Topic summary · Mechanics (M2)
Statics summary
Rigid-body statics needs both force equilibrium and moment equilibrium about a sensible point.
Files: M2-Statics.pdf · M2-Statics answers.pdf · free public downloads · diagrams in the PDFs
Key learning points
- Resolve in two directions; take moments to eliminate unknowns.
- Support reactions may have horizontal and vertical components.
- Uniform beam: place weight at the midpoint.
- Keep clockwise/anticlockwise conventions consistent.
Worked example 1 — Choice of pivot
Why take moments about a support?
Working
Removes one unknown from the moment equation.
Worked example 2 — Resolve in two directions; take moments to eliminate
Use this method from the Statics sheet: Resolve in two directions; take moments to eliminate unknowns.
Working
Each key learning point matches a question type on the printable worksheet.
Worked example 3 — Support reactions may have horizontal and vertical comp
Use this method from the Statics sheet: Support reactions may have horizontal and vertical components.
Working
Each key learning point matches a question type on the printable worksheet.
Worked example 4 — Uniform beam: place weight at the midpoint
Use this method from the Statics sheet: Uniform beam: place weight at the midpoint.
Working
Each key learning point matches a question type on the printable worksheet.
Worked example 5 — Keep clockwise/anticlockwise conventions consistent
Use this method from the Statics sheet: Keep clockwise/anticlockwise conventions consistent.
Working
Each key learning point matches a question type on the printable worksheet.
Scaffolded Learning Sheet and answers (PDFs)
This page is a short, searchable overview for revision and search engines. Use the Scaffolded Learning Sheet first, then the Answers PDF for a full written solution. The printable PDFs remain the main classroom resource.