reaction of
the wedge on the sphere which causes the sphere to roll, it must be
directed up the plane. Hence the same component of the reaction
of the sphere on the wedge is directed down the plane. (The forces
acting on the wedge are indicated by double arrow-heads.)
The equations determining the motion of the sphere are as fol-
lows. If a^c is the linear acceleration of the centre D of the sphere
in the direction Ox,
■*98] OF EIGID BODIES. 389
««=( - R sin +F cos )lm.
If dn is its linear acceleration in the direction (?y,
a„ —{Rco&4> + F sin - mg)lm.
If a is the angular acceleration of the sphere about an axis through
D perpendicular to the plane of the diagram
a.=Frl{mk^).
The wedge obviously moves so that BC remains in contact with
the table. Hence the weight of the wedge and the normal reaction
of the smooth table do not affect its motion, and the acceleration
a'x of the centre of mass of the wedge is therefore
a'x=(R sin - i^cos )/m'.
In the above four equations we have six unknown quantities,
R, F, a, a^, Uy^ a'x. But two more equations may be obtained by a
statement of the kinematic conditions of the problem. First, since
S rolls down the inclined plane, the change produced in any time
in i^s vertical distance from any point B in the wedge divided by
the change in its horizontal distance from the same point is equal
to tan 0. Hence at every instant the ratio of Ifs vertical velocity
relative to B to its horizontal velocity relative to B has this
value ; and hence also the ratio of the vertical acceleration of D to
its horizontal acceleration relative to B has the value tan 0. Now,
the vertical accelerations of D relative to B and to are the same,
for B has no vertical acceleration relative to 0. And the horizontal
acceleration of D relative to is equal to that of B relative to 0,
together with that of D relative to B ; and therefore the horizontal
acceleration of D relative to B is equal to that of D relative to 0,
minus that of B relative to 0. Hence the first kinematic condition
may be expressed by the equation
«»/(«! - a'l) = tan 0.
Secondly, since there is no sliding of the sphere on the inclined
plane, the linear velocity in any direction of that point of the
sphere which is in contact with the wedge must at every instant be
equal to the velocity of the wedge in the same direction. Now,
this point of the sphere has in the direction Ox two component
390 DYNAMICS [49S
linear velocities, one v^ the horizontal velocity of 3, and another
ria cos 4' due to the angular velocity w of the sphere about D.
Hence if v^' is the horizontal velocity of the wedge,
v^'^Vx + rucos.
As this holds for every instant, it follows that
afx=ax+ra cos ' + Tnv' cos x-
As no forces act on either sphere in the- direction perpendicular
to CD
M sin 0=1*' sin ^',
and 'wsinx=»'sinx'.
If there is no recoil the component velocities in the direction of CD
are simply equalized by the impact. Hence
w'cos0' = i/cosx'.
498] OF EIGID BODIES. 393
These four equations are sufficient to determine «', «', 0', x in terms
of u, V, tp, and x-
If there is recoil, and if e is the coefficient of restitution, we
have (379)
vf cos x' - u' cos <)>' — e(u cos - w cos x) ;
and this equation, with the first three of those obtained above, are
sufficient to determine the four unknown quantities.
The impact of two spheres, whose centres at the instant of impact
are not moving in the same straight line, is said to be oblique.
(12) A smooth ball A , weighing 20 grm., strikes another ball E
which is at rest, the direction of A's motion being inclined 30° to
the line joining the centres of A and B at the instant of impact,
and glances off in a direction perpendicular to that of its motion
before impact. Find the mass of B, the coefficient of restitution
being 0'4.
Ans. 400 grm.
(13) A billiard ball A (mass=m) impinges upon another B (mass
=«i') which is at rest, the direction of A'a motion before impact
being inclined 45° to the line joining the centres at the instant of
impact, rind the direction of A'a motion after impact, assuming
the coefficient of restitution equal to unity.
Ans. Inclination to the line joining the centres =tan~*^ — — — .
m — m
(14) Two billiard balls A and B are lying in contact on a table.
Find the direction in which B must be struck by a third ball C so
as to be driven off in a direction inclined at a given angle d to the
line joining the centres of A and B, all three balls being smooth
and of equal volume and mass. Show that the result is the same
whatever be the value of the coefficient of restitution.
Ans. The line joining the centres of C and B at the instant of
impact must be inclined to the line joining the centres of A and B
at the angle tan-\| tan ff).
(15) Two straight rods ACBaxiA CD, whose thickness and density
are equal, and whose coefficient of restitution is unity, lie on a
smooth horizontal plane at right angles to each other, the end C
■">94 DYNAMICS [498
of the latter being in contact with the former. Determine the
point at which ACB may be struck without consequent rotation.
Ans. If AC=a, CB=h, and CD = c, and if a>h, the required
a2 - 62
point is in AC, and its distance from C is y:-, ; ..
2(a + 6 + c)
(16) A ball (mass=«i, radius=?', radius of gyration about its
centre = ^) sliding without rotation along a smooth horizontal
plane, with velocity u, strikes against a perfectly rough vertical
plane, its direction of motion before impact being inclined at the
angle 6 to the vertical plane. Show (1) that if there is no recoil
the impulse, during impact, of the frictional component of the
reaction of the vertical plane is
7nJc\ cos
f + Jc' '
and (2) that if the coefficient of restitution is e, the ball's direction
of motion after impact is inclined to the vertical plane at the angle
499. The Law of Energy. — The general law of energy,
deduced (437) from the equations of motion for extended
systems, including the law of the conservation of energy
(435), applies of course to those extended systems which
are rigid. Its application to the solution of problems is
simplified in the case of rigid bodies for two reasons.
First, as the particles of the system are at invariable
distances from one another, the internal forces do no
work in any displacement, and therefore the external
forces only appear in the equation. Secondly, the ex-
pression for the kinetic energy relative to the centre of
mass is very simple. If m is the angular velocity about
an axis fixed in the body, and r the distance of a particle
from the axis, cor is its linear velocity relative to points in
that axis. Hence the kinetic energy of' the system rela-
tive to points in the given axis is
2
499}
OF EIGID BODIES.
39&
if M and h are the mass of the body and its radius of
gyration about the given axis respectively. If the given
axis pass through the centre of mass, the above is the
expression for the kinetic energy relative to that point.
We shall illustrate the application of the law of energy
to the solution of problems by a few examples :
Exarri'ples.
(1) A uniform rod moves in a vertical plane within a fixed smooth
hemisphere. To determine its angular velocity in any position, its
initial position being one of instantaneous rest. — Let ABB' be the
hemisphere, its centre, Oa; and i o o ff
Oy horizontal and vertical lines
respectively in the plane of the
rod's motion. Let A'B' be the
initial position of the rod, h
being the distance (ffJ)') of its
centre of mass (C) from Ox. /^
Let AB \)& its position at the
instant under consideration, OB
and DC, or x and ^, being the co-ordinates of its centre of mass.
The component velocities of C will be x and y. Hence if m is the
angular velocity of the rod about C, m its mass, and h its radius of
gyration about a normal axis through C, the kinetic energy of
the rod in the position AB and therefore the increase of kinetic
energy during the motion from the position A'B' to the position AB
is (442) \m{a? +y^+ Pf^. The external forces acting on the rod are
the reactions of the smooth sphere and the weight of the rod. As
the ends of the rod move in all positions in directions perpendicular
to the reactions exerted on them, no work is done by or against these
reactions. Work has been done by the weight of the rod, and, as
the centre of mass has fallen through the distance y — h verti-
cally, the potential energy has diminished by the amount mg(^ — h).
Hence, by the law of conservation of energy,
Now the instantaneous centre of the motion (233) of ^^ is 0. Hence
396 DYNAMICS [499
the linear velocity of C is perpendicular to OG and has the magni-
tude OC. w, or, if c be the distance of the rod from the centre, cu.
Hence its components in the directions Oip, Oy are, if the angle
COy be written S,
x= —cbi cos 6,
y = cuamd.
Also _ y = c cos 0,
and A=ccos^,
if is the initial value of 6. Hence, substituting in the above
equation these values of x, y, y, and k, we obtain
{c'+k^)a^=2cg{cos - cos + Qsm9
(10) The radii of the wheel (If) and the axle {A) of the simple
machine called the Wheel and Axle
(254, Ex. 5) are R and r respectively.
Find the force P exerted through a string
coiled round the wheel which will balance
a force Q exerted through a string coiled
round the axle (the axle being smooth).
Since the sum of the moments about
the fixed axis must be zero, PR -Qr=0
a,ndP=QrlR.
(11) Find the conditions that must be
fulfilled that a Balance maybe stable and
sensitive. (See 498, Ex. 4.)
The beam without the pans will be in stable equilibrium
(450), if G (fig. of 498, Ex. 4) be vertically below 0, in which
case BG will be horizontal. If the centre of mass of the
beam be at 0, the beam without the pans will be in neutral
equilibrium. With pans of equal mass the beam will be in stable
equilibrium, with BC horizontal, provided (1) that G and BC are
both below 0, or (2) that if O be above 0, BC be sufficiently far
below it, or (3) that if BC be above 0, G be sufficiently far below it.
When the balance is in equilibrium, T and T' are vertical and
equal to mg and m'g respectively. As the sum of the moments of
the forces acting on the beam about must be zero, we have,
if m and m' are the masses of the pans, and 8 the inclination of BC
to the horizon,
mg[AC cos e-OAaiai)- m'g{AB cos 9 + 0^ sin e) - Mg . 00 . sin 9=0.
The greater the angle 8 for a given value of m — m' the greater is
the sensitiveness of the balance. Hence for sensitiveness the mass
507] OF RIGID BODIES. 407
of the beam, the load (i.e., the total mass in both pans) and the dis-
tance of the axis of the beam both from its centre of mass and from
the line joining the points of suspension of the pans must be as
small as possible, and the distance between the points of suspension
of the pans must be as great as possible. Except with regard to
the mass of the beam, the conditions for sensitiveness and for
quickness of motion (498, Ex. 4) are antagonistic. Hence in all
balances the mass of the beam is made as small as is consistent
with sufficient rigidity, and a compromise is struck between the
demands of sensitiveness and of quickness of motion with regard to
length of arm, etc.
If the line BC pass through 0, OA = 0. Hence
tane = (^,-;^-^.
•M.OG
In this case, therefore, the sensitiveness is independent of the
load.
(12) nil, ™2i ^'"® t^^ apparent values of the mass of a body when
weighed successively in both pans of a balance which has its three
suspension points in a straight line, (a) If its pans are equal and
its arms unequal, show that the real mass of the body is \fm^n^.
(6) If its arms are equal but the pans unequal, show that the
difference of the masses of the pans is ^(m^^m^i.
(13) The beam of a false balance (i.e., one having unequal arms)
is 3 ft. long. If a certain body is placed in one scale it weighs 4
lbs., if in the other 6 lbs. 4 oz. Find (a) the real mass of the body,
and (6) the lengths of the arms.
Ans. (a) 5 lbs.; (6) 1 ft. 4 in. and 1 ft. 8 in.
(14) The shaft of a steam engine carries a strong wheel (radius
Jn.
= r) with a flat I'im. An iron strap lined with blocks of wood is
408 DYNAMICS [507
fitted round it, and presses the blocks against the flat rim of the
■wheel. A rod is attached to the strap, and carries at its end (dis-
tant I from- centre of shaft) a pan for standards of mass. When
the shaft is making n revolutions per second, and doing no work
except that of overcoming the friction of the strap, the rod is main-
tained in a horizontal position by putting standards, of ■weight W,
into the pan. Find the rate at ■which the engine is working.
[This arrangement is called the Friction Brake Dynamometer. It
should be called an ergometer, as it is not force that ■we measure by
it, but rate of ■work done.]
The rigid system, consisting of strap, rod, and wooden blocks, is
in equilibrium under its own weight, the weight of the standards,
and the friction of the rotating wheel. The rod is always counter-
poised, so that its own. weight passes through the shaft of the
engine, which is the fixed axis of the rigid system under considera-
tion. Hence if F is the friction of any small element of the surface
of the wheel, we have
-ZFr- Wl=Q.
Hence Wl^JiFr^r-ZF.
The work done against friction during n revolutions of the shaft at
each element of the surface of contact is iTrmF. Hence the whole
work done against friction per second is
^vnrJiF='2,Tn'Wl.
Hence the rate at which the engine is working is expressed in
terms of n and W.
(15) A uniform thin triangular plate is supported in a horizontal
position by three props at its angular points. Show that the pres-
sures on the props will be equal.
[As there is equilibrium, the moment of the force exerted by any
prop about an axis through the points at which the other props
touch the plate must be equal to the moment of the weight about
the same axis.]
(16) A triangular plate is hung with its plane horizontal by
three vertical chains, attached to the middle points of its sides.
507]
OF EIGIP BODIES.
409
What must its mass be that a ton may be placed anywhere on it
without tilting it ?
Ans. 3 tons.
(17) A rod AB hinged at one end so that it can move in a ver-
tical plane rests with the other end on a smooth inclined plane,
whose line of intersection with the horizontal plane is perpendicular
to the plane of AB's motion. Find the force exerted on it by the
hinge and the reaction of the plane.
Let ABhe the rod hinged at A and resting with the end B on the
inclined plane BC. Let AC J) be the horizontal plane, and let the
angles BCD, BA C, be e and ip respectively.
The rod is acted upon by three forces — its weight W acting
vertically through G its centre of mass, the normal reaction B of
the inclined plane, and the force F exerted by the hinge. Hence
(506) the force F must pass through the intersection ^ of TT and R.
The direction of F is known if the angle EAB(\li) is known. Now,
AG sm.AEQ _ e.m.{\^r~-^|/) _ cos( + f)
~(iJf~ sin f sin ^ sin ^ '
GB sin GEB_ sin g _ sin g
and
Hence
and
Inf sin GBE sin (^x + ^ - e) cos (fi - 0)
■<^g_ cos(9-^) cos(0 + \{') .
^B sing ' sin^
t-ifjiG sing
^=cot"
\GB cos cos
^)+*-4
410
DYNAMICS
[507
For the magnitude of F we have (506)
Hence
W:F=smFR:si3x WR
=sinAEB:sia6FB
= sin{^Tr-4>-i' + 9) : sin 9
= cos(^ + ^ - S) : sin 6.
coa{gainst
a rough vertical wall (angle of repose = e), and a cord tied to the
other extremity B is fastened at a point in the wall above A, the
vertical plane through the rod being perpendicular to the wall.
Show that, if the rod is to be horizontal, the length of the cord
must be - Vw^ + tan^e.
n
(28) A uniform heavy rod, 2 ft. long, is hung up to a peg by
means of two strings tied to its ends, the lengths of, the strings
414
DYNAMICS
[507
being 1 ft. and ^3 ft- respectively. Show that, when the rod is
in equilibrium, it will make an angle of 30° with the horizon, and
the tension of the shorter string will be equal to half the weight
of the rod.
(29) A uniform heavy rectangular trap-door is moveable about
one edge as a hinge-line. To the middle point A of the opposite
edge is attached a string which passes over a smooth pulley at the
point occupied by A when the door is horizontal, and sustains a
body of weight w. If W be the weight oif the door, shotv that the
inclination of the door to the horizon is given by the equation
cos^^ff - -™ cos ^9 — ^ = 0.
(30) A carriage wheel (weight = W, radius =»•) rests upon a level
road. Show that the force necessary to draw, it over an obstacle of
height h is W'Jh{2r-h)/{r - A).
(31) A heavy uniform sphere hangs from a peg by a string, the
length of which is equal to the radius, and rests against another
peg, vertically below the former, the distance between the two
being equal to the diameter. Show that the tension of the string
is equal to the weight, and the reaction of the peg to half the
weight, of the sphere.
(32) A beam or lever is moveable about a fixed rough cylindrical
R.
axle (radius =r, angle of repose = e), which very nearly fills the
hole in the beam through which it passes. Find the relation
d07]
OF RIGID BODIES.
415
between two forces P and Q acting on the beam at given points
A and B and in given directions in a plane perpendicular to the
axle, when the beam is on the point of moving. — Let 8 be the
inclination of P and Q, and let p, q be their distances from C
the centre of the axle. Produce P and Q to meet in 0. Then R,
the reaction of the axle, must pass through 0. Since the axle only
nearly fills the socket there is contact, at any instant, only along a
single line. If this line is represented in the diagram by the point D,
BO will be the direction of R and will be inclined to CD produced
at the angle e. Hence the distance of R from C is rsine. For
equilibrium therefore we have
Qq = Pp + Rr sin e.
Hence Qq = Pp + rava. e >jF'JrQ'+'2,PQ cos e,
which is the required relation between P and Q.
(33) A heavy homogeneous cubical block rests on a rough hori-
zontal plane, and a force is exerted on it by means of a string
attached to the middle point of one of the upper edges, the string
and the centre of mass being in the same vertical plane. The force
being gradually increased, find the nature of the initial motion of
the block. — Let ABO be the plane in which all the forces act, and
let F'& line of action be above the centre of mass D. Then the
initial motion of the block will
clearly be either a sliding in the
direction of AB or a turning about
the edge B. For F=0, the re-
action of the plane is normal to
AB ; but, as F is gradually in-
creased, the reaction (328) becomes
gradually more and more inclined
to the normal, passing, since there
is equilibrium, through the inter-
section oi F and W. If the cube turn about B, the reaction
must pass through B. If therefore it is on the point of turning
about B, the line of the reaction must be BO. Hence, if the fric-
tion is such that the angle CBO is less than the angle of repose,
the initial motion will be a turning about B. If however CBO is
416 DYNAMICS [507
greater than the angle of repose, slipping will be the initial motion ;
for the block will begin to slip when the reaction is inclined to the
normal at the angle of repose. Let d be the inclination of F to
A B, e the angle of repose, and a the edge of the cube, then the
condition for initial turning is
tan e > tan CBO
>|/(a-|tane)
> 1/(2- tan e).
Hence also the condition for initial sliding is
tane < 1/(2- tan «).
If F's line of action is below />, the possible initial motions are
sliding in ihe direction AB and turning about the edge A. Show .
that the condition of initial turning about A is
tarie>l/(tane-2).
(34) A homogeneous right cone (vertical angle = 29) is placed
with its base on a rough inclined plane (coefficient of friction =/i),
whose inclination is gradually increased. Show that, if /n > 4 tan B,
the initial motion of the cone will be tumbling, and if ii < 4tan 9, its
initial motion will be sliding.
(35) A rectangular block is placed with one of its edges horizontal
on a rough inclined plane. Show that, if a is the length of the
edge of the block which is perpendicular to the plane, and b the
length of the other non-horizontal edge, and if /a is the coefficient
of friction, the initial motion will be one of tumbling, provided
,11 > hja, and of sliding, provided /i< hja.
(36) A rectangular block, weighing 20 lbs., with a square base
8 inches in side, is set up on a level table, and it is found that a
horizontal force equal to the weight of 5 lbs., if applied below a
certain point, is just able to make it slide, while, if it is applied
above that point, the block topples over. Find (a) the position of
this critical point, and (6) the coefficient of friction between the
block and the table.
Ans. {a) 16 in. from the base ; (6) 0'25,
5091 OF EIGID BODIES. 417
508. Equilibrium of a System of Bigid Bodies. — If
two or more rigid bodies be connected by strings, rods,
joints, etc., the system is said to be in equilibrium pro-
vided (1) the system behave as a rigid body and be in
molar equilibrium, or (2) each body of the system be
in molar equilibrium.
(1) If the system behave as a rigid body, its parts not
moving relatively to one another, the necessary and
sufficient condition of equilibrium is (500) the satisfac-
tion of the equations 2^=0, ^FP = 0, the forces in-
volved being those external to the system only.
(2) The necessary and sufficient condition for, the
equilibrium of each body of the system is the satisfaction
for each body of the equations 2-F=0, 2iT = 0, the
forces involved in the equations including forces external
to the body to which they apply, and therefore in general
some forces which are internal to the system.
509. Examples.
(1) A body is to be supported by means of the system of smooth
pulleys represented in Fig. 1, p. 418. The weight of the body
being W, and that of the block (254, Ex. B) w, find the force F
■which must be applied at the end of the cord.
The pulleys being smooth, the stress throughout the whole
string is F (391). Hence, if there are n sheaves in each block,
. the lower block is acted upon by 2>i + 2 forces, 2n having each
the magnitude F and an upward direction, and two the magnitudes
W and w respectively and downward directions. If the directions
of all are taken to be vertical, we have therefore
2nF=W+w.
The ratio W/F is called the mechanical advantage of the system
of pulleys. If M)=0, it has in this system the value 2n.
(2) rind the mechanical advantage of the system of smooth
2d
418
DYNAMICS
[609
weightless pulleys represented in Fig. 2, there being n moveable
pulleys.
Ans. 2".
(3) Find the mechanical advantage of the system of smooth
weightless pulleys represented in Fig. 3, there being n pulleys, and
the ropes being so long that they may all be considered vertical.
Ans. 2»-l.
509]
OF KIGID BODIES.
419
(4) A system of smooth weightless pulleys, like that of Ex. 1,
but with only one moveable pulley, is in equilibrium. Show that
if the body supported by the moveable pulley have its mass
doubled, and the other its mass halved, the tension in the string
will be unaltered.
(5) Two smooth spheres rest on two smooth inclined planes and
press against each other. Determine their position and the magni-
tudes of the reactions. — Let A and B be the spheres, C and C" their
centres, DE and EF the inclined planes of inclinations ^ and e
A
respectively. Each sphere is acted upon by three forces — its weight
(W, W), the normal reactions of the planes (R, R'), and the equal
normal reactions of the spheres on one another {S, S'). As each
sphere is acted on by three forces only, these three must in each case
be in the same plane, but as the lines of action of S and S' coincide
with the line CC, W, W, IS and S' are in the same plane. Hence all
six forces are in the same plane, which is consequently a vertical
plane and perpendicular to both inclined planes. Let that be the
plane of the diagram. The positions of the spheres are determined
by the angle ^, the inclination of CC to the horizon.
For the equilibrium of A we have, resolving in the direction
otDE
Wsin tp - Scos {(p - f)=0,
and resolving in a perpendicular direction,
R- Wcos-Ssm{-R' cos — ^'sine = 0.
Also equating to zero the sum of the moments of external forces
about 0, we have,
W cos xp-R' cos {8 + \l')=0.
We have thus three equations for the determination of the three
unknown quantities R, R', and ^.
(6) Two smooth spheres of equal radius r and weight W are
placed inside a uniform thin hollow cylinder (radius =?•'< 2r) which
is open at both ends and rests with one end on a horizontal table.
What must the weight of the cylinder be that it may not upset ?
Ans. 2 W(/ -?•)//.
(7) A smooth sphere (weight = W) rests upon two equally in-
clined planes (inclination = a) which are placed on a smooth hori-
zontal table, and are prevented from sliding apart by a horizontal
string which binds them together. Find the tension in the string.
Ans. ^PTtana.
(8) Of four equal smooth spheres (weight of each= W) three rest
in contact on a smooth horizontal plane, and the fourth is placed
upon them. Find the horizontal force which must be applied
to each of the three to preserve equilibrium.
Ans. ir/3v/2.
(9) A heavy uniform smooth beam (weight = w, length = 2a) is
moveable in a vertical plane about a smooth hinge at one end.
509] OF EIGID BODIES. 421
A heavy smooth sphere (weight= W, radius=r) is attached to the
hinge by a string (length = Z), and the two bodies rest in contact.
Obtain equations for determining the inclination 8 of the string to
the vertical, the inclination (p of the beam to the vertical, the
reaction S of the hinge on the beam, and the stress R bet-ween the
beam and the sphere.
An s. W{1 + r) sin e = wa sin ,
{l+r) sin. (e + )=r,
Roos{e+)= Waine,
(S^- w^) cos=(fl + cos(e + ).
(10) A uniform heavy rod (weight = W, length = 2Z) connects the
centres of two equal heavy wheels (radius =r), which rest on a
roiigh inclined plane (coefficient of friction =/i) in a vertical plane,
which is a plane of greatest slope of the inclined plane, the lower
wheel being locked. Find the greatest inclination of the plane
that will admit of equilibrium.
id
Ans. tan~'-
-fir
(11) Three horizontal weightless levers, ABB, BFC, CGD, the
fulcrums of which are at E, F, G, act upon one another perpendi-
cularly, the first and second at B and the second and third at C.
They are kept in equilibrium by bodies hanging from the points
A, D, and weighing W and 2 Jf respectively. AE, EB, BC, CG, GD
are 1, 2, 7, 2, 3 ft. respectively. Find (a) the position of F, and (6)
the reaction of the fulcrum at F.
Ans. {a) FG=\ ft.; (6) V Tr/2.
(12) Two beams whose weights are proportional to their lengths
(9 and 7 ft.) rest with their lower ends in contact on a smooth
horizontal plane, and their upper ends leaning against two smooth
vertical and parallel walls 10 ft. apart. Show that if B and 9' are
the respective inclinations of the beams to the horizon,
7tane = 9tane',
and 9 cos 9 + 7 cos e' = 10.
(13) Two uniform straight rods of equal length rest with their
422 DYNAMICS [509
lower ends on a rough horizontal plane (coefficient of friction =jn)
and their upper ends in contact, and are on the point of slipping.
Find the common inclination to the horizon.
Ans. tan-Xl/S/t).
(14) Two bars which are connected by a smooth hinge or joint
are in equilibrium. Investigate generally its reactions on the bars.
(flf) If the hinge pin is rigidly connected with one of the bars,
the reactions between the bars are obviously equal and opposite,
their magnitude and direction depending upon the external forces
acting upon the bars.
(6) If the hinge pin is distinct from both bars, and if no external
forces act on the pin (which condition requires either that the
weight of the pin should be negligible, or that it should be
neutralized by an equal and opposite external force), its reactions
on the bars must be equal and opposite. For the pin is in equili-
brium under the two forces exerted upon it by the bars at the
points or rather lines of contact, and as these forces must therefore
be equal and opposite, the reactions of the pin on the bars must
also be equal and opposite. If however the pin is acted upon by
an external force, the forces exerted upon ^it by the bars will not
have the same line of action, and its reactions on the bars will
therefore also have different lines of action.
(15) In a system of jointed thin bars, in which the hinge-pins
are distinct from the bars, if the external forces act only on the
hinge-pins (this condition implies that the weights of the bars are
negligible), the reactions of the pins on the bars wiU be in the
directions of the bars.
For in that case any bar is acted upon by two forces only, the
reactions of the hinges at its ends. These forces must therefore be
equal and opposite, and their lines of action must consequently be
the direction of the bar.
(16) Two equal uniform rods, equally inclined to the horizon, and
connected by a smooth hinge at their higher ends, pass through two
small iixed rings in a horizontal line. Find the inclination of
either rod, when the system is in equilibrium, and the reactions of
the hinge on the rods.
509]
OF EIGID BODIES.
423
Let AB, AC be the two rods hinged &t A ; D and E the small
rings. The rods are acted upon by their weights ( W, W) and the
reactions of the rings {R, R') and of the hinge {S, S'). The reac-
tions at A must be in the same straight line, must pass through
the intersection of the lines of action of the weight and of the
reaction of the ring in the case of each rod, and must therefore be
horizontal. Hence . the centres of mass of the rods must be be-
tween the rings and their lower end points.
Let I be the length of each rod, d the distance between the two
rings, and 6 the inclination of each rod to the horizon. Resolving
the forces acting on AC in the direction of AC, we have,
Wame-Scose=0,
and, taking moments about £!, we have
W cos e{l- d/cos 0)-Sdta,ne=O.
From these equations we may obtain both S and e.
(17) Three rods jointed together at their extremities, are laid on
a smooth horizontal table, and horizontal forces are applied at their
middle points perpendicularly to them. Show that if these forces
produce equilibrium, the stresses at the joints will be equal and
their directions will touch the circle circumscribing the triangle
(See 475, Ex. 1.)
(18) Two uniform rods A C, BC (weights= w and W) are connected
by a smooth hinge at C, their other ends A and B being fastened to
424
DYNAMICS
[509
fixed hinges in a vertical line. Find the reactions of the hinges on
the bars.
Let Xj, J'j and Xj, T^ be the horizontal and vertical components
of the reactions oa. AC and BG at A and B respectively. (It does
not matter in what direction, up or down, we draw Y^, T^ or
whether we draw X^, X^ to the right or left. If the actual re-
actions have components in directions opposite to those assumed in
the diagram, the values of X-^, Zj, etc., as the case may be, will be
found negative.) Let X3, Y^ be the components of the reaction of
the hinge at C on the rod AC. Then, since the hinge-pin is not
acted on by external forces, its weight being negligible, its reaction
on -BC will have components — X3, — I3. As the four forces shown
in the diagram as acting at Cact two on j4Cand two on BC, it is
often advisable to draw a special diagram for each bar. Such
diagrams are shown above. The equations of equilibrium may be
vmtten down by their aid without danger of inserting BC& forces
in AC'& equation. Thus for the equilibrium of .4 C we have
Xi-1-X3=0,
Fi-l-r3-J»=0,
and taking AC=%a., and calling its inclination to AB, a.
509] OF RIGID BODIES. 425
2a( A'l cos a+ Yj sin a) — wa sin a—0.
And for the equilibrium of BC, calling its length 26, and its inclina-
tion to AH, |3, we have
We have thus six equations -which are sufficient to determine the
six unknown components of the reactions.
(19) Two uniform beams J Cand CB (weights = W and W respec-
tively) connected at C by a smooth joint are placed in a vertical
plane, their extremities A, B being connected by a string and rest-
ing on a smooth horizontal plane (inclinations of AC, CB to the
horizon = a and a respectively). Find (a) the tension in the string,
and (6) the reaction at the joint.
Ans. (a)
2(tan a + tan a') '
• (6) magnitudes -^^'^ ^T^^^T"; "" ''""''' '
^ * 2(tana-f-tano')
line of action inclined to horizon at tan~^( .■?"„,. ^^'^ \
(20) Two rods AB, CD are connected by smooth hinges a,t A, D
to two fixed points in the same horizontal line, and at B, C, also by
smooth hinges to the ends of a rod BC. Show that if all three rods
are of equal length, and if either AB or CD is inclined a° to the
horizon, the inclination to the horizon of the reaction of the joint at
its lower end will be tan-i( J tan o).
(21) A plane polygonal frame, composed of a system of rigid
bars, moveable freely round their jointed extremities, is in stable
equilibrium imder the action of a system of forces proportional to,
and bisecting perpendicularly, its several sides. Show that its
several vertices lie in a circle.
(22) If a system of .thin jointed bars, in which external forces
act on the bars, be in equilibrium, and if the external forces acting
on each bar be resolved into components acting at the joints, the
426 , DYNAMICS [509
stress in each bar is the resultant of the reaction of the joint on the
bar and the ccvmponents at the joint of the external forces acting on
the bar.
Let AS be the bar, A and B being the points of contact with
the hinge-pin. Let Ji^ and R^ ^^ ^^^ reactions of the hinge-pins on
the bar, and F the external force. Resolve F into two components
Fi and F2 acting at A and B. Then R-^, R^, F^, F^ are equi-
valent to ifj, R^, and F. Now ^1 and Fy, and R^ and F^ give in
each case a single resultant 8^ and S^ respectively ; and as the bar
is in equilibrium under these two resultants they must be equal
and opposite.
It will be noticed that S-^ and S^ are not the reactions of the
hinge-pins, but the resultant forces acting at the end points A
and B which are in contact with the pins. These forces, as repre-
sented in the diagram, tend to shorten the distance AB. In actual
bars a compression brings elastic forces into operation, and S^ and
8^, having changed the length of the bar somewhat, will thus be
equilibrated by the elastic stress in the rod. In dealing with rigid
rods, we imagine the stress produced in the rod, though the change
of length is supposed indefinitely small. The particles at A and B
are thus in equilibrium under the forces Sy, 8^ respectively, and the
stress in the bar. Hence that stress has the same value as 8^ or 8^,
509] OF KIGID BODIES. 427
and its directions at ^4 and B are opposite to the directions of
S{ and S2 at A and JS respectively.
It may be mentioned that in frame work a bar which is short-
ened by the forces acting on it is called a strut ; one which is
lengthened is called a tie.
(23) If a system of thin jointed bars in which external forces act
on the bars be in equilibrium, the hinge-pins, supposed weightless,
may be considered as being in equilibrium under the stresses in
the bars they connect and the components at the joints of the
external forces acting on the bars.
Since Si (fig. of Ex. 22) is the resultant of R^ and F^, a force
equal and opposite to 5^ would equilibrate M^ and F^. Hence a force
equal and opposite to S^ together with F^ would give as resultant a
force equal and opposite to Ri. Now, if a hinge-pin connect two or
more bars, it is in equilibrium under any external forces acting on
it, together with forces equal and opposite to the reactions it exerts
on the bars. Hence it may be considered as being in equilibrium
under the stresses in the bars and the components at the hinge of
the external forces ,acting on the bars, with the external forces
acting on itself.
This result is of importance in engineering as enabling us to
determine the stresses in framework subjected to given external
forces.
(24) Three weightless bars AB, BG, CA, jointed at their ex-
tremities, are kept in equilibrium by three forces acting at the
joints — F acting a,t A, Q a,t B, and R at C. Show that if Sa, /Sj, Sc
are the stresses in BC, GA, AB respectively, whose lengths are
a, b, e respectively, and if is the point in which P, Q, and R
intersect,
„ ^ e « • 04 f>OB c.OG
(25) Four heavy bars AB, BG, CD, DE (weights =iOi, w^ Wg, w^
respectively) are jointed each to the next at B, G, D and to fixed
points at A and E. The rod BG being horizontal, and 6 being the
inclination of CD to the horizon, show that the inclination of DE is
tan-if^Vh^^VtBtanO-
428
DYNAMICS
[509
(26) Three beams, AB, BC, VA are connected at their ends by
smooth hinge-pius, so £is to form a triangle. The ends of the beam
€A rest upon pillars of equal height. The other two are in a
vertical plane ; and at the joint which connects them hangs a body
whose weight W is so great that the weights of the beams may be
neglected. The lengths of the beams being given, show how to de-
termine the stresses in the beams and the reactions of the pillars.
Take any point 0, and from it draw Op vertically downwards,
making its length nuraierically equal to W. From draw Oq parallel
to BC, from p,pq parallel to AB, and
from q, qr in a horizontal direction.
By Ex. 23 the pin at B is in
equilibrium under forces whose
directions are those of AB, CB,
and W, or of pq, qO, and Op ; and
as Op represents W in magnitude
it follows that pq represents the
stress ia AB and qO that in CB.
Similarly it may be shown that qr
represents th.d stress in CA and
that pr and rO represent R^ and
R^, the reactions of the pillars,
respectively.
The diagram Opq constructed as
above is called a Force Diagram. It may be used to solve the
problem in two ways. (1) By its aid we may obtain formulae by
which the stresses may be calculated. Thus the sides of the
triangle ABC being known, we may express the angles CBD and
ABD and therefore the angles qOp and qpO, and therefore also
the angle Oqp in terms of them. Hence also since OqlOp =
sin Opqjwa. Oqp, Oq/Op may be expressed in terms of them. But if
S is the stress in BC, SI W= Oq/Op. Hence the stress in BC may
be expressed in terms of W and the lengths of the beams. And
expressions for the other stresses may be obtained in the same way.
(2) The lengths of the beams being given, exact values of the angles
ABD, CBD may be obtained, and the force diagram may be care-
fully drawn to scale. Then Op having been drawn with a length
numerically equal to W, a careful measurement of the lengths of
510]
OF RIGID BODIES.
429
Op, pq, and qr determines the stresses. Tke stresses thus deter-
mined are said to be determined graphically ; and in complicated
framework the labour of calculation is much reduced by the graphic
method.
(27) A Warren girder consists of 19 rods AB, BC, etc., of equal
length, jointed together as in the diagram. Bodies of equal weight,
and so heavy that the weights of the rods may be neglected, are
hung at the joints B, C, D, E, and the girder is supported on piers
of equal height at A and F. Show that there is no stress in KG
or KD.
510. Conditions of Equilibrium in terms of Work Done.
— If a rigid body is in equilibrium {i.e., molar equilibrium)
the algebraic sum of the amounts of work done by the
external forces during any indefinitely small displacement
consistent with rigidity is equal to zero.
Any such displacement may (245) be resolved into a
translation, and a rotation about the direction of trans-
lation. Any point P of the body therefore will undergo
a linear displacement compounded of one S' in the direc-
tion of the translation, and another (5 in a plane perpen-
dicular to that direction, and due to the rotation about
the direction of the translation. Resolve the force F,
acting at this point, into two components, one F' in the
direction of translation, the other F" in the perpendicular
plane.
Since the body is in equilibrium, 1,F = 0. Multiplying
by S', which is the same for all points of the body, we
have
8"2F' = 'LF'S'=d-
430
DYNAMICS
[510
i.e., the algebraic sum of the amounts of work done by the
components of the external forces in the direction of the
translation is zero.
Let the plane of the diagram
be the plane perpendicular to
the axis of the rotation, the
intersection of the two being
at 0. Let PA perpendicular
to OP be the small linear dis-
placement S of P due to the
rotation w about 0. From
draw OM (length =p) at right
angles to F", the component of F in the plane of the
diagram. Since there is equilibrium, 1iF"p = 0. If 6 is
the inclination of S to F",
p = OP cos 6 ■
S „ S"
■■ - cos y = —
0) w
if 8" denote the component of S in the direction of F".
Hence
(0 U)
Hence also Si^'X = 0, i.e., the work done by the com-
ponents of the external forces perpendicular to the direc-
tion of the translation is zero.
If d is the component of the resultant linear displace-
ment of P in the direction of F, Fd is the work done by
F during 'the displacement. Hence (342)
Fd=F'S'+F"S"
and i:Fd = i:F'S'+^F"S!' = 0.
And "EFd is the algebraic sum of the amounts of work
done by the external forces during the indefinitely small
displacement selected.
511. Conversely, if during any indefinitely small dis-
514] OF RIGID BODIES. 431
placement of a rigid body, consistent with its rigidity,
the algebraic sum of the amounts of work done by the
external forces be zero, the body will be in equilibrium
{i.e., molar equilibrium).
For it may be shown by the steps of 510 in the reverse
order that
I.Fd = I,F'S' + I,F"S" = S'XF + a,I,F"p = 0.
•Now S' and m are arbitrary and unrelated, the displace-
ment being any displacement whatever. Hence 'ZF' = 0,
and 1,F"p = 0, i.e., the body is in equilibrium.
512. Hence it is a necessary and sufficient condition of
the equilibrium (molar) of a rigid body that the algebraic
sum of the amounts of work done by the external forces
during any indefinitely small displacement consistent
with rigidity, be equal to zero.
513. It follows from 449 that the necessary and suffi-
cient condition of the molecular equilibrium (444) of a
rigid body, which is obviously consistent with translation
but not with rotation of the body, is that the algebraic
sum of the amounts of work done by all forces, external
and internal, during any indefinitely small displacement,
be equal to zero. If the displacement be one consistent
with the rigidity of the body, the internal forces (499)
do no work. Hence the conditions of molar and of
molecular equilibrium for a rigid body are identical.
Thus the same conditions must be fulfilled, that a rigid
body acted upon by external forces may spin without
angular acceleration, as that it may move without angular
velocity about an axis fixed in itself.
514. In the case of a system of rigid bodies rigidly con-
nected [508 (1)], the necessary and sufficient condition of
equilibrium is obviously that expressed in 512, the ex-
ternal forces involved being these external to the system.
432 DYNAMICS [515
515. In the case of a system of rigid bodies, not rigidly
connected [508 (2)], since the necessary and sufficient
condition of the equilibrium of each body is expressed by
the equation 'EFd = (510-512), the forces involved
being forces external to the body, that of the equilibrium
of the system is expressed by the same equation, the forces
appearing in it being both those external to the system
and such internal forces as stresses in strings and rods
and reactions of surfaces.
If these internal forces do no work during the small
displacement to which the equation applies, as will be the
case if they are tensions in inextensible strings, stresses
in rigid rods, or reactions of smooth surfaces, the equation
"SFd = involves only forces external to the system.
516. If we wish to determine one of the internal forces,
of a system of rigid bodies connected by rigid rods or in-
extensible strings, we may imagine a small displacement
in which the parts, between which the required force acts,
so move that the required force does work, in which case
the equation 'EFd = involves the external forces and the
required internal force.
517. Fxamples.
(1) A beam (yf eight =W, length = Z, distance of centre of mass
from lower en2, etc., are the intensities of the stress on Sj, s^, etc., respeC'
tively, we have p^=hh^, p,^=kh^, etc., where i is a constant. Hence
the forces acting across s^, s^, etc., are M^Si, Ich^^ etc. Hence the
integral stress is
Tkhs = hMs= kU'E/is/lis,
for S = 2s. Now 2hs/'2s is obviously (400) the distance from the
given plane of the centre of mass of a uniform thin material
lamina of the same form and area as the given surface, and of sur-
face density unity (304), or, as it is called for shortness, the centre of
mass of the surface. Hence the integral stress is equal to the product
of the constant k, into the area of the surface, into the distance of its
centre of mass from the given plane.
(3) Find the resultant of a normal stress on a plane surface of
rectangular form (sides = a and 6), the stress at any point being pro-
portional to its distance from a given plane parallel to the sides of
length a and inclined to the sides of length b at the angle 8, and
that side of length a which is nearest the given plane being at a
distance h from it. (Use result of Ex. 2.)
Ans. kab (6 sin e + 2/0/2.
(4) Find the integral stress over a spherical surface of radius r,
the stress at any point being proportional to its distance from the
tangent plane at the highest point of the sphere and the stress at a
point at unit distance being L
Ans. 4T^r^.
(5) Find the integral stress over the curved surface of a right
cone of height h and semi-vertical angle 8, the stress at any point
of it being numerically equal to p times the distance of the point
from the base.
Ans. irphhin 9/3 cos^fl. '
528. Centre of Stress. — If a single force can be found
which is equivalent to a given stress on a given surface,
its point of application is called the centre of the stress.
446 DYNAMICS [528
In the case in which the stresses at all points of the
surface are parallel, the centre of the stress is the centre of
the system of parallel forces of which the stress may be
regarded as consisting. Hence, in this special case, if the
surface consist of small portions of areas s^, s,, etc., at
which the intensities of the stress are p^, f^, etc., if the
distances of s-^, s^, etc., from any plane are A^, \, etc., and
if the distance from the same plane of the point of ap-
plication of the resultant (2ps, by 526) is H, we have by
472
If the distances of the centre of stress be determined
from any three intersecting planes, its position is com-
pletely specified.
529. Examples.
(1) Show that the centre of stress for any plane surface subjected
to a uniform stress is the centre of mass of the surface.
5=2p«A/Sp«=^SsA/joS3 = S«A/2s. [See 527, Ex. 2.]
(2) Find the centre of stress for a plane triangle, the stresses at
all points being uniform in direction and varying as the distances
of the points from a plane through one of the sides.
If the triangle be divided into narrow strips of equal width par-
allel to this side, the stress will be uniform over each strip. Hence
the centre of stress for each strip is its middle point, and that of
the whole triangle is on the line drawn from the middle point of
the above-mentioned side to the opposite angle. The resultant
stresses on strips equidistant from the middle point of this line
may easily be shown to be equal. Hence the middle point of this
line is the centre of stress for the triangle.
(3) Find the centre of stress on a parallelogram ABCD, the stress
at all points being uniform in direction and varying as their dis-
tance from a plane through AB.
If the parallelogram be divided into narrow strips of equal width
parallel to AB, the resultant stress on each will act at its middle
point and be proportional to its distance from the given plane, and
529] OF ELASTIC SOLIDS AND FLUIDS. 447
therefore to its distance from AB. Hence the resultant stresses on
the strips are proportional to the lengths of the portions of the strips
intercepted between straight lines drawn from G and D to H, the
middle point of AB ; and hence the centre of stress of the parallelo-
gram coincides with the centre of mass of the triangle BCD.
(4) Find the centre of stress for any plane surface, the stresses at
its various points being parallel and proportional to their distances
from any given plane.
With the symbols of 528 we^ave ^j = Mj, p^ = kh^, etc. Hence
Sp«A/Sp« = ■S.sh^l'S.gh.
The determination of the value of ^sh'/Ssh in special cases requires
in general the application of the Integral Calculus.
(5) Find the centre of stress on a triangular plane ABC, the
stresses at all points being uniform in direction and proportional to
the distances of the points from a plane through C parallel to AB.
Let the triangle be divided into n narrow strips of equal width
parallel to AB. These may be treated as rectangles if n be very
great. If AB have the length a, and if 6 be the distance of C from
it, the areas of these rectangles in the order in which they occur
from C towards AB are ab/v?, Zab/rv', 3ab/n% etc. As they are very
narrow the distances of their centres of mass from the given plane,
if h is the distance of AB from it, may be taken to be hin, 2A/j7,
Zh/n, etc. Hence the distance of the centre of stress from the
given plane is (Ex. 4)
ab/i'ln* + 2^abk^/n*' + etc. + n^abh?/ni^ _^ . (lH2S + etc. + w3)/ji«
abhln? + Z^abAjn' + etc. + m'abh/n.^ ' (1^ + 2^ + etc. + n')ln/>
=3A/4,
since n is indefinitely great. And it is obviously in the line joining
with the middle point of AB.
(6) Find the distance from a given plane of the centre of stress
on a triangle ABO, the point A being in the given plane and the
points B and C at distances h^ and h^ from it, the stress at any
point being normal and proportional to the distance of the point
from the given plane. [Let BO meet the given plane in B. Then
the resultant stresses on AGD and ABD may be determined in
terms of the length ot AD and the inclination of the plane of ABO
448 DYNAMICS [529
to the given plane, and their centres of stress may be determined
by Ex. 2. Then the resultant stresses and the centres of stress on
the whole ABD and the part ACIi being known, the centre of
stress of the part ABC may be readily determined.]
Ans. (V+^^2+V)/2(^i + ^2)-
(7) Find the centre of stress on a parallelogram A BCD, the
stress at any point being normal and proportional to its distance
from a given plane which is parallel to the sides AB and CD, and
distant Aj and h^ from them respectively.
Ans. ■i{h^ + kJi^+h^lZ{k^ + h^.
530. Resolution of Stress. — A stress being in general
oblique to the surface across which it acts, may be re-
solved into tangential and normal components. For each
of the forces acting at points, of which it may be con-
sidered to consist, may be so resolved.
A stress which is normal to the surface across which it
acts is often called a longitudinal stress. One which has
the inclination zero is called a tangential or shearing
stress.
531. Specification of Stress. — The magnitudes and direc-
tions of the stresses at a point across any three plane sur-
faces through the point being given, the stress across any
other plane through the point can be determined.
First, let the stress throughout the body be homoge-
neous, and let there be no external
forces. Let be the given point,
and Ox, Oy, and Oz the intersec-
tions of the three planes through
0; and let any fourth plane in-
tersect these planes in AB, BG,
GA. Then the tetrahedron OABG
being in equilibrium under the re-
sultant stresses on its four faces,
and those on the three faces OAB, OBG, OGA being
known, the magnitude and direction of that on ABG may
532]
OF ELASTIC SOLIDS AND FLUIDS.
449
be determined by 500 ; and the area ABC being known,
the stress at any point of ABG, and consequently the
stress at 0, across a plane parallel to ABC becomes known.
532. It is usually convenient to take rectangular planes
as planes of reference.
Let OABG be a tetrahedron whose faces OAB, OBG,
OCA are at right angles to one another ; and let the
normal to the plane ABC have the direction cosines I, m,
n relative to the x, y, z axes respectively. Let the stress
at across OAB (the xy planle) have components T, 8,
R in the directions of Ox, Oy, Oz respectively, that across
OBC (the yz plane) components P, U', T', and that across
OAC (the xz plane) components U, Q, 8', in the same
directions respectively. Also let Fx, Fy, Fz be the com-
ponents in these directions of the stress F eAj across a
plane parallel to ABG, and therefore across ABC. Then
the tetrahedron is in equilibrium under forces equal to
the products of these various stresses into the areas of
the faces across which they act, and acting (529, Ex. 1)
at the centres of mass of the faces. Hence (500)
F^ . ABC=P . OBC+U. OAG+T . OAB,
2f
450
DYNAMICS
[532
ABC, OBG, etc., standing for the areas of the faces. Now
OBG, 0^(7, and OAB are the projections of ABC on the
yz, xz, and xy planes respectively. Hence (see 173)
OBG=ABV.l; OAC=ABC.m; and OAB = ABG . n.
Hence
Similarly
and
F„=Pl+Um+Tn.
Fy=U'l+Qm+8n,
F^=T'l+S'm+Rn.
533. It is also necessary for equilibrium (500) that the
sum of the moments of the acting forces about Ox, Oy, Oz
should be equal to zero. The relations between the com-
ponents of the stresses, which are obtained by applying
this condition, however, may be more easily obtained by
considering the equilibrium of a cube of which Ox, Oy, Oz
aj-e adjacent edges. Let OD, OE, OF be three faces of
such a cube. The component stresses at all points of
these faces are the same as at all points of the correspond-
ing faces of the tetrahedron ; and the component stresses
at all points of the faces opposite to OD, OE, OF are
equal and opposite to those on OB, OE, OF respectively.
Let the component stress equal and opposite to P on the
536] OF ELASTIC SOLIDS AND FLUIDS. 451
face opposite to OE be called p, and let the stresses simi-
larly related to Q, R, etc., be called q, r, etc. If the cube
be one of unit edge, the components of the resultant
stresses on its faces are P, Q, R, etc., p, q, r, etc., and
the points of application of these component forces are
the centres of the faces. Hence, equating to zero the sum
of the moments about Ox of all the forces acting on the
cube, and noting that P, T, U, p, t, u, which are parallel
to Ox, and 8 and >S' which intersect it, have no moments
about it, that R and r, Q and q, T and If, and U' and u'
have equal and opposite moments about Ox, and that s and
s' are equidistant from it and have moments of opposite
sign about it, we obtain s = s', and therefore
Similarly we jBnd T=T',
and V=U'-
534. Substituting these values of S', T, U', in the ex-
pressions of 532 for Fx, Fy, F^, we have
F^=m-\-'Um-\-Tn,
Fy=Ul+Qm+8n,
F,=Tl+8m+Rn.
535. Hence if P, Q, 5, 8, T, U are known, the stress
at across any surface through is known. The com-
plete specification of the stress at a point requires then
only these six numerical data. P, Q, and R are the com-
ponent stresses at 0, normal to the yz, xz, and xy planes
respectively. 8 is the tangential or shearing stress either
on the xy plane parallel to the y axis, or on the xz plane
parallel to the z axis ; T, that on the xy plane parallel to
the X axis, or on the zy -plane parallel to the 2: axis; TJ,
that on the xz plane parallel to the x axis, or on the yz
plane parallel to the y axis.
536. Secondly (531), if the stress is not homogeneous the
same result may be obtained, provided the tetrahedron.
452
DYNAMICS
[536
and cube above be taken indefinitely small. For in that
case the stresses at across the planes of the faces may-
be taken to be the stresses at all points of the faces.
537. The above conclusions (534-5) hold also if the body
is acted upon by external forces. Such forces must either
be forces acting on the outer surface of the body, or
forces, such as gravitational attraction, acting throughout
the mass. Forces acting at the outer surface of the body
act only on tetrahedra or cubes having faces in the bound-
ing surface, and they constitute the stresses on those
faces. Forces acting throughout the mass of the body
are proportional to the mass acted upon. Hence such of
these forces as act on the tetrahedron or cube are pro-
portional to its volume. The stresses on its faces are
proportional to the areas of these faces. The former are
therefore proportional to the cubes, and the latter to the
squares of any edge. Hence, if the tetrahedron or cube
be gradually diminished, the external forces diminish
more rapidly than the stresses ; and if it be made inde-
finitely small, the external forces become indefinitely small
relatively to the stresses, and may therefore be neglected.
538. Resolution of a Tangential Stress into Longi-
tudinal Stresses. — Let a body
be subjected to a tension
P in a given direction, and a
pressure of the same intensity
in a perpendicular direction,
the state of stress being homo-
geneous. And let ABDG be a
section of a cube of unit edge,
with its faces normal to the
directions of the tension and
the pressure, through their cen-
tral points. Then the resultants
of these stresses on the faces of
the cube may be considered as acting at the middle points
p
i
»
B
— ^
/
P
(
c
\
)
541] OF ELASTIC SOLIDS AND FLUIDS. 453
of the sides of ABDG and as having the magnitudes P.
The triangle AGB, or rather the triangular prism of
which AGB is a section, being in equilibrium under the
two forces P, and the resultant stress on GB, this resul-
tant stress must be equal and opposite to the resultant of
the two forces P, on AB and AG. Now in a direction
normal to GB, these forces have equal and opposite com-
ponents, and in the direction of GB each has a component
P cos 45°. Hence the resultant stress on GB must be in
the direction BG, and of the magnitude IP cos 45°. Now
the area of the section of the cube through GB perpen-
dicular to ABBG, which is the surface on which this
stress acts, has the area 1/cos 45°. Hence the intensity
of the stress on GB is 2P cos^ 45° or P.
Hence a tension parallel to one line, and an equal pres-
sure parallel to any line at right angles to it, are together
equivalent to a shearing stress of the same value on planes
cutting these directions at angles of 45°. (Compare 276.)
The directions of the pressure and tension may be called
the axes of the shearing stress.
539. It follows that since a stress at any point of a
body may be completely specified in terms of longitudinal
and shearing stresses, it may also be completely specified
in terms of longitudinal stresses alone.
540. Relation of Stress to Strain. — In considering the
detei-mination of the strain produced in a body when sub-
jected to given stresses, we must restrict ourselves to the
simple case in which the body is homogeneous, isotropic,
and perfectly elastic.
541. A body is said to be ho7nogeneous provided any
two equal, similar and similarly situated parts of it are
not distinguishable from one another by any difference
in quality. Probably no bodies perfectly fulfil this con-
dition without limit as to the smallness of the parts. But
454 DYNAMICS [541
many bodies are so nearly homogeneous that their hetero-
geneity eludes observation.
542. A homogeneous body is said to be isotropic, when
any two equal and similar portions of it, whether simi-
larly situated or not, are not distinguishable from one
another, or, in other words, when it has the same qualities
in all directions. A body which exhibits diflferences of
quality in different directions is said to be ceolotropic.
A body may be isotropic with respect to some qualities,
and geolotropic with respect to others. We have to do
with isotropy only with respect to the relations of stress
to strain.
543. A body is said to be elastic, provided (1) the ap-
plication of force is required to produce a change in its
shape or its bulk; and (2) a continued application of
force is necessary to maintain the change, in which case
it will return towards its initial shape or bulk when the
applied force is removed.
A body is said to be perfectly elastic for a strain of a
given kind, provided the, same application of force is re-
quisite to maintain the given strain as to produce it, in
which case it will obviously return to its initial configu-
ration when the stress is removed.
544. Probably no natural bodies fulfil this condition of
perfect elasticity, unless in producing strains in them care
be taken to keep them at constant temperature. For in
all bodies the stress required to maintain a given strain
is found to vary with temperature ; and we know from
Thermodynamics that consequently a change of configu-
ration must be accompanied by a change of temperature.
545. In all bodies it is found that the amount by which
the stress required to produce a strain exceeds that re-
548] OF ELASTIC SOLIDS AND FLUIDS. 455
quired to maintain it, is greater than the amount due
merely to this change of temperature ; and the difference
between these amounts is found to depend upon the
rapidity with which the change of configuration is pro-
duced. Thus the relative motion of the parts of a body
are resisted in the same way as the relative motion of
different bodies in contact ; and bodies are therefore said
to exhibit molecular friction, or as it is called viscosity.
Even a perfectly elastic body will not therefore appear
to be perfectly elastic unless its changes of configuration
are carried out with infinite slowness.
546. For most bodies, and for most kinds of strain,
there are limiting values of the stress by which a strain
of a given kind is produced, within which the elasticity
for that kind of strain is perfect, and beyond which the
elasticity is imperfect. Such limiting value of the stress
is called the limit of perfect elasticity for that kind of
strain.
547. All bodies exhibit some degree of elasticity of
volume. If a body possess any degree of elasticity of
shape, it is called a solid. If a body possess no degree of
elasticity of shape, it is called a flv/id.
548. That a body may be elastically isotropic, i.e.,
isotropic so far as the relation of stress to strain is con-
cerned, it must obviously satisfy two conditions: — (1)
Any spherical portion of it must, if subjected to a uniform
normal pressure or tension over its whole surface, undergo
no deformation, the compression or dilatation produced
being the same in all directions ; (2) Any cubical portion
of it, subjected to shearing stresses on the planes of its
faces, must undergo distortion or shear ; and the amount
of the shear must be the same to whatever side of any face
the shearing stress is parallel.
456 DYNAMICS [549
549. Hence the relation of stress to strain in a perfectly
elastic homogeneous isotropic body is completely defined
if we know (1) the ratio of the intensity of the stress,
uniform in all directions, to the dilatation or condensation
(266) which is produced by it ; and (2) the ratio of the inten-
sity of the shearing stress to the amount of the shear pro-
duced by it. The former of these ratios is called the
resistance to compression or the elasticity of volume, the
latter the rigidity or the elasticity of figure or form.
The former may be denoted by the symbol k, the latter
by the symbol n.
550. Did we know the laws of the forces with which
the particles of bodies act upon one another when in close
proximity, and the distribution of the particles in the
body, it would be possible, by the aid of the laws of
motion, to determine the values of the elasticities of figure
and volume for strains of different magnitudes, in the case
of different bodies, and in the case of the same body in
different physical states. In our ignorance of the laws
of these forces, however, we find it necessary to have re-
course to experiment.
551. Statics of Elastic Solids. — Hooke's Law gives us
the necessary experimental basis for the study of the
strains of elastic solids. Hooke expressed the law as
follows : " [ft tensio sic vis ; That is. The Power of any
Spring is in the same proportion with the tension there-
of: That is, if one power stretch or bend it one space,
two will bend it two, and three will bend it three, and
so forward." In modern phraseology it takes the follow-
ing form : Strain is proportional to stress. This law
has been subjected to the most minutely accurate experi-
mental tests, and the simple proportionality of stress to
strain is found to hold in the case of all solids for sufllcieutly
small strains, and in the case of metals and hard solids
{i.e., solids in which the stress applied, if maintained,
552] OF ELASTIC SOLIDS AND FLUIDS. 457
does not produce a continually increasing strain) for all
strains within the limits of perfect elasticity.
The strains, by the investigation of which Hooke's law
has been established, i.viz., the stretching of wires by
appended weights, the compression of rods, the flexure
of beams, the extension of spiral springs, the torsion of
wires, etc., are all more or less complex strains, involving
in most cases both change of volume and change of form.
The constancy of the ratio of stress to strain, within the
limits of perfect elasticity, in strains involving both
change of form and change of volume, warrants us in
holding that within the same limits the elasticity of figure
and the elasticity of volume must be constant also.
552. Moduluses of Elasticity. — A modulus of elasticity
is the ratio of the intensity of a stress to- the magnitude
of the strain which it produces. Thus the elasticity of
figure (n) and the elasticity of volume (k) are moduluses
of elasticity. The elasticity of figure is often called
therefore the mo(hblus of rigidity (or of siTnple rigidity),
and the elasticity of volume the modulus of bulk elas-
ticity. The reciprocal of the latter is called the com-
pressibility of the body.
Young's modulus, or the modulus of simple longi-
tudinal stress, is the ratio of the intensity of the stress
applied at the end of a wire or rod in the direction of its
length to the increase or diminution which each unit of
its length undergoes, the strain being one within the
limits of perfect elasticity. The extension of a wire or
rod by longitudinal stress involves change of both volume
and form. Hence Young's modulus may be expressed in
terms of k and n.
A modulus of elasticity, being the ratio of a stress to a
strain, has the same dimensions as a stress ; for a strain
is the ratio of two quantities of the same kind, two
lengths, for example, or two volumes, and has therefore
458 DYNAMICS [552
no dimensions. The dimensions of a modulus of elasticity
are thus [M][L]-XT]-\ The value of such a modulus
expressed in any one system of units may thus re?idily
be reduced to any other system of units. Moduluses
are usually expressed in gravitational measure, in pounds
(i.e., pounds-weight) per square inch, e.g., or in grammes
(i.e., grammes-weight) per square centimetre.
In the measurement of moduluses however a special
unit of force is frequently employed, viz., the weight of
unit of volume of the substance to which the modulus
applies. The value of the modulus thus expressed is to
be obtained from its value expressed as above in ordinary
units of stress by dividing by the weight of unit volume
of the substance, i.e. (304), by the product of the specific
gravity of the, substance into the weight of the unit
volume of water at the standard temperature. Thus,
if a modulus be expressed in pounds per square inch, its
value in terms of the special unit of force is obtained bj'
dividing by the product of the specific gravity of the
substance into the weight of a cubic inch of water, which
in gravitational units is equal to the density of water in
pounds per cubic inch. If the modulus be expressed in
grammes per square centimetre, its value has to be
divided only by the specific gravity of the substance,
for the density of water in grammes per cubic centimetre
may be taken to be unity.
The dimensions of " weight of unit volume " being
[-F'][F]-i (where [F] and [F] are the magnitudes of the
units of force and volume respectively), and therefore
[ilf][ii]'"^[2^"^, those of moduluse's expressed in terms
of the weight of unit volume as unit of force are
[M][L]--'[T]-y[M][L]-^[T]-^ or [L]. The modulus thus
expressed is therefore a length, and its value is there-
fore usually called the "length of the modulus." Thus
the value of a modulus obtained by dividing its value
in pounds per square inch by the product of the specific
553] OF ELASTIC SOLIDS AND FLUIDS. 459
gravity of the substance into the density of water in
pounds per cubic inch, is the length of the modulus in
inches.
The term modulus is also applied to the following
ratios, though they are not the ratios of stresses to
strains : —
The modulus of torsion of a rod or wire is the ratio of
the couple applied at one end (the other end being fixed)
to the torsion produced per unit length of the wire.
The modulus of flexural rigidity, in any plane, of a
rod or beam, slightly bent in that plane, is the ratio of
the couple producing the curvature to the curvature
thereby produced.
The dimensions of the modulus of torsion are obviously
\M\{Lf{Ty^; those of the modulus of flexural rigidity
the same.
553. Examples.
(1) The modulus of rigidity of a piece of glass is 245 x 10' grammes
per sq. cm. Express it (a) in kilogrammes per sq. mm. ; (6) in
absolute C.G.S. units ; and (c) in pounds per sq. in.
Ans. (a) 2,450 ; (J) 240 x W ; (c) 3-48 x 10«.
(2) The modulus of bulk-elasticity for steel is 1,841 x 10' dynes
per sq. cm. Show that its value in grammes per sq. cm. is
1,876 X 10', and in poundals per sq. ft. 1,237 x 10^.
(3) Young's modulus for lead (specific gravity = 11 "215) being
177 X 10' grammes per sq. cm., show that the length of the
modulus is 15'78 x 10' cm.
(4) The length of Yoimg's modulus for iron (specific gravity = 7"5)
being 9x10' feet, show that its value in grammes per sq. cm. is
2,057 x 10', and in pounds per sq. ft. 4,218 x 10'. (A cubic foot of
water weighs 1000 oz. approximately.)'
(5) The modulus of torsion of a certain wire has the value
460
DYNAMICS
[553
12 X 10* in the gravitational C.G.S. system,
the absolute ft.-lb.-sec. system.
Ans. 9166.
Knd its value in
554. Strain due to Longitudinal Stress. — ^As the stress
at any point of a body may (539) be completely specified
in terms of simple longitudinal stresses, the determination
of the strain produced by any given stress requires only
that we should determine the strain produced by a simple
longitudinal stress.— Let ^G be a unit cube of a body
P subjected to a simple longi-
tudinal stress, of intensity P,
normal to the faces ABGD and
EFOH. We may obviously
apply to each of the other
faces two equal and opposite
normal stresses of the inten-
sity P/3. (Each arrow-head
in the figure denotes a stress
of the intensity P/8.) Then
it is evident that the simple
longitudinal stress P is equi-
valent to a uniform dilating
tension P/3, together with two
distorting stresses (538), each
equal to P/3 and having one
axis in the direction of the
simple longitudinal stress, their other axes being at right
angles to it and to one another. Hence (549) the efi'ect
of the simple longitudinal stress P will be a uniform
cubical dilatation of the amount (per unit of volume)
PjZh, together with two shears, each of the amount
P/Sri and having one axis in the direction of P, their
other axes being perpendicular to it and to one another.
Each of these shears, if small, is (276) equivalent to a
positive elongation equal to P/Qn in the direction of P
and a negative elongation of the same magnitude in the
direction of the other axis. Also the cubical dilatation
555] OF ELASTIC SOLIDS AND FLUIDS. 461
P/S/c is (266) equivalent to an elongation the same in all
directions and equal to P/9h. Hence the effect produced
by P is a positive elongation in its own direction equal
to
P/91c+P/Sn or P(2k+n}/9hn,
and a positive elongation equal to
P/9k-P/8n or P{2n-3k)/18kn,
in each of two perpendicular directions at right angles to
one another, and therefore in all directions at right angles
to that of P.
555. Stress required for Longitudinal Strain. — Simi-
larly, as any strain may (279) be specified in terms of
simple longitudinal strains, the determination of the stress
required to produce a given strain requires only that we
should determine the stress required to produce a simple
longitudinal strain.
By 277 (Ex. 1) a small simple elongation e is equivalent
to a cubical dilatation e (due to elongations e/3 uniform
in all directions), together with two shears, each of the
amount 2e/3, having the direction of the given simple
elongation as major axis or axis of positive elongation,
and having as other axes lines perpendicular to the
direction of the elongation and to one another. For the
production of the cubical dilatation e a tension he, uniform
in all directions, is necessary. For the production of
each of the shears (538) a tension in the direction of the
elongation, and of the intensity 2e7i/3,. together with a
pressure of the same intensity in a perpendicular direction
is necessary, the pressures required for the two shears
being perpendicular to one another. Hence the elonga-
tion e requires altogether a tension in the direction of
the elongation of the intensity (k+4!n/3)e, and tensions
of the intensity {k—2n/S)e in two directions perpen-
dicular to that of the elongation and to one another.
462 DYNAMICS [555
and therefore in all directions perpendicular to that of
the elongation.
556. The above results are sufficient to enable us to
solve a few important problems on the strains produced
in elastic solids when subjected to given stresses, and
on the stresses required to produce or maintain in them
given strains.
Exairnples.
(1) A rod, bar, or wire is subjected to equal and opposite forces
acting at its ends in the direction of its length. Find the ratio
(called Poisson's ratio) of the linear contraction it undergoes
laterally to the elongation produced in the direction of its length.
Ans. Obviously from 554, (3^-2?i)/2(3A + n).
(2) Find in Ex. (1) the diminution, per unit area, of the cross
section of the rod, P being the intensity of the stress applied at
the ends.
Ans. P{3k-2n)l9hi.
(3) Show that in Ex. (1) the dilatation per unit volume is FjSk,
P being the intensity of the stresses at the ends of the rod.
(4) Express Young's modulus in terms of the moduluses of bulk-
elasticity and of rigidity.
The stress P applied at the end of a rod or wire in the direction
of its length will (554) produce an elongation per unit of length of
P{3k+n)l9i:n. Hence Young's modulus, the ratio of this stress to
the elongation produced, is equal to 9knl{3i:+n).
(5) Show that in the extension of a band of India-rubber, for
which ^ is large in comparison with n, the area of the cross-section
is diminished in nearly the same proportion as that in which the
band is lengthened, and that there is therefore but little change
of volume.
(6) Find (a) the stress produced at any point in a circular cylinder
of length I, one end of which is fixed while the other is twisted
558] OF ELASTIC SOLIDS AND FLUIDS. 463
through an angle 6, and (6) the moment of the couple which must
be applied at the free end of the cylinder to maintain the torsion.
(a) By 277,. Ex. (3), the cylinder is, at every point distant r
from the axis, subjected to a shear whose plane is perpendicular to
a plane through the point and the axis, and is parallel to the axis,
whose direction is normal to the plane containing the point and the
axis, and whose amount is 6rjl. Hence the stress at any point is a
shearing stress of the intensity nBrjl, on a plane normal to the axis
and in a direction perpendicular to the plane through the axis and
the given point.
(6) If the normal section at the end of the cylinder be divided
into an indefinitely large number of indefinitely small portions of
areas «i, s^, etc., distant r^, r^ etc., from the axis, the resultant
shearing stresses on them will be nBr^SiJl, nBr^^jl, etc. The
moments of these resultants about the axis will be nBr-^SiJl,
n0r^S2ll, etc. Hence, if T is the moment of the couple which
must be applied at the free end to maintain the given torsion,
T= n0ri\jl + nBr^Sijl + etc. = ^ndrhjl = {nejDSsr'.
Now Ssr' is (486) the moment of inertia of a uniform thin lamina
of the shape and size of the section of the cylinder and (304) of sur-
face density unity (called for shortness the moment of inertia of the
section), about an axis through its centre perpendicular to its plane,
and (490, Ex. 11) if a is the radius of the cylinder, is equal to n-a*/2.
Hence T=nSira,*l'il.
Hence also the torsion produced in a wire is directly proportional
to the twisting couple and to the length of the wire, and inversely
proportional to the rigidity and to the fourth power of the radius.
The proportionality of the angle of torsion to the twisting couple
was discovered experimentally by Coulomb, and is called Coulomb's
law.
(7) Express the modulus of torsion of a wire (552) in terms of its
dimensions and its rigidity.
Ans. nwa*i2, a being the radius of the wire.
(8) A uniform straight beam, with one end fixed, is slightly bent
by a force F applied at the other end normally to its length and in
464 DYNAMICS [556
the plane of bending, F being so great that the weight of the beam
may be neglected. Find the flexural rigidity (552) of the beam in
the plane of bending.
Since the beam is uniform, and is but slightly bent, the strain
produced may be taken to be that of 277, Ex. 4. — Let AECE' be
any transverse section of the beam. Then the part of the beam
between this section and the free end is in
equilibrium under the force F, the normal
stress over AECE', due to the longitudinal
strain, and the shearing stress over A ECE',
due to the shearing strain, to which the
beam is subjected. Let EM be the inter-
section with AECE' of the neutral surface.
Then at any point Q, distant d from EE,
there is a longitudinal strain in a direction
normal to AECE', the elongation being
dip, where p is the radius of curvature of longitudinal lines in the
neutral surface and therefore, since the bending is slight, of all
longitudinal lines. Hence, if S is the intensity of the longitudinal
stress at O, and M is Young's, modulus for the beam (552),
M=S\{dlf), and therefore S=Mdlp. If s is an indefinitely small
area surrounding O, the resultant stress on this area is Msdjp. The
moment of this resultant stress about EE' is therefore Msd^jp.
Now the whole area AECE' may be divided into an indefinitely
large number of indefinitely small portions. Hence the moment
about EE' of the normal stress over the whole surface AECE' is
2(Msd^/p) = {Mlp)'Ssd^,
the summation applying to all the small areas into which AECE' is'
divided. Now 2rf jg (486 and 556, Ex. 6) the moment of inertia
of the surface AECE' about EE'. Calling this /, we find the
moment about EE' of the normal stress on AECE' equal to MI/ p.
The shearing stress on ^^C^' being tangential has no moment
about EE'.
If the distance from AECE of the free end of the beam be S, the
moment of i^ about EE' is Fs.
The portion of the beam between A ECE' and the free end is
556] OF ELASTIC SOLIDS AND FLUIDS. 465
thus in equilibrium under the two moments Fi and MIlo. Hence
(500)
FS=MIIp, and FSp=MI.
Now 1/p is the curvature of the beam, and therefore Fdp is the
flexural rigidity of the beam in the plane of bending.
Hence the flexural rigidity of a beam in the plane of bending is
the product of Young's modulus for the beam into the moment of
inertia of a transverse section about the line in which this section
.intersects the neutral surface.
We must therefore determine the position in the beam of the
neutral surface. We have seen that, s being any small portion of
a transverse section, the resultant stress on it noi'mal to the trans-
verse section has the magnitude J^sd/p. Hence the resultant normal
stress over the whole section is
:2Msdlp={Mlp)I,sd.
Now the bending being slight, the direction of this resultant longi-
tudinal stress is perpendicular to the directions of the other acting
forc.es. Hence for equilibrium this resultant stress must be zero,
and therefore 2sd=0. Hence (403) the line FE", distant d from
the little area s, passes through a point which is the centre of mass
of the section AECE' (527, Ex. 2), and therefore the neutral surface
is the surface passing through the centres of mass of the transverse
sections of the beam, and normal to the plane of bending. (That
line of the neutral surface which passes through the centres of mass
of the sections of the beam is called the elastic central line.)
We can now calculate the flexural rigidity of a beam of given
section. Thus let the transverse section be rectangular, its sides
being a and b. Then (490, Ex. 4) the moment of inertia of a trans-
verse section about an axis parallel to the sides a, in its plane, and
through its centre of mass, is ah^j\% Hence the flexural rigidity in
a plane normal to the sides a is Mab^/lZ, where M is Young's
Modulus for the beam.
(9) A uniform straight horizontal beam of length Z has one end
fixed, and is slightly bent in a vertical plane by the weight F oi a.
2g
466
DYNAMICS
[556
body attached to the other end. Find the distance through which
the free end "will be lowered.
Let the unstrained beam be divided
into an indefinitely large number of
transverse slices of thickness t, and let
abda be one of these slices in the
^ strained state. The bending being
slight the transverse sections will in-
tersect one another in a horizontal line
vertically below the fixed end of the
beam. Let this line intersect the plane
of the diagram in 0, and let 6 be the
inclination of ac to bd. Let ak and bl,
tangents at a and b respectively, inter-
sect a vertical line through Bini: and I
respectively. Then M is the lowering
of B due to the strain of abdo. The
whole lowering of B will be the sum of the amounts of the lowering
due to the strains of the various slices. Hence, if M be denoted by X,
the total lowering of B will be SX. Now the angle between ai: and
bl is e. Hence, since the bending is slight, if the distance of the
slice abdc from the free end be denoted by S, we have
\=de.
Now (277, Ex. 4)
t=pe.
Hence
\=Stlp.
Also (556, Ex. 8)
MIIp=F8.
Hence
\=^FtS^jMl.
Hence also the total lowering of the free end
SX= I^iFtS'lMI) = (FlMI)-ZtS\
the summation extending to all the slices of thickness t into which
the beam of length L is divided. Now (486) S/2.
562. If the body be perfectly elastic, and if the strain
be conducted so slowly that no change of temperature
results, and no effect of viscosity is appreciable, then the
stresses called into play depend only on the configuration
of the body, and it thus constitutes a conservative system.
Hence the potential energy of the body in its final con-
figuration is equal to the work done in producing it.
563. If the body be perfectly elastic, and if the strain
472 DYIfAMICS [563
be not effected with infinite slowness, the stresses at the
various stages of the strain are not dependent wholly
upon the configuration, but depend also upon the varying
temperature and upon the viscosity. Hence in this case
the body does not behave as a conservative system, and
the final potential energy is less than the work done in
producing the change of configuration, the difference
being the amount expended in the production of heat.
564. If the body be not perfectly elastic, then, even if
the change of configuration be effected with infinite slow-
ness, the stress required to produce a strain is not equal
to that required to maintain it. Hence in this case also
the body does not behave as a conservative system, and
the final potential energy is less than the work done.
565. The potential energy of a body strained to the
extreme limit of perfect elasticity is called the resilience
of the body for that -kind of strain. It is usually mea-
sured in gravitational units, and expressed per unit mass
of the body. It is obvious that the resilience of a body
thus expressed is equal to the .height to which the body
would be lifted if an amount of work equal to the resi-
lience were done in lifting it. The term resilience is also
used by some writers as synonymous with elasticity.
566. Statics of FVwids {Hydrostatics). — A fluid is a
body which possesses no degree of elasticity of shape, i.e.,
its shape may be changed by a stress of any magnitude
however small, and no stress is required to maintain the
strain thus produced, the body exhibiting no tendency to
return to its initial shape when the distorting stress is
removed. In consequence of the viscosity of fluids how-
ever, a flnite stress is necessary to produce a change of
shape, if the change is to be effected with finite rapidity.
567. All fluids are perfectly elastic for condensation
strains. But they (fiffer greatly in compressibility.
569] OF ELASTIC SOLIDS AND FLUIDS. 473
Liquids are fluids whose compressibility is small ; gases,
fluids whose compressibility is great.
The compressibility of most liquids is so small that the
properties of the ideal liquid, a liquid of constant density,
are approximately those of many real liquids. Hooke's
law applies to the condensation of liquids up to the
highest pressures to which they have been subjected. In
discussing liquids, however, we shall assume their density
to be invariable.
The relation of the pressure to the volume of a given
mass of gas kept at constant temperature is approximately
expressed in Boyle's law, which states that the pressure
is inversely proportional to the volume, and therefore
directly proportional to the density. All gases at suffi-
ciently high temperatures follow Boyle's law with con-
siderable accuracy through extensive ranges of pressure.
But the lower their temperature the greater their devia-
tion from it. We may take as the ideal gas one which
follows this law, and in dealing with gases we assume it
to hold.
568. The distinctive property of fluids, that the main-
tenance of a shearing strain requires no stress, may ob-
viously be expressed thus : — Provided the parts of a fluid
body are not moving relatively to one another, the shear-
ing stresses at all points of the fluid are zero, or the
stresses at all points on all surfaces through the points
are normal.
569. Stresses in Fluids. — The stresses of fluid bodies
are usually pressures, though in certain cases they may
be tensions. The centre of stress in the case of a fluid is
thus usually spoken of as a centre of pressure.
The stress throughout a fluid, which is in equilibrium
and is not acted upon by external forces throughout its
mass, is homogeneous (522). For (1) any hemispherical por-
474 DYNAMICS [569
tion of it is in equilibrium ; and the pressures on the small
portions into which, its curved surface may be divided
being all normal to these portions, and therefore passing
through the centre of the sphere, their resultant also
passes through that point. Hence also the resultant of
the pressure on the plane surface passes through its centre ;
and the pressure over it is therefore uniform. Also (2)
any cylindrical portion, with ends normal to the axis of
the cylinder, is in equilibrium, and the pressures on the
curved portion of its surface being normal to the axis,
the pressures on its ends must be equal and opposite.
Hence the pressures on parallel surfaces are equal.
570. Specification of Fluid Fressv/re. — The stress
throughout a fluid in equilibrium and not acted on by
external forces being homogeneous, the results of 531-535
apply to the case of a fluid in this state. In the case
of a fluid however the equations of 534 are much sim-
plified by the absence of shearing stresses (568), and
thus become
F^ = Fl; Fy=Qm; F, = Rn,
whence F={FW+Q^m^+E^n'^)K
Now in the special case in which Z = m = «, we have
since F is now a fluid pressure and therefore a normal
stress,
Ftc — Fy = Fz;
and therefore in all cases,
P = Q=R.
Hence (7) F==P = Q=R.
K therefore a fluid be in equilibrium and be not acted
upon by external forces, the pressures at all points across
all surfaces through these points are the same.
If it be acted upon by external forces (537) the pressures
at any one point across all surfaces through that point are
574] OF ELASTIC SOLIDS AND FLUIDS. 475
the same, or, as it is usually put, the pressure at any
point is the same in all directions.
The pressure at any point of a fluid in equilibrium is
therefore specified by one numerical datum.
571. Uqual Transmission of Pressure. — If P and P'
be the pressures on the ends (normal to the axis) of a
cylinder of unit section, and of any length and in any
direction, and if F be the sum of the components in the
direction of the axis of the external forces acting on the
cylinder, then for equilibrium
P'-P = F.
Hence, if P be increased by any amount, P' becomes
increased by the same amount. This result is often
called the " Principle " of the equal transmission of
pressure.
572. Surfaces of Equal Pressure in a fluid acted upon
by external forces and in equilibrium are surfaces at all,
points of which the pressure is the same.
Lines of force in a fluid acted upon by external forces
are lines whose directions at all points coincide with the
directions of the resultant external force at those points.
573. Surfaces of equal pressure are at all points normal
to lines of force. For the resultant external force on a
small cylinder of the fluid with ends normal to its axis,
and so placed that the pressures on its ends are equal,
can have no component in the direction of the axis.
574. If the external forces are central forces (338), and
the various points of the fluid have therefore potentials
(355-6), the resultant force at a point must be normal to
the equipotential surface through the point (359). Hence
surfaces of equal pressure coincide with equipotential
surfaces.
476 DYNAMICS [575
575. In that case also (356) the resultant external
force on unit mass of the fluid at any point is equal to
the rate of change of potential per unit of distance in its
direction. Now, if the fluid between two surfaces of
equal pressure, indefinitely near one another, be divided
by lines of force into columns of equal section, the differ-
ences of pressure on the ends being the same for all, and
all being in equilibrium, the resultant external forces
acting on all must be the same. Let F he the resultant
external force on any column, in its mass, I its length and
Fand F'the potentials of its ends. Then^/m=(F'- F)/Z.
Hence, the difference of potential between the ends being
the same for all, the ratio of the mass to the length and
therefore of the mass to the volume must be the same
for all. And therefore surfaces of equal pressure are also
surfaces of equal density.
576. In the case of heavy fluids, the attraction of the
earth is the external force. Hence in that case level or
horizontal surfaces are surfaces of equal pressure.
The free surface of a heavy liquid in equilibrium, being
exposed to the pressure of the atmosphere, is therefore a
horizontal surface throughout the region in which the
pressure of the atmosphere has the same value.
577. Variation of the Pressure of Fluids acted upon
by External Forces. — Let F be the resultant external
force acting on each unit of volume of the fluid, in one of
the columns of 575, s being the area of either of its ends,
I its length, and P and P' the intensities of the pressures
on its ends. Then
{P'-P)s = Fls,
and (P'-P)ll = F.
Hence the resultant force on unit volume of the fluid is
equal to the rate of change of pressure in its direction per
unit of distance.
579] OF ELASTIC SOLIDS AND FLUIDS. 477
578. If the external forces are derivable from a
potential, we have also (356) V and Fbeing the potentials
at the ends of the column at which the pressures are P'
and P respectively, and p being the density.
Hence (P'-P) = (F~ "F)p.
If gravitational attraction is the only external force,
we have therefore, with the convention of 361, since the
external force is directed from the end of smaller to the
end of greater pressure,
F'-F = p{J'-Y).
Now in this case
Hence P'-P=pgl;
and therefore the rate at which pressure increases per
unit of distance in a direction normal to surfaces of
equal pressure in a heavy fluid is equal to pg.
579. In the case of liquids p is a constant. Let P„, P^,
Pj, etc., P be the pressures at a series of surfaces of equal
pressure indefinitely near, let l^, l^, etc., be the inter-
cepts between these surfaces of a line of force, and let the
surfaces whose pressures are P„ and P be so near that g
may be considered constant, then
P,-P„ = p5rZ^,P,-P, = /.flrZ,.etc.
Hence, if L be the length of the line of force extending
from any point of the surface whose pressure is P to that
of which the pressure is P„, we have by addition
P-Po = pg{h+h+^^) = P9L.
Gravitational attraction being the only external force
acting thi'oughout the mass of the fluid, the surfaces of
equal pressure are horizontal surfaces and the lines of
force are vertical lines. Hence the difference of pressure
478 DYNAMICS [579
between two points of a heavy liquid is equal to their
difference of level multiplied by pg, and therefoi^e to the
■wTeight of a column .of the liquid whose length is the
difference of level and .whose section is unity.
If n is the pressure of the atmosphere at the free, sur-
face of a heavy liquid, the pressure at any point at depth
L is thus TL+pgL, which may be written pg{L+L'), pro-
vided L' = JXfpg, i.e., provided L' is the length of a. column
of the liquid of unit section whose weight is equal to 11.
The determination of the resultants and centres of the
pressures on the surfaces of bodies immersed in heavy
liquids is of great practical importance. The reader will
find, on looking back to 527, Exs. 2-5, and 529, Eks. 2-7,
that examples of such determinations have already been
given in considering resultants and centres of stress.
580. In the case of gases kept at a constant tempera-
ture we have (567) p = kP, where A is a constant and p
the density of a gas at the point at which its pressure is
P. Hence
P'-P=icP(V'-V),
and P'=P[l+k{W-V)].
Let P„, Pj, Pg, etc., P be the pressures at a series of n+1
surfaces of equal pressure indefinitely near, and so chosen
that the differences of potential of neighbouring surfaces
are the same, and let F, V„ be the potentials of the sur-
faces whose pressures are P, P„. Then
P=Pll+k{V-r,)/nl
P,=Pll+kir-V,)/nl
= Pll + k(r-V,)/nf,
etc.,
P=Pll+k(V-V,)lnf..
581] OF ELASTIC SOLIDS AND FLUIDS. 479
Hence, if n be made indefinitely great, we have (392)
where e is the base of Napier's Logarithms.
Gravitational attraction being the only external force
acting throughout the mass of the gas, and the volume of
the gas under consideration being so small that g may be
considered constant, we have
r-r,= -gh,
where hia the height of the point whose potential is F
above that whose potential is Vq. Hence
It is obvious that since P = p/k, 1/k is equal to g times the
length of a c'olumn of the given gas of uniform density p
and of section unity, whose weight is equal to P. It is
therefore equal to g times the height which an atmosphere
of the gas would have if its density were the same
throughout its whole extent as at the earth's surface. This
height is consequently often called the "height of a
homogeneous atmosphere" or the "pressure-height" of
the given gas for the temperature to which the given
value of k applies. If this height be denoted by H, since
1/k = gH, we have
P=P,e-i-
The value of H for any gas depends only on its nature
and temperature and on the value of g. For dry
atmospheric air at 0° 0. in the latitude of Paris it is
7-990 X 10^ cm.
581. Archimedes' Princi/ple.—li. a body be wholly or
partially immersed in a heavy fluid, the resultant of the
pressure over its surface is a single force acting vertically
upwards through its centre 6f mass and equal to the
weight of the fluid displaced. For a portion of the fluid
having the same position, shape, and size as the given
480 DYNAMICS f581
body or the part of it which displaces fluid, would be in
equilibrium under its own weight and the resultant,
pressure on its surface, which, since the pressure at a
point of a heavy fluid varies only with its depth beneath
or height above any chosen level surface, must be the
same as the resultant pressure on the body.
582. Equilibrium of a Floating Body. — It follows,
from 581, that a body floating at the surface of a heavy
liquid will be in equilibrium provided (1) the centres of
mass of the body and of the displaced liquid are in a
vertical line, and (2) the weight of the body is equal to
that of the displaced liquid.
583. Stability of the Equilibriwin of a Floating Body.
— The general discussion of the stability of" the equilib-
rium of a floating body is beyond the scope of this book.
But in the important special case of a homogeneous rigid
cylinder, of any section, for angular displacements about
its axis, the condition of stability admits of simple ex-
pression. — Let ABO be a transverse section of such a
cylinder, through its centre of mass G; and let jE" be the
centre of mass of the portion beneath the surface 8S' of
the liquid, and therefore of the displaced liquid, in the
position of equilibrium, in which the line GE is obviously
vertical. Also let F be the centre of mass of jthe sub-
merged portion when the cylinder has been rotated
through a small angle about a longitudinal axis, M being
585], OF ELASTIC. SOLIDS AND FLUIDS. 481
the point in which a vertical line through F intersects
QE. Then the cylinder is acted upon by equal and
opposite vertical forces through G and /; and it is
obvious that if the point M be above Q these forces will
tend to diminish the angular displacement and to bring
the cylinder back to the positibn of equilibrium ; where-
as, if M be below Q, they will tend to increase the dis-
placement. In the former case therefore the equilibrium
is stable, in the latter unstable. The point M is called
the metacentre. The equilibrium is therefore stable,
provided the metacentre be above the centre of mass^
This result applies to the rolling of a ship so built and
laden that 0, E, and F are in the same plane.
584. Kinetics of Fluids (Hydrokinetics). — When the
parts of a fluid move relatively to one another, shearing
stresses make themselves manifest. If, e.g., a cylindrical
vessel, with its axis vertical, and containing a liquid, be
made to rotate uniformly about its axis, the liquid will
be found after a time to be rotating with the vessel, and
if th^ vessel be now brought to rest the motion of the
liquid gradually subsides. Hence any cylinder of the
liquid coaxial with the vessel is acted upon by stresses
having tangential components when the liquid outside it
is in motion. For otherwise that cylinder must remain
at rest or in uniform motion.
In many important practical cases however the effect
of these shearing stresses is small and may be neglected ;
and as the consideration of the motion of fluids exhibiting
tangential stresses is attended with great difficulty, we
restrict our attention to these cases.
585. If the stresses at a point of a moving fluid on all
planes through the point are normal, they have also the
same intensity.
For if we consider a tetrahedron, such as that of 532,'
2h
482 DYNAMICS [585
we have, as the equation of its motion in the direction of
Ox, using the symbols of 532,
P . OBG-Fl . ABC+X = md,
where X is the component of the resultant external force,
m the mass, and a the component acceleration of the
centre of mass in the x axis. Now X is proportional to
the mass, and therefore to the volume, of the tetrahedron,
If therefore (537) the tetrahedron be indefinitely small,
both X and m may be neglected relatively to P and F.
Also we have OBG=ABC. I. Hence P=F.
586, Equations of Motion. — The motion of a fluid
under given forces may be determined by applying the
general equations of the motion of extended bodies and
expressing in equations the conditions imposed by the
distinctive peculiarities of fluids. Of these equations
there are two. The first expresses the relation which
holds between the pressure and the density of the fluid.
In the case of a gas at constant temperature it is p = JcP;
and in that of a liquid, yo = const. The second is the
equation of continvAty which expresses in mathematical
language the general law that a fluid in motion is always
a continuous mass. The employment of these equations
however in the solution of problems is beyond the scope
of this book.
587. Steady Motion. — In general the velocity of the
fluid particles passing through a given point in space
varies with time. When at each point in space through
which fluid is passing the velocity of the fluid is constant
both in magnitude and direction, the motion is said to be
steady.
The paths of the particles of a fluid which is moving
steadily, are lines of motion, i.e., lines whose directions at
all points are the directions of the motion 6i the fluid at
those points. They are therefore called streavn lines.
S88] OF ELASTIC SOLIDS AND FLUIDS. 483
588. Equation of Energy. — We may obtain, as being
simple and important, the equation of energy applicable
to cases of the steady motion of liquids under external
forces which have a potential.
Consider a tube whose curved surface is bounded by
stream lines, and whose ends A and B are small and
normal to the stream lines. Let p be the pressure, v the
speed of the liquid, Fthe potential due to external forces,
and 8 the area of the section, at A ; and let p', v', V, s'
be the values of the same quantities at B, The masses
of liquid entering the tube at A and leaving it at B in
unit of time are pvs and pv's' respectively, and since the
liquid moves as a continuous mass and does not vary in
density, we have (the equation of continuity for this
case)
pvs = pv's' ;
and hence V8=v's'.
Unit mass entering the tube at A has the kinetic energy
1^12, the same mass leaving it at B the kinetic energy
v'^1'2,. Hence the excess of the amount of the kinetic
energy entering the tube at A over that leaving it at B
iu unit of time is pvs(v^ — v'^)/2. The potential energy of
unit mass at A is greater than that of unit mass at B
by V — V, if we adopt the definition of potential given
in 361. Hence the excess of the amount of the poten-
tial energy entering the tube at A over that leaving
it at B in unit of time is pvs{V'—V). Also, the work
done by the pressure at A on the liquid entering in unit
of time is pvs, and that done by the liquid leaving at B
in unit time against the pressure at B is p'v's'. Hence
the energy gained by the tube in unit of time on account
of the work done by the pressures at the ends is
pvs —p'v's' = (p —p')vs.
Now as the motion is steady the energy of the tube is
constant. Hence
484 . DYNAMICS [588.
f)Vs(v^-'V'^)l2+pvs(y'- V) + (p-p')vs = 0;
and p + p(vy2 -V) = p' +p(v'y2 - V) ;
or p+p(vy2-V) = C,
where G is a constant for the same stream line.
589. We may apply the above result to one important
hydrokinetic problem. Problems on the motion of fluids,
ev.en of liquids, in general require higher mathemati-
cal attainments than readers of this book are supposed to
JSccmnple.
A vessel is kept filled to a constant level with liquid, which
escapes through a small orifice in its wall. Knd the speed of
efflux.
In this case the flow of liquid soon becomes steady. Since the
upper surface is large relatively to the orifice, the speed of the
moving liquid there is small, and, if the orifice be suflioiently small,
may be neglected. The pressure at the upper surface is that of the
atmosphere II. If that surface be taken as the level of zero poten-
tial, V—0. Hence the above equation of energy for a point at the
upper surface on any chosen stream line reduces to
Let P be the pressure of the liquid at the orifice and v its speed.
Also, let the depth of the orifice below the upper surface of the
liquid be k. Then, at the orifice, V=gh. Hence, for a point of the
orifice on the above stream line
If the pressure at this point be taken to be that of the atmosphere,
we have therefore
^ .. v^='ig!i.
And if the pressures at all points of the orifice be taken to be equal
to that of the atmosphere, this equation would give us the speed
590] OF ELASTIC SOLIDS AND FLUIDS. 485
with. which all liquid particles leave the orifice. This result is
called Torricdli's Theorem.
Torricelli's Theorem cannot be applied to the calculation of the
rate of efflux, i.e., the amount of liquid escaping per unit, of time,
for two reasons : (1) The stream lines at the orifice are for the
most part not normal to it, for the jet diminishes in diameter from
the orifice outwards. Hence the v of the above formula is not the
value of the normal velocity of the liquid particles. (2) The
assumption that the pressure at all points of the orifice is equal to
that of the atmosphere is not well grounded. For, as the jet con-
tracts from within outwards, the speed of the liquid particles must
be increasing, and therefore the pressure of the liquid must be
diminishing, in that direction. The pressure in the interior of the
jet at the orifice must therefore be somewhat .greater than that of
the atmosphere.
At a short distance from the orifice the contraction of the jet
ceases, the section of the jet at which it ceases being called the
Vena Contrwita. Here the stream lines are normal to the trans-
verse section of the jet, and the pressure may thus be taken to be
the same at all points of the section and therefore to be that of the
atmosphere. Hence the speed of the liquid particles in passing
through the Vena Contracta wiU be (2ghy, where h' is the depth of
the Vena Contracta beneath the upper surface. Also, the liquid
particles are here moving normally to the Vena Contracta. Hence,
if (S is the area of the Vena Contracta and p the density of the
liquid, the rate of efflux is pS(2ffhy.
590. Work done dunng Strain. — As tangential stresses
exist in a fluid during the relative motion of its parts,
the expressions obtained (559) for the work done in an
elastic solid during a change of configuration apply also
to fluids.
Since work is done during the straining of a fluid, in
overcoming its viscosity, a fluid, like a solid, will behave
during a strain as a conservative system only if the strain
be effected with sufiicient slowness.
486 DYNAMICS. [590
Since a fluid in equilibrium exhibits no she9,ring
stresses, the work done against shearing stresses during a
strain has no result in the form of production of potential
energy.
In the case of liquids, on account of their incompressi-
bility, a strain involves no change of volume. Hence the
work done in producing a strain in their case has no
result in the form of potential energy. It is wholly ex-
pended in overcoming molecular friction and results only
in the production of heat. Hence Joule employed the
agitation of water as a means of determining the me-
chanical equivalent of heat, the water employed having,
after its agitation, the same potential energy as it had
before.
MISCELLANEOUS EXAMPLES.
(1) A point moves in a plane curve so that its distance, s feet
measured along the curve from its starting point, is represented by
the formula s=25+6t\ where t is the time in seconds reckoned
from the instant of starting. Knd (a) the mean speed between
the beginning of the 10th and the end of the 12th second ; (6)
the instantaneous speed at the end of the 10th second ; (c) the
mean rate of change of speed between the instant of starting and
the end of the 10th second ; (d) the instantaneous rate of change
of speed after any time.
Ans. (a) 126 ft. per sec; (6) 120 ft. per sec; (c) 12 ft.-per-sec.
per sec; (d) 12 ft.-per-sec per sec.
(2) The breadth between the rails of a certain railway is 4 ft. 8
in. Show that in a curve of 500 yds. radius the outer rail ought to
be raised about 2^ inches for trains travelling 30 mis. an hour, that
there may be no horizontal pressure on the rails.
(3) The velocity of a point moving in a given elliptic orbit is the
same at a certain point, whether it describe the orbit in a time t
when its acceleration is directed towards one focus, or in a time f
when its acceleration is directed towards the other focus. Show
that, if 2a is the length of the major axis, the focal distances will
be 2afl{l+t') and 2at/{t+t^.
(4) A large number of equal particles are fastened at unequal
intervals to a fine string and then collected into a heap at the edge
of a smooth horizontal table with the extreme one just hanging
488 KINEMATICS AND DYNAMICS.
over the edge. The intervals are such that the times between
successive particles being carried over the edge are equal. Prove
that if c„ be the interval between the «."• and (re + l)"" particles, and
v„ the velocity just after the (n+1)*^ particle is carried over,
c„/Ci=w„/»i = ra.
(5). Reduce 20 cm. per sec. to yards per hour.
Ans. 787-38.
(6) If a particle move on any smooth curve under the action
of any force, and if, at any point, F be the component of this force
normal to the curve and towards the concavity of the curve, the
reaction of the curve on the particle towards the concavity is equal
to mvyp-F, when p is the radius of curvature of the curve ^ind v
the speed of the particle.
(7) A uniform rod hangs horizontally supported by two equal
vertical strings, of length I, attached to its ends. It is twisted
horizontally through a very small angle so that its centre of mass
remains in the same vertical line, and is then let go. Find the time
of a complete (double) oscillation, neglecting the inertia of the
strings.
Ans. Sir ijljig.
(8) A point is moving with a simple harmonic motion of ampli-
tude a and period T. Show that, if d is its displacement from its
mean position after a time t, the epoch being $,
d=acos{ZirtlT+e).
(9) A straight staircase consists of stairs each 1 ft. wide and 6
in. high, A smooth particle is projected from a point on one of
the stairs near its edge and in the vertical plane perpendicular to
the edge of each stair. Find the velocity of projection that the
particle may strike the diiTerent stairs in succession at the same
distance from the edge, the coefficient of restitution being 0-5.
Ans. iJ^gjZ feet per second, inclined 45° to the horizon.
(10) The imit of rate of change of speed being a rate of change
of speed of 100 cm. -sec. units and the unit of time 1 min., show
that the unit of length is a length of 36 x 10* cm.
MISCELLANEOUS EXAMPLES. 489
(11) If a ball impiiige successively against two adjacent sides of
a rectangle, its velocity will be diminished in the ration of l:e,e
being the coefficient of restitution.
(12) Two uniform solid cylinders, of weights w and w', descend
from rest directly down the two faces of two smooth inclined
planes, of inclinations a and t' respectively, over the common
summit of which passes a thin inextensible string which goes under
and round the central transverse sections of the cylinders, to which
the ends of the strings are fastened. Find (a) the tension of the
^tring, and (b) how much it will have slid along the planes at the
end of any time t.
Ans. (a) wu/ (siua + sina')/3(w + 2»');
(6) gt^w sin a-iv' sin a')/2(w + w').
(13) A particle weighing xV lb. moves backwards and forwards
in a straight line 3 inches long with simple harmonic motion, 25
times per second. Find the force acting on it (a) at the end of the
range, and (6) at a point at one half the maximum distance from
the centre.
Ans. (a) 616-8... p lis.; (6) 308-4... pdls.
(14) A particle of mass m is suspended from two points in the
same horizontal line by two strings of equal length I (inclination
= o). One of the strings is suddenly cut. Find the initial change
of tension of the other string.
Ans. mg{2 cos^a — 1)/(2 cos a).
(15) A heavy smooth tetrahedron rests with three of its faces
against three fixed pegs and the fourth face horizontal. Prove
that the reactions of the pegs are as the areas of the faces on which
they are exerted.
(16) A point is moving with a uniform rate of change of speed
of 2 ft. -sec. units. Show that, if its initial speed is 3 ft. per sec,
the ratio of its final to its initial speed during the time required to
traverse 4 feet of its path is 5/3.
(IV) If particles are dropped from given heights upon a fixed
horizontal plane, the heights being inversely as the squares of the
coefficients of restitution, they all rise to the same height after
reflection.
490 KINEMATICS AND DYNAMICS.
(18) A uniform lever ACB, whose arms AC and BG are at right
angles to each other, is in equilibrium when ^10 is inclined at an
angle j3 to the horizon. If ^<7 be raised to a horizontal position, C
being fixed, find the angle through which it will fall.
Ans. 2/3.
(19) A particle of O'l grm. mass executes 512 simple harmonic
oscillations per second, the amplitude of the oscillations being 0*25
cm. Find the maximum value of the force exerted upon it.
Ans. 258,736-1... dynes.
(20) A rope hanging over a rough horizontal cylinder carries two
bodies. The mass of one is 20 lbs.; that of the other is m lbs.
(«i > 20). But the rope does not slip off the. cylinder, on account of
friction. If the coefficient of friction, when the rope is just on the
point of slipping, is 0'4, what is the value of m ?
Ans. 70-269 lbs.
(21) §'s displacement relative to P is n times as great as i"s
relative to 0, and they are inclined at an angle 6. Show that
if e < 7r/2, §'s displacement relative to increases with n, and that,
if 9>7r/'2, it decreases as n increases until m=-cosS, increasing
with n for greater values of n.
(22) A particle is projected from a point on an inclined plane and
after n rebounds returns to its point of projection. Prove that,
if o is the inclination of the plane, ;8 the angle between the direc-
tion of projection and the plane, and e the coefficient of restitution,
cotacotj3= ,
l^e
(23) The time of descent of a heavy particle sliding freely from
rest down a smooth inclined plane of given height varies as the
cosecant of the inclination.
(24) A chain, whose weight per unit length is equal to that of 1
lb., is to be stretched between two points in a horizontal line 800
ft. apart, so that the tension at the lowest point may be equal to
the weight of 1,600 lbs. Find (os) the length of chain required,
and (6) the depth of its lowest point below the points of suspen-
sion.
Ans. (a) 808-32 ft ; (6) 50-24 ft.
MISCELLANEOUS EXAMPLES. 491
(25) A point undergoes component displacements represented by
straight lines drawn from a point within a triangle to the angular
points. Show that its resultant displacement is the same as if it
had iindergone component displacements represented by lines drawn
from the same point to the points of bisection of the sides.
(26) On the sides of a right-angled triangle squares are described,
the square BODE on the hypothenuse being on the same side of
BC as the triangle, the squares CAFO, ABHK on GA, CB on the-
opposite side of each to the triangle. Prove that if forces repre-
sented by AB, BC, CA,BH, HK, KA, CD, BE, EB, AF, FG, GC,
act on a particle, it will be in equilibrium.
(27) A particle slides from rest down the whole length of a
smooth inclined plane. Prove that the distance between the foot
of the inclined plane and the focus of the parabola which the
particle describes after leaving the plane is equal to the height of
the plane.
(28) Trucks containing each a ton of ballast are sustained upon a
smooth plane of iiiclination a by an equal number of empty trucks
upon a smooth plane of inclination /3. Find the mass of a truck.
Ans. sin o/(sin ;8 - sin a) tons.
(29) A right cylinder whose weight is to the diameter of its base
as 3 : 4, stands on a perfectly rough inclined plane whose inclination
is 45°. From the lowest point of its uppermost circular section a
body is suspended whose weight is a little greater than one-sixth of
the weight of the cylinder. Prove that it will overturn the
cylinder.
(30) A ship sails from A to B, ^3 miles N. 30° W., in 15
minutes; from jB to C, 1 mile N. 60° E., in 7 minutes; from G to B,
4 miles N. 45° W., in 20 minutes ; and from Dto £,4 miles N. 45°
E., in 18 minutes. Show that her mean speed has been 9+^3
miles per hour, and that her mean velocity has been 2 -f- 4 ^2 miles
per hour, N.
(31) ABCD and A'B'C'iy are two parallelograms. Show that if
a particle be acted upon by forces represented by AA', B'B, GG',
and lyO, it will be in equilibrium.
492 KINEMATICS AND DYNAMICS.
(32) A uniform straight plank (length = 2a) rests with its middle
point upon a rough horizontal cylinder (radius =>•), their directions
being perpendicular to each other. Supposing the plank to be
slightly displaced so as to remain always in contact with the
cylinder without sliding, determine the period of an oscillation.
Ans. %ital>Jzgr.
(33) Two circles lie in the same plane, the lowest point of the
one being in contact with the highest point of the other. Show
that the time of descent from any point of the former to a point in
the latter down the chord passing through the point of contact, is
constant.
(34) Four pegs are fixed in a wall at the four highest vertices of
a regular hexagon, the two lowest being in a horizontal line. Over
the pegs a loop is thrown supporting a body of weight W, the loop
having such a length that the angles formed by it at the lowest
pegs are right angles. Find (a) the tension in the string, (6) .the
reactions of the two highest pegs, and (c) those of the two lowest
pegs.
Ans. (a) F; (6) W, inclined 60° to the horizontal; (c) 'W sl%
inclined 15° to the horizontal.
(35) Two points, P and §, move in straight lines (inclination = 9)
with uniform accelerations a and a', and at a given instant have
velocities v and v' respectively. Show that their relative velocity
will be perpendicular to §'s line of motion after a time
{v cos e — «;')/(«' - a cos 9),
and will have its least value after a time
{av' + ffl'«)cos e-av- aV
a^+a'^ — '2,aa' cos B
Show also that if v/v' = a/a', the least value of their relative velocity
will be zero.
(36) A particle of weight W is supported on a smooth inclined
plane of inclination o, by means of two strings attached to fixed
points in the plane and inclined at angles 8 and 8' to a line of
MISCELLANEOUS EXAMPLES. 493
greatest slope. Piud (a) the tensions in the strings, and (6) the
reaction of the plane.
Ans. (a) .^7^' and -J^-, (i) Wcosa.
(37) A given circle and a given straight line which does not cut
the circle are in the same vertical plane. Show that if a tangent
be drawn to the circle at its lowest point P, meeting the given line
in A, and if from the given line ^§ be cut olF equal to AP, and if
P^ intersect the circle in if, §iJ is the straight line of quickest
descent from the given straight line to the given circle.
(38) Two equal heavy particles slide along the arc of an ellipse
whose plane and major axis are vertical. They are connected by a
string passing through a smooth ring at the focus. Prove that the
particles will be in equilibrium in all positions.
(39) A point has three component coplanar velocities, »i, v^, v^,
the angles between v^ and % Vg and «j, v^ and v-^ being o, ^, y re-
spectively. Show that its resultant velocity is
(«i^ + v^ + v^ + 2«2»3 cos o + ^-^^ cos ^ + aiJ^Vj cos 7)i
(40) If the height of a rough inclined plane be to the length as
OS is to sld'+V, and a body of k-Ja^+b^ lbs. mass can just be
supported by friction alone, required the least force acting along
- the plane which will draw the body up the plane.
Ans. 2kag.
(41) Two bodies pf equal weight w are tied to the ends of a fine
string which passes over two puUies without mass in a horizontal
line (distance = a). Supposing a body of weight W(W>2w) to be
fixed to the middle point of the horizontal portion of the string,
determine how far it will descend.
Ans. 2wWa/(4w^- W).
(42) A pendulum which -would oscillate seconds at the equator
would gain 5 minutes a day at the pole. Show that the ratio of
the value of g at the equator to its value at the pole is 144 : 145.
(43) If there are n particles in a straight line, of masses m, 2m,
Zm, etc., and at distances a, a/2, a/3, etc., respectively from a point
in the line, the distance of the centre of mass from jt is 2a/(M+l).
494 KINEMATICS AND DYNAMICS.
(44) A square board is hung flat against a wall by means of a
string attached to the extremities of its upper edge and passing
round a smooth nail. Prove that if the length of the string is less
than the diagonal of the board, there will be three positions of
equilibrium.
(45) A point moves in a circle of radius r ft. with a uniform
speed of 7rr/6 ft. per sec. Show that its mean acceleration during
6 seconds is 7rr/18 ft. -sec. units in a direction opposite to the initial
direction of the velocity, and that the mean acceleration is 2/ir times
the magnitude of the uniform instantaneous acceleration.
(46) A particle is just supported by a rough inclined plane of
variable inclination when its inclination is i. Find its acceleration
up the plane when moving upwards on a line of greatest slope
under the action of a force equal to twice its weight acting up the
plane.
Ans, g'[2 — tan i(3 cos^i - sin^i)].
(47) At a given instant a pendulum begins to oscillate in a
vertical plane at a place of latitude 60°. Find after what time it
will be apparently oscillating in a plane perpendicular to the
former.
Ans. 1/2 ^3 day.
(48) ABCD is a square from which a corner AEF is cut oif by
a straight line drawn parallel to BD and at a distance from A
equal to | of the diagonal. Show that the distance of the centre
of mass of AEFirovn ^ is J of the diameter.
(49) A and B are points in a horizontal line. A uniform and
smooth rod AC (weight = W) is fastened to a hinge at A and can
swing in a vertical plane through AB. A string passes over a
pulley at B, supporting at one end a body of weight P, and at the
other being attached to a small smooth ring which slides on the
rod. Prove that there will be equilibrium in any position if
W.AC^-iP.AB.
(50) If a conic section be described under the action of a force
tending to a f ocijs, the hodograph will be a circle.
MISCELLANEOUS EXAMPLES. 495
(51) Show that 1 foot-grain is equivalent to 1"975 gramme-
centimetres. [1 grain =0'064799 gramme].
(52) A rod (length = Z) is fixed at one end about which it can
move freely in any direction. When it is inclined to the horizon
without motion at the angle a, a horizontal velocity V is com-
municated to 'its other end. Determine the velocity of the free, end
at the instant at which the rod becomes horizontal.
Ans. (V+Slgsma^ inclined to the vertical at the angle
tan-^[ Fcos a/( K^sin^a + Zlg sin o)i].
(53) A three-legged stool stands on the floor of an elevator
sliding in its frame-work with perfect freedom. Show that it has
four degrees of freedom.
(54) The distance of the centre of mass of haK a' hexagon
2^
inscribed in a circle from the centre is equal to where }• is the
3 ^3
radius.
(55) Two uniform beams of given weight are in equilibrium in a
vertical plane, the lower end of each beam resting on a horizontal '
floor and the upper ends being in contact. Show that the friction
between either beam and the floor varies inversely as the sum of
the tangents of the angles which the beams make with the floor.
(56) A particle moves in a parabola under the action of a constant
force parallel to the axis. Show that the hodograph of its path is
a straight line parallel to the axis.
(57) Show that one horse-power is equivalent to about 746 watts.
(58) A cone is revolving round its axis with a given angular
velocity when the length of the axis begins to be diminished
uniformly, and the vertical angle to be increased so that the
volume of the cone remains unchanged. Show that if u is the
initial angular velocity of the cone, and h the initial length and r
the rate of decrease of its axis, its angular velocity after any time t
will be a)(l-rt/A).
(59) Show that a body has two degrees of freedom, when two of
its points are constrained to remain in given curves.
496 KINEMATICS AND DYNAMICS.
(60) A body consists of two portions and one of them is moved
into a new position. Show that the line joining the two positions
of the centre of mass of the whole is parallel to, and bears a fixed
ratio to, the line joining the two positions of the centre of mass of
the part moved.
(61) A regular hexagon is formed of rods jointed at their ex-
tremities. Strings are stretched between every pair of alternate
angles of the hexagon so as to form two equilateral triangles.
Show that the tension of any string is equal to f of the sum of the
tensions of the strings which cross it, minus ^ of the tension of the
string which is parallel to it.
(62) The kinetic energy of a particle, which is constrained to
move in a circular path of radius r, varies as the square of its
distance s, measured along the path from a fixed point in the path.
Show that its tangential acceleration in any position is to its
normal acceleration as r : «.
(63) If an agent working at the rate of one horse-power, perform
the unit of work in the unit of time, and the acceleration of a falling
body be unit of acceleration, a pound being the unit of mass, find
the unit of (a) time and (6) length. [j7=32 ft. -sec. units.]
Anfi. (a) 17A see. ; (6) 9453^ ft.
(64) A rod is kept in a vertical position by means of two small
rings and its lower end is supported on an inclined plane
(inclination =i) which is freely moveable on a horizontal plane.
Show that if ■» is the velocity of the rod and «' that of the inclined
plane, !;=■!;' tan i.
(65) Show that if Q be the centre of mass of the triangle ABC
Z{GA-'-V GB"' + GC^) =AE'+BC"'+ CAK
(66) Two equal and similar rods AB, BO are freely hinged at B,
and rest in a plane of greatest slope of a rough inclined plane, in a
position of limiting equUibrium, with the end A hinged at a point
in the plane, and the end C resting on the plane. If o, 0, e are
respectively the angle of inclination of the plane to the horizon,
the angle of inclination of the rods to the plane, and the angle of
friction, show that
3 cos(0 -1- e)cos(^ - ") = cos(0 - c)cos(0 -1- a).
MISCELLANEOUS EXAMPLES. 497
(67) A point is moving in a straight line with an acceleration
varying as its distance from a point in that line. Prove that the
corresponding point in the hodograph moves with a similar ac-
celeration.
(68) The mass of a railway train is 150 tons and the resistances
to its motion (from air, friction, etc.) amount to 16 pounds- weight
per ton. Find (a) the horse-power of the engine which can just
keep it going at 60 miles an hour on a level plane, and (6) the
greatest speed which an engine working at 200 horse-power can
give it on a level plane.
Ans. (a) 384, (6) 31J miles per hour.
(69) A uniform rod (length = 2c) moves in a vertical plane within
a hemisphere with angular velocity a. Show that if $ be the
inclination of the rod to the horizon at any instant the horizontal
and vertical velocities of its middle point have the magnitudes
cw cos 8 and cw sin S.
(70) The corners of a pyramid are cut off by planes parallel to
the opposite faces. Show that if the portions cut off be of equal
mass, the centre of mass of the remainder will coincide with that
of the pyramid.
(71) Two uniform rods AB, AG of lengths a, b respectively, are of
the same material and thickness and are smoothly jointed at A. A
rigid weightless rod of length I is jointed at £ to AB, and its other
end B is fastened to a smooth ring sliding on AC. The system is
hung over a smooth peg at A. Show that AG makes with the
vertical an angle ta,n~\all(b^+a s/a'-P)'].
(72) If each unit involved in the measurement of g become m
times its former value, show that the new value of ff will be m
times its former value also.
(73) A particle of 10 lbs. mass, whose motion is simple harmonic,
has velocities 20 and 25 ft. per sec. at distances 10 and 8 ft. per sec.
respectively from the centre of fdrce. Find the work done during
the motion from the distance 10 to the distance 8 feet.
Ans. 112'5 foot-poundals.
2l
498 KINEMATICS AND DYNAMICS.
(74) A uniform rod in falling strikes, when in a. horizontal
position, -with one end against a stone. Show that the impulse of
the blow it receives is half that of the impulse of each of the blows
which it would have received had both ends struck simultaneously
against two stones, the blows being in all cases supposed to be at
right angles to the rod.
(75) Show that a force of 100 dynes is equivalent to the weight
of 1-019 X IQ-* kilogrammes.
(76) Show that in the direct impact of elastic balls of masses m
and M and initial velocities v and F, and with coefficient of restitu-
tion e, an amount of kinetic energy equal to (1 — ef gpn-r — \ ( F- »)^
is lost.
(77) How much water will be pumped from a vertical cylindrical
shaft of 10 feet diameter by an engine working for 6 hours at 200
horse-power, the water being discharged at a point 10 feet above
the mouth of the shaft, and the surface of the water being initially
20 feet below the mouth of the shaft. [Density of water = 1,000
oz. per cub. ft.]
Ans. 2,157'1... tons.
(78) Determine the unit of time in order that with the foot as
unit of length g (32 ft.-per-sec. per sec.) may have the value unity.
Ans. 1/4 ,y/2 second.
(79) Find the work done on a body of 12 lbs. mass in falling to
•the earth's surface from a point 1,000 miles above it. [Earth's
radius = 4,000 miles ; 5' = 32 ft.-sec. units.]
Ans. 22,628-5... ft.-tons.
(80) A ball rolling on a horizontal plane strikes obliquely an
.equal ball at rest. The direction of motion of each ball after
irtipaot makes the same angle 6 with that of the striking ball before
impact. Show that the coefficient of restitution is equal to tan^ff.
(81) If the weight of one ounce be the unit of force, one second
the unit of time^ and 162 the density in pounds per cubic foot of
the standard substance, find the unit of length, g being taken to be
32 ft.-sec. units.
Ans. 4 inches.
MISCELLANEOUS EXAMPLES. 499
(82) If from any point in the plane of a polygon perpendiculars
be drawn to its sides, and if forces act along these perpendiculars,
either all inwards or all outwards, each force being proportional to
the side to which it is perpendicular, the system is in equilibrium.
(83) A rough heavy body bounded by a curved surface rests
upon two others, which themselves rest upon a rough horizontal
plane. Show that the three centres of mass and the four points of
contact lie in one plane.
(84) Two points move in concentric circles of radii r and /.
When their radii vectores from the common centre are inclined 9
radians, their angular velocities about the centre are w and u'
respectively. Find the magnitude of their relative velocity.
Ans. ((<)r'' + ()IR + (b sin )IG,
and being the angles made by the given straight lines with the
central axis, a and b the shortest distances between these lines and
the central axis, R the resultant force and G the resultant couple.
(101) Show that a stress of 40 grammes-weight per square
centimetre is equivalent to one of 0-5689... pound's-weight per sq.
inch.
(102) If s and s' are the spaces traversed by a point moving with
uniform acceleration in a straight line in the times t and t' respec-
tively, reckoned from the same instant, show that the acceleration
and the initial velocity are, respectively,
2^7-sOa„df?!lzf^'
tt'{i-t) tiii-t)'
502 KINEMATICS AND DYNAMICS.
(103) A gun is suspended freely by two equal parallel cords and
a shot is fired from it. Prove that the range on a horizontal plane
is, for a given gun and shot, directly proportional both to the height
through which the gun rises in the recoil and to the tangent of its
initial inclination to the horizon.
(104) Find the force exerted by two equal uniform discs (radius
= a, distance =c, surface density = p) placed perpendicularly to the
line joining their centres, on a particle of unit mass in that line at a
distance h from the nearer disc, it being given that the one disc
attracts, while the other repels, according to the gravitational law.
Ans. 27rp[(6 + c)/ Va^ + (6 + of - b/ is/^^+F].
(105) Find the moment of inertia of a fly-wheel (mass=if)
formed by cutting from a circular plate of radius r^ a circular
portion (concentric with the plate) of radius j-j.
Ans. ^M(r-i^+r^^).
(106) A hollow vessel has the form of a pyramid, four of whose
five faces are equilateral triangles (side = a). It is placed with its
square face on a horizontal plane and filled with a liquid of density
P through a small aperture in the vertex. Find the integral stress
on the four triangular faces.
Ans. a^pffs/^IS.
(lOV) Two inclined planes intersect in a horizontal line, their
inclinations to the horizon being a and /3. If a particle be pro-
jected at right angles to the former from a point in it so as to
strike the other at right angles, the velocity of projection must be
sin /3[2gra/(sin a - sin p cos (o -I- /S))]},
a being the distance of the point of projection from the intersection
of the planes.
(108) Two particles, of masses 9,820 and 1,964 grammes respec-
tively, attract one another. Find the acceleration of either relative
to the other, when the distance between them is 4 cm.
Ans. 0'75 cm. -sec. units.
(109) Find the acceleration produced by a mass of 1 kilogramme
in a particle at a distance of 1 metre. [Earth's mass=6'14x 10^'
grammes; earth's radius =6 '37x10* cm. ; ^' = 981 cm. -sec. units.]
Ans. 6-48x10-8.
MISCELLANEOUS EXAMPLES. 503
(110) A moment of inertia is expressed in terins of the units of
the ft.-lb.-sec. gravitational system. By what number must its
value be multiplied that it may be expressed in terms of the metre-
kilogramme-second gravitational system.
Ans. 0-138....
(111) Two particles are projected from two given points in the
same vertical line with the same v.elocities. Prove that lines
touching the path of the lower will cut off from the path of the
upper, arcs described in equal times.
(112) One bullet is fired towards another bullet which is let fall
at the same instant. Prove that if, on meeting (see 119, Ex. 4),
they coalesce, the latus rectum of their joint path will be one-fourth
of that of the original path of the first bullet.
(113) A uniform bar of length a rests suspended by two strings
of lengths I and V fastened to the ends of • the bar and to two fixed
points in the same horizontal line at a distance c apart. Prove
that if the directions of the strings are perpendicular the ratio of
their tensions is al+d' : al'+cl.
(114) In the expression for' the attraction of two particles,
F=kmm' jcP, how does the value of h depend upon the units of
mass, length, and time.
Ans. Its dimensions are [M]-\L]\Ty'.
(115) Show that the radius of gyration of a uniform square disc
(side = a) about one of its diagonals is aj \/l2.
(116) A particle describes an ellipse under a force directed
towards its centre. Show that the time between the extremities
of conjugate diameters will be constant.
(117) A particle is dropped from a point A and a second equal
particle is simultaneously projected vertically upwards from a point
B so that the balls impinge, the stress during impact being in a line
inclined tan-^ V« (« being the coefficient of restitution) to the verti-
cal. Prove that both balls will strike the horizontal plane through
B simultaneously, and that if the velocity of projection at B be
504 KINEMATICS AND DYNAMICS.
that due to AB (i.e., that which the particle would have had had
it fallen through the vertical distance AB), their distance there will
heABs/Se.
(118) If a body, attached at its centre of mass to one end of a
string of length r, the other end being attached to a fixed point in
a smooth horizontal plane, make n revolutions in one unit of time,
prove that the ratio of the tension in the string to the force exerted
on the plane is 4irVr : g.
(119) Find the time of a small double oscillation under gravity
of a uniform one foot cube suspended by one edge as horizontal
axis.
Ans. l"-07....
(120) A particle describes a parabolic orbit under a force directed
towards the focus. Show that the sum of the squares of the
velocities at the extremities of a focal chord is constant.
(121) A body of mass P pulls one of mass § over a smooth pulley,
and § in ascending, as it passes a certain point A, catches and car-
ries with it a third body B, which in its descent is again deposited
at A. Supposing no jerk to occur when B is caught up and that
§ oscillates through equal distances above and below A, prove that
the mass of B is (P^ _ q^iq.
(122) A uniform triangular lamina suspended from a fixed point
by three cords attached to its three vertices is in equilibrium.
Show that the tensions in the cords are proportional to their
lengths.
(123) Three inches of rain fell in a certain district (5^=32 ft. -sec.
units) in 12 hours. Assuming that the drops fell from a height of
a quarter of a mile and neglecting the resistance of the air, find the
pressure on the ground due to the rain during the storm. [The
mass of a cubic foot of rain water = 1,000 oz.]
Ans. 0'105... poundals per sq. foot.
(124) Show that in the case of a right-angled isosceles triangular
plate the times of small oscillations are the same about horizontal
axes perpendicular to its plane through its vertex and through the
middle point of its base.
INDEX.
{The Numbers refer to Sections.)
Absciasa, 4.
Absolute units, 301.
Acceleration, 110; angular, see An-
gular acceleration ; central, 156 ;
change of point of reference, 115 ;
planetary, hodograph and path of
point moving under, 161 ; moment
of, 123-4; motion under uniform,
140 ; normal, 120 ; of falling bodies
at the earth's surface, formula for,
140 (footnote) ; of momentum, mo-
ment of, 422; of point moving
subject to Kepler's Laws, 162; of
point moving uniformly in a circle,
121 ; relative, 115 ; tangential,
120; units of, 111.
Accelerations, composition and reso-
lution of, 116.
Activity, 333.
-Slolotropic bodies, 542.
Amount of shear, 269.
Amplitude of simple harmonic motion,
165.
Angle, plane, units of, 21.
Angle, solid, unit of, 22.
Angular acceleration, of a point, 135 ;
of a rigid system, 219 ; units of, 136.
Angular accelerations, composition
and resolution of, 221.
Angular and linear velocity, relation
between, 129.
Angulardisplaoementof apoint, 125-6.
Angular momentum, 420. _
Angular velocities, composition of, 216.
Angular velocity, of a point, 127; of a
rigid system, 212 ; of rigid system,
and linear velocity of one of its
points, relation between, 214; mo-
ment of velocity, in terms of, 132 ;
units of, 128.
Approach, velocity of, 321.
Archimedes' Principle, 581.
Area, units of, 17-19.
Areas, conservation of, 429.
Areal velocity, 133.
Arm of couple, 467.
Atmosphere, homogeneous, 580.
Attraction, integral normal, over a
surface, 365; of infinite uniform
plate, 369 ; of thin circular disc,
316 (1) ; of thin uniform spherical
shell, 316 (5 and 6), 367 ; of uniform
circular cylinder, 368.
Attractions, 315; difference of, on
opposite sides of attracting plate,
370.
Atwood's machine, 382 (1), 498 (1).
Axes of co-ordinates, 4.
Axes, principal, of strain, 263.
Axis, of couple, 467 ; of rotational dis-
placement, 208; of rotation, in-
stantaneous, 213 ; Foinsot's central,
482.
Azimuth and Altitude, 3.
Balance, common, conditions of sta-
bility and sensitiveness, 507 (11) ;
quickness of motion, 498 (4) ; time
of oscillation, 498 (4).
Balance, spring, 320 (6).
Ballistic pendulum, 499 (8).
Baryoentrio bodies, 474.
Bending of a beam, 277 (4), 556 (8-10).
Blackburn's pendulum, 180.
Boyle's law, 567. ■
Bulk-elasticity, modulus of, 552.
Cartesian co-ordinates, 4.
Catenary, common, 396.
Central acceleration, 156.
506
INDEX.
Central axis, 482.
Centre, instantaneous, 233 ; of
gravity, 474 ; of inertia, 399 ; of
mass, 899; do., acceleration of,
411 ; do., acceleration of, in terms
of external forces, 414 ; do.,
distance of, from any plane, 400-401 ;
do., of a surface, 408 (13) ; do., of
circular arc, 408 (10) ; do., of com-
posite bodies, 407; do., of homo-
geneous symmetrical bodies, 406;
do., of lune, 408 (19) ; do., of sector
of circle, 408 (20) ; do., of triangle,
408(12) ; do., of triangular pyramid,
408 (23); do., velocity of, 409; of
oscillation of physical pendulum,
496 (3) ; of percussion, 496 (9) ; of
pressure, 579; of stress, 528; of
suspension of physical pendulum,
496 (3) ; of system of parallel forces,
472.
Centrifugal force, 320 (14).
Centripetal force, 320 (14), 338.
Centrobaric bodies, 474.
Chain, see String.
Clock, 32.
Coefficient, of elasticity, 321 ; of limit-
ing static friction, 328; of kinetic
friction, 328 ; of restitution, 321,
378.
Collision, of particles, 378; of spheres,
380 (1), 498 (10 and 11).
Component accelerations, etc., see
composition of accelerations, etc.
Components, 80-82 ; resultant equal to
algebraic sum of components of, in
its direction, 83, 84 ; trigonometrical
expressions for, 85, 86, 89.
Composition, of accelerations, 116 ; of
angular accelerations, 221 ; of an-
gular velocities, 216; of angular
velocities about parallel axes, 249 ;
of couples, 469 ; of forces acting on
a particle, 312 ; of forces acting on
rigid body, 459; of linear and an-
gi]dar accelerations, 250; of linear
and angular velocities, 247; of
simple harmonic motions, 168; of
simultaneous displacements, 78 ; of
simultaneous rotations, 203 ; of suc-
cessive displacements, 76; of suc-
cessive rotations, 200 ; of transla-
tions and rotations, 238 ; of veloci-
ties, 98.
Compound harmonic motion, 167.
Compound pendulum, 496 (3).
Compressibility, 552.
Configuration, 12.
Conical pendulum, 190, 320 (19).
Conservation, of angular momentum,
principle of, 429, 495 ; of areas, 429 ;
of energy, law of, for single particle,
348 ; of energy, law of, for extended
bodies, 435 ; of linear momentum,
pi'inciple of, 416, 495.
Conservative forces, 348.
Conservative system, 435.
Constraint, of a point, 35 ; motion of
points under, 181; motion of rigid
systems under, 253 ; one degree of,
of most general kind, 246.
Continuity, equation of, 586.
Continuous stress, 522 ; strain, 284.
Co-ordinates, 2 ; Cartesian, 4 ; polar,
3; rectangular, 4-5.
Coplanar forces on rigid body, single
resultant of, 460-463.
Cord, see String.
Coulomb's law, .556 (6).
Couples, 467 ; composition of, 469.
Cubical dilatation, 266.
Curvature, centre, chord, circle, and
diameter of, 39 ; of a circle, 38 ; of
any path, 37 ; radius of, 39.
Curved path, motion in, under uniform
acceleration, 185.
Cycle of transformations, 436.
Cycloid, motion in, 192.
Cycloidal pendulum, 193.
D'Alembert's Principle, 417.
Day, sidereal, 29 ; sidereal, variation
of, 30 ; solar, 31.
Degree, 21.
Degrees of freedom, see Freedom.
Density, 304 ; surfaces of equal, 675.
Derived units, 18.
Differential screw, 517 (7) ; wheel and
axle, 517 (5). •
Dilatation, cubical, 266.
Dimensions of space, 13 ; of units, 18.
Direction cosines, 7; inclination of
two straight lines in terms of, 8;
of common perpendicular to two
given lines, 10 ; sum of squares of,
equal to unity, 7.
Direction of shear, 269.
Displacement of free rigid systems,
232-233.
1 Displacements, 69; angular, see An-
INDEX.
507
gular displacement ; change of point
of reference, 71-74; composition of
simultaneous, 78; composition of
successive, 76; resolution of, 79;
rotational, 208.
Dynamics, subject matter of, 285, 323.
Dynamometer, friction brake, 507(14).
Dyne, 302.
Efficiency of a machine, ,517 (8).
Efflux of liquids, 589.
Elastic central line, 556 (8).
Elastic isotropy, conditions of, 548;
Elasticity, 543 ; of figure, 549 ; of vol-
ume, 549; perfect, 543; perfect,
limit of, 546.
Element, 310.
Elevation of a projectile, 145.
Elliptic harmonic motion, 173.
Elongation of strain, 257.
Energy, 343; equation of, for fluids,
588 ; law of, application to kinetic
problems, 441, 499 ; law of conser-
vation of, for extended bodies, 435;
law of, for extended bodies, 4.37,
439 ; law of, for single particle, 348 ;
law of, for single particle, applica-
tion to kinetic problems, 351 ; law
of, for single particle, application to
static problems, 353; loss of, on
impact, 443 (1 ) ; of a system of par-
ticles, 432 ; of position, 345.
Epoch of simple harmonic motion, 165.
Equation of continuity, 586.
Equations of motion, of a particle, 317;
of extended bodies, 431; of fluids,
586 ; of rigid bodies, 493 ; of strings,
384, 387, 390, 391, 392, 394.
Equilibrium, of elastic solids, 551 ; of
extended systems, 444; of floating
body, 582; of floating body, stabi-
lity of, 583 ; of fluids, 569 ; of a par-
ticle, 323 ; of a particle, analytical
expression for condition of, 326 ;
of a particle, condition of, 324 ; of
a particle, expressions for condition
of, 325 ; of a rigid body, 500 ; of a
rigid body, analytical conditions of,
.501 ; of a rigid body, conditions of,
in terms of work done, 510; of a
rigid body, expressions for condi-
tions of, 504 ; lof a system of rigid
bodies, 508; of strings, 385, 387,
390, 391, 392, 394 ; stability of, 450.
Equipotential surfaces, 358.
Erg, 331.
Ergometer, 507 (14).
Extended bodies, 398.
External forces, 376, 398.
Falling bodies, 140-141, 159 ; value of
acceleration of, 140 (footnote).
Field of force, 355 ; mapped out
by lines of force, 372 ; uniform,
373.
First Law of Motion, 286.
Fixed point, 24.
Flexural rigidity, modulus of, 552 ; of
bent beam, 556 (8).
Flexure of a beam, 277 (4), 556 (8-10).
Floating body, equilibrium of, 582;
stability of equilibrium of, 583.
Flow of liquids, 589.
Fluent, 44.
Fluid, 547.
Fluid pressure, 569; centre of, 569;
resultant, 569 ; specification of,
570.
Fluids, shearing stresses, in, 584.
Flux, 44.
Fluxion, 44.
Foot-pound, 331.
Foot-poundal, 331.
Force, acting on particle, specification
of, 311 ; acting on rigid body, speci-
fication of, 457 ; centrifugal, 320
(14) ; centripetal, 320 (14), 338 ; de
cheval, 335'; diagram, 382 (22), 509
(26) ; dimensions of derived unit of,
308; in terms of potential, 356;
line of, 359, 572 ; moment of, 425 ;
origin of idea bf, 285; rotating
power proportional to moment,
455; tube of, 360; units of, 297-
.302, 552.
Forces, conservative, .348; internal
and external, 376, 398 ; non-conser-
vative, 348; on particle, composi-
tion and resolution of, 312 ; on rigid
body, composition of, 459 ; on rigid
body, condition of reducibility to
single force, 477 ; on rigid body re-
ducible to a force and a couple, 479 ;
on rigid body reducible to two forces,
476.
Foucault's pendulum, 228 (5). _
Freedom, degrees of, of a point, 35 ;
of a rigid system with one point
fixed, 198, 211 ; of free rigid system,
231, 236.
508
INDEX.
Friction, kinetic and limiting static,
328; molecular, 645.
Friction brake dynamometer, n07
(14).
Gkilileo's Law of Motion, 309.
Gas, real and ideaJ, 567.
Geometrical representation of motion
of rigid systems, 229, 252.
Graphic methods, 382 (22), 509 (26).
Gravitation, law of, 315.
Gravitational potential, 361.
Gravitational units, 298.
Gravity, force of, 140 (foot-note) ;
centre of, 474.
Gyration, radius of, 486.
Harmonic motion, 163; compound,
167 ; elliptic, ;173 ; simple, 163.
Heterogeneous strains, 284.
Heterogeneous stress, 522.
Hinge, reactions of, on bars, 509 (14
and 15).
Hodograph, 113, 161.
Homogeneous atmosphere, 580 ;
bodies, 541 ; strains, 257 ; stress, 522.
Hooke's Law, 551, 567.
Horse-power, 335.
Hydrostatics, 566.
Hydrokinetics, 584,
Ideal gas, 567.
Impact, direct, of spheres, 380 (1), 498
(10) ; oblique, of spheres, 498 (11) ;
of particle on smooth surface, 821.
Impulse, 294 ; equations of motion of
a particle in terms of, 319 ; equa-
tions of motion of rigid body in
terms of, 494.
Impulsive forces, 319.
Inclination of two lines, 8 (footnote) ;
in terms of direction cosines, 8-9.
Inclined plane, equilibrium of body
on, 327 (1), 329 (7), 354 ; motion on,
under uniform acceleration, 181,
329 (1), 352 (4).
Inertia, 286 ; centre of, 399 ; moment
of, see Moment of inertia ; quantity
of, 291.
Initial line of polar co-ordinates, 3.
Initial tensions, 382 (23).
Internal forces, 376, 398.
Instantaneous axis of rotation, 213.
Instantaneous centre, 233.
Intensity of stress, 523.
Isotropic bodies, 542.
Isotropy, elastic, conditions of, 548.
Joule's experiments on mechanical
equivalent of heat, 590.
Joule, the, 331.
Kater's pendulum, 496 (3).
Kepler's Laws, 162.
Kilogramme-metre, 331.
Kinematics of machinery, 253.
Kinematics, subject matter of, 1.
Kinetic energy, 344, 432; change of,
equivalent to work done, 344, 434 ;
loss of, on impact, 443 (1).
Kinetics, subject mattei: of, 323; of
elastic solids, 5.57 ; of fluids, 584.
Law of energy, see Energy.
Laws of motion, 285.
Length, units of, 16.
Level surface, 576.
Lever, 507 (9); rough, 507 (32) ; rough,
efficiency of, 517 (9).
Limit of perfect elasticity, .546.
Linear and angular velocity, relation
between, 129.
Linear density, 304.
Linear displacement, 125.
Linear velocity, 127 .
Lines, of force, 359, 572 ; of motion
(of fluids), 587 ; of quickest descent,
184 (11).
Liquid, 567.
Longitudinal stress, 530.
Machinery, kinematics of, 2.53.
Machines, simple, see Simple ma-
chines.
Mass, 289 ; astronomical unit of, 815 ;
centre of, see Centre of mass ; di-
mensions of derived unit of, 300 ;
to be distinguished from weight,
290 ; units of, 297-802, 304, 315.
Material point, 310.
Matter, quantity of, 291.
Measurement, 14 ; of length, area,
etc., see Length, Area, etc.
Mechanical advantage of simple ma-
chine, 327 (1 and 2).
Mechanical powers, see Simple ma-
chines.
Mechanics, 323.
Metacentre, 583.
INDEX.
509
Moduluses of elasticity, 552 ; dimen-
sions of, 552.
Modulus, length of the, 552 ; of hulk
elasticity, 552 ; of flexural rigidity,
552 ; of rigidity, 552 ; of simple
longitudinal stress, 552 ; of torsion,
552 ; of torsion, in terms of rigidity,
556 (7) ; Young's, 552, 556 (4).
Molar equilibrium of extended sys-
tems, 444.
Molecular equilibrium of extended
systems, 444.
Molecular friction, 545.
Moment, of acceleration of momentum,
422 ; of a force, 425 ; of a force, ana-
lytical expression for, 427 ; of an
acceleration, 123-4; of a velocity,
103 ; of a velocity, analytical ex-
pression for, 106 ; of a velocity in
terms of angular velocity, 132 ; of
inertia, 486 ; of inertia, dimensions
of units of, 491 ; of inertia, deter-
mination by calculation, 488, by
experiment, 487 ; of inertia of an
area, 556 (6) ;of inertia, units of,
491 ; of momentum, 418.
Moments of inertia, 490.
Momentum, 293 ; angular, 420 ; con-
servation of linear and angular, see
Conservation ; moment of, 418; mo-
ment of acceleration of, 422.
Motion, in cycloidal path, 192 ; of free
rigid bodies, 497; of particle,
equations of, 317 ; of particle, under
given rates of change of speed, 60 ;
of particle under uniform accelera-
tion, 140 ; of particle, under uniform
velocity, 138 ; of rigid body about
fixed axis, 496 ; of rigid system
under constraint, 253 ; of rigid
system under given accelerations,
251 ; of rigid system under given
angular accelerations, 224 ; of sys-
tems of rigid bodies, 498 ; rela-
tion of, to time, 25.
Neutral equilibrium, 450.
Neutral surface, 277 (4).
Newton's experiments on collision of
spheres, 378, 380 (12).
Newton's Laws of Motion, 285.
Non-conservative forces, 348-
Non-conservative system, 435.
Normal acceleration, 120.
Numeric, 14.
Numerical measure or value, 14; in-
versely proportional to magnitude
of unit, 15.
Oblique impact of spheres, 498 (11).
Ordinate, 4.
Origin of co-ordinates, 4.
Orthogonal projection, 8.
Oscillation, centre of, of physical
pendulum, 496 (3).
Osculating plane, 41.
Parallel forces, resultant of, 464-467,
470.
Parallelogram of accelerations, 116 ;
of displacements, 78 ; of forces,
313 ; of velocities, 98.
Particle, 310.
Particles, systems of, 374, 398.
Path, 36; of point ujider planetary
acceleration, 161 ; of point under
zero acceleration, 138 ; of point
with harmonic motion, 163, 164,
168, 170-180; of a projectile,
1.51-2.
Pendulum, ballistic, 499 (8); Black-
burn's,180; Captain Kater's,496 (3) ;
compound or physical, 496 (3) ;
conical, 190, 320 (19); cycloidal,
,193; Foucault's, 228 (5); mathe-
matical or simple, 187, 352 (5).
Percussion, centre of, 496 (9).
Perfect elasticity, 543 ; limit of, 546.
Perfectly rough body, 328.
Period of simple harmonic m otion, 165.
Perpetual motion, 436; impossibility
of, as law of motion, 436.
Phase of simple harmonic motion, 165.
Physical pendulum, 496 (3).
Pitch of screw, 245, 254 (4).
Plane of shear, 269.
Planetary motion, 158.
Poinsot's central axis, 482.
Point of reference of displacements,
change of, 71-74.
Poisson's ratio, 556 (1).
Polar co-ordinates, 3.
Pole of polar co-ordinates, 3; of the
hodograph, 113.
Polygon, of accelerations, 116 ; of dis-
placements, 78; of forces, 313; of
velocities, 98.
Position, 2, 11.
Potential, 355; calculation of, 363;
central forces derivable from, 356 ;
510
INDEX.
force in terms of, 356 ; no maximum
or minimum value of, in free space,
371.
Potential energy, 345-347, 356, 432.
Poundal, 302.
Power, 333.
Pressure, 306 ; centre of, 579 ; differ-
ence of, between two points of a
heavy fluid, 579, 580; equality -of,
in all directions in fluids, 570, 585 ;
fluid, 569 ; of fluids acted on by
external forces, 577 ; resultant, 579 ;
surfaces of equal, 572.
Pressure-height, 580.
Projectiles, 142 ; displacement of,
after given time, 144 ; displacement
of, in given direction, 145 ; elevation
of, 145 ; path of, 151-2 ; range on
given plane, 145 ; range on hori-
zontal plane, 149 ; velocity of, after
given time, 143.
Projection, orthogonal, elementary
propositions on, 8 (foot-note); of
simple harmonic motion, 172.
PuUeys, 254 (6-7), 509 (1. 2, 3), 517 (2).
Pure strains, 267.
Quickening, 54.
Quickest descent, lines of, 184 (11).
Radian, 21 ; soUd, 22.
Radius, of curvature, 39 ; of gyration,
486.
Radius vector, 3.
Range, of a projectile, 145, 149.
Rate of work, 333 ; dimensions of units
of, 335 ; units of, .335.
Ratio of strain, 257.
Recoil, velocity of, 321.
Rectangular components of a displace-
ment, 81.
Rectangular co-ordinates, 4.
Relative acceleration, 11-5.
Relative velocity, 96.
Repose, angle of, 328.
Resilience, 565.
Resistance to compression, 549.
Resolution, of accelerations, 116; of
angular accelerations, 221 ; of dis-
placements, 79 ; of forces, 312 ; of
rotation into translation and rota-
tion, 241 ; of rotations, 207 ; of
stress, 530 ; of velocities, 99.
Rest, 24.
Restitution, coefficient of, 321, 378.
Resultant displacement, 76; analy-
tical expression for, 90 ; trigonome-
trical expression for, 85.
Resultant pressure, 579.
Resultant stress, 525.
Rigid bodies, 194.
Rigid bodies, motion about fixed axes,
496 ; motion of free, 497 ; motion
of systems of, 498.
Rigid dynamics, 453.
Rigidity, ,549.
Rigidity, flexural, modulus of, 552.
Rigidity, modulus of, 552.
Rotation, 33, 194.
Rotational displacements, 208.
Rotational strains, 268.
Rotations, 199 ; composition of simul-
taneous, 203; composition of suc-
cessive, 200 ; resolution of, 207.
Rough bodies, 328.
Scalar quantity, 42.
Screw, 245, 2.54 (4), 517 (6) ; differ-
ential, 517 (7) ; rough, efficiency of,
517 (11) ; rough, mechanical advan-
tage of, 517 (10).
Second, 32.
Second Law of Motion, 287.
Shear, 269 ; amount of, 269 ; direction
of, 269 ; homogeneity of, 270 ; plane
of, 269 ; reduction of, to a pure
strain and a rotation, 272.
Shearing stress, 530.
Sidereal day, 29 ; variation of, 30.
Signs, convention of, for co-ordinates,
4, 5 ; for moments of forces, 425 ;
for moment of velocity, 103.
Simple harmonic motion, 163 ; ampli-
tude of, 165 ; epoch of, 165 ; period
of, 165; phase of, 165; projection
of, 172.
Simple harmonic motions, composition
of, 168.
Simple longitudinal strain, 264.
Simple machines, see Pulley, Inclined
Plane, Wheel and Axle, Lever,
Screw.
Simple pendulum, 187, 352 (5).
Simple rigidity, see Rigidity.
Smooth body, 320 (24).
Solar day, 31.
Solid, 547.
Solid radian, 22.
Space, dimensions of, 1
Specific gravity, 304.
INDEX.
511
Speed, 42 ; change of, 51 ; dimensions
of units of, 47 ; motion of a point
with uniform, 61 ; motion of a
point under given rates of change
of, 60; motion of a point under
uniform rate of change of, 63 ; rate
of change of, 52, 53 ; rate of change
of, dimensions of, 57; rate of change
of, units of, 56 ; units of, 45.
Spring balance, 320 (6).
Stabifity of equilibrium, 450; of
floating body, .583 ; relation of
potential energy to, 451.
Stable equilibrium, 450.
Standard substance, 804.
Standards, 14; of length, etc., see
Length, etc.
Static energy, 345.
Statics, subject matter of, 323.
Steady motion, 587.
Strain, 33, 255 ; continuous, 284 ;
due to longitudinal stre,s8, 554 ;
ellipsoid, 264 ; elongations of, 257 ;
heterogeneous, 284; homogeneous,
257 ; principal axes of, 263 ; princi-
pal elongations of, 263 ; principal
ratios of, 263 ; pure, 267 ; ratio of,
257 ; rectangular specification of a
small, 283 ; relation of final to
initial volume, 266; relation of
stress to, 540 ; rotational, 268 ;
simple longitudinal, 264 ; specifica-
tion of, 278.
Stream lines, .587.
Strings, flexible and inextensible, 383.
Stress, 306 ; centre of, 528 ; con-
tinuous, 522; dimensions of imits
of, 523 ; homogeneous, 522 ; hetero-
geneous, 522 ; longitudinal, 530 ;
relation of, to strain, 540 ; required
for longitudinal strain, 555 ; resolu-
tion of, 530 ; resultant of, .525 ;
specification of, 531; tailgential or
shearing, 530; tangential, resolu-
tion of, into longitudinal stresses,
538 ; units of, 523.
Stresses, 519; in bars of framework,
509 (22 and 23).
Surface density, 304.
Surface integral of normal attraction,
365.
Surfaces of equal density, 575 ; of
equal pressure, 572.
Suspension, centre of, of physical
pendulum, 496 (3).
Systems of particles connected by
strings, 381.
Tangential acceleration, 120.
Tangential stress, 530 ; resolution of,
into longitudinal stresses, 538.
Tautochrone, the cycloid a, 192.
Tension, 306.
Thermal energy, 440.
Third Law of Motion, 307.
Three-bar motion, 254 (8).
Time, description of instants, 26 ;
measurement of, 27; relation of
motion to, 25 ; units of, 29-32.
Toggle-joint, 517 (13).
Torrioelli's Thrtirem, 589.
Torsion, 277 (3) ; modulus of, 5.52 ;
stress required to maintain, 556 (6) ;
time of oscillation of a body sus-
pended by a twisted wire, 558.
Tortuosity, 41.
Transformations of energy, 349.
Translation, 33, 34.
Transmissibility of force, principle of,
456.
Transmission of pressure, principle of
the equal, 571.
Triangle of accelerations, 116 ; of dis-
placements, 78 ; of forces, 313 ; of
velocities, 98.
Tubes of force, 360.
Twist, 245.
Uniform acceleration, motion in curved
path under, 185 ; motion on in-
clined plane under, J8 1, 329 (1), 352
(4) ; motion under, 140.
Uniform velocity, motion under, 138.
Units, absolute, 301 ; derived, 19 ;
dimensions of, 18 ; gravitational,
298; systems of, 46 ; of length, etc,
see Length, etc.
Unstable equilibrium, 450.
Vectors, 70.
Velocities, composition of, 98 ; reso-
lution of, 99 ; virtual, 353.
Velocity, 43, 92 ; angular, see Angular
velocity ; areal, see Areal velocity ;
change of, 109 ; change of point of
reference, 96 ; instantaneous, 93 ;
mean, 92 ; moment of, about a point;
103, about a line, 104; motion under
uniform, 138 ; relative, 96 ; units of,
94.
512
INDEX.
Fcjia contraeta, 589.
Virtual displacement, 353; moment,
353; velocities or work, principle
of, 353.
Viscosity, 545.
Volume, dimensions of units of, 20;
units of, 17.
Warren girder, 509 (27).
"Watt, the, 335.
"Weight, 290 ; to be distinguished
from mass, 270 ; proportional to
mass, 290.
Weights of particles of small body
reducible to single force acting at
centre of mass, 474.
Wheel and Axle, 254 (5), 498 (3), 507
(10); differential, 517 (5).
Work done, 330 ; by component forces
and resultant, rek,tion between,
342 ; dimensions of units of, 332 ;
dimensions of units of rate of, 335 ;
during strain, .559, 590 ; under cen-
tral forces, 337; under uniform
force, 337 ; rate of, 333 ; units of,
331 ; units of rate of, 335.
Young's modulus, 552; in terms of
moduluses of elasticity, 556 (4). <^p
END.
PEIHTED AT THE DHIVEKSITY PRESS, ET ROBEKT HACLEHOSE, OLASOOW.