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Cherish Qualls, PhD

What is Statics and how will it help me?

Statics is typically the first engineering mechanics course taught in university-level engineering programs.  It is the study of objects that are either at rest, or moving with a constant velocity.  Statics is important in the development of problem solving skills.  It teaches you to think about how forces and bodies act and react to one another.  You learn how to analyze word problems, pull out the important information and then solve. 

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What is Statics and how will it help me?

Statics is typically the first engineering mechanics course taught in university-level engineering programs.  It is the study of objects that are either at rest, or moving with a constant velocity.  Statics is important in the development of problem solving skills.  It teaches you to think about how forces and bodies act and react to one another.  You learn how to analyze word problems, pull out the important information and then solve. 

One of the most important aspects of this course is the use of free body diagrams.  Free body diagrams (FBDs) are used endlessly in many engineering courses and this course is where you will perfect your FBD drawing skills. The material and thought processes learned in this class will be of great benefit to you in any other application where you are analyzing relationships between objects and applying math concepts.

Why is this course better than the others?

Have you ever been in a class and been frustrated by the lack of fully-worked examples? This will not be that class.  I understand the frustration - I used to feel the same way.  Because of that, I teach my classes in a way that I would've preferred as a student.  Handwritten notes, simple explanations, and plenty of examples in a variety of difficulty levels.  You will not find PowerPoint slides here. To test your knowledge there are exams.  In case you get stuck, video solutions are provided. I also don't assume you know more than you do - we'll start with the basics and work our way up to more complex material.

What will I learn in this course?

Some of the topics we will cover:

- Vector and scalar operations

- Cartesian vectors

- Projection of a force along a line

- Free body diagrams

- 2-D and 3-D equilibrium for particles and rigid bodies

- Moments of forces

- Couple moments

- Methods of joints and sections

- Centroids

- Moments of inertia

- Internal Loadings

- and more.

What do I need to know before starting?

The typical prerequisites for this class are Physics 1 and Calculus.  We will be using a few derivatives and integrals so you should be familiar with those concepts. We will cover everything else you need.

Is there a recommended textbook?

I, along with most students I've taught, really like the Engineering Mechanics - Statics text by Hibbeler.  If you don't already have a textbook this one would be a great resource, although it is not required for this course.   All the examples in this course come from the 14th Edition of Engineering Mechanics - Statics by Hibbeler.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction
Introduction Part 1 and Downloadable Outline of Notes
Introduction Part 2
Students wil be able to calculate force vectors and their components, find coordinate direction angles, use the dot product to calculate projection along a line
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2.1 Vector Addition
2.2 Vector Addition of Forces & Sine and Cosine Laws
2.3 Example 2
2.4 Example 3
2.5 Addition of a System of Coplanar Forces
2.6 Example 4
2.7 Force Resultants
2.8 Example 5
2.9 Example 6
2.10 Coordinate Direction Angles
2.11 Transverse and Azmuth Angles
2.12 Example 7
2.13 Example 8
2.14 Example 9
2.15 Position Vectors
2.16 Example 10
2.17 Example 11
2.18 Example 12
2.19 Dot Product
2.20 Example 13
2.21 Example 14
Test your knowledge
Exam 1 Problems and Problem 1 Solution
Problem 2 Solution
Problem 3 Solution
Students will be able to solve for forces in 2-D and 3-D equilibrium problems
3.1 2D Equilibrium
3.2 Example 15
3.3 Example 16
3.4 Example 17
3.5 3D Equilibrium & Example 18
3.6 Example 19
Students will be able to calculate 2D and 3D moments using scalar and vector methods
4.1 Scalar Moment
4.2 Calculating A Scalar Moment
4.3 Example 20
4.4 Example 21
4.5 Example 22
4.6 Cross Product
4.7 Vector Formation of Moments
4.8 Example 23
4.9 Example 24
4.10 Example 25
4.11 Moment About A Line
4.12 Example 26
4.13 Example 27
4.14 Couple Moments - Scalar Formation
4.15 Couple Moments - Vector Formation
4.16 Example 28
4.17 Example 29
4.18 Example 30
4.19 Equivalent Systems
4.20 Example 31
4.21 Example 32
4.22 Example 33
4.23 Example 34
Students will be able to analyze 2-D and 3-D rigid body equilibrium problems
5.1 2D Rigid Body Supports
5.2 2D Rigid Body Equilibrium
5.3 Example 35
5.4 Example 36
5.5 Example 37
5.6 3D Equilibrium
5.7 3D Equilibrium Equations
5.8 Example 38
5.9 Solving Systems of Equations with Matrices
5.10 Example 39
5.11 Example 40
Test your knowledge over chapters 3, 4, and 5
Exam 2 Problems and Problem 1 Solution
Students will be able to analyze trusses using the methods of sections and joints. In addition machines will be analyzed using the concept of Newton's 3rd Law.
6.1 Trusses and the Method of Joints
6.2 Example 41
6.3 Example 42
6.4 Method of Sections
6.5 Example 43
6.6 Example 44
6.7 Frames and Machines & Example 45
6.8 Example 46
6.9 Example 47
Students will be able to locate a body's center of gravity and centroid.
9.1 Centroids
9.2 Example 48
9.3 Example 49
9.4 Example 50
9.5 Composite Bodies
9.6 Example 51
9.7 Example 52
Students will be able to analyze a distributed load using concepts of centroids
9.8 Distributed Loads
9.9 Example 53
9.10 Example 54
Test your knowledge of chapters 6, 7, and 8
Exam 3 Problems and Problem 1 Solution

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Engineering Mechanics: Statics with these activities:
Review Trigonometry Concepts
Reinforce your understanding of trigonometric functions and their applications, as they are essential for vector analysis and force calculations in statics.
Browse courses on Trigonometry
Show steps
  • Review trigonometric identities and formulas.
  • Practice solving right triangle problems.
  • Work through example problems involving sine, cosine, and tangent.
Schaum's Outline of Statics
Supplement your learning with a Schaum's Outline to gain extra practice and solidify your understanding of core concepts.
Show steps
  • Read the relevant chapters in the Schaum's Outline.
  • Work through the solved problems.
  • Attempt the practice exercises and check your answers.
Engineering Mechanics - Statics by Hibbeler
Deepen your understanding of statics principles by working through additional examples and problems in a comprehensive textbook.
Show steps
  • Read the relevant chapters corresponding to the course syllabus.
  • Work through example problems in the textbook.
  • Attempt end-of-chapter problems for practice.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Free Body Diagram Practice
Improve your ability to draw accurate free body diagrams, a crucial skill for solving statics problems.
Show steps
  • Find statics problems online or in textbooks.
  • Draw free body diagrams for each problem.
  • Compare your diagrams with solutions.
  • Repeat with increasingly complex scenarios.
Tutor a Classmate in Statics
Reinforce your understanding of statics by explaining concepts and helping a classmate with their homework.
Show steps
  • Offer to help a classmate struggling with statics.
  • Review the relevant concepts together.
  • Work through example problems and explain your reasoning.
  • Answer their questions and provide guidance.
Create a Statics Problem Tutorial
Solidify your understanding by creating a tutorial explaining how to solve a specific type of statics problem.
Show steps
  • Choose a statics problem type (e.g., truss analysis).
  • Solve the problem step-by-step.
  • Create a written or video tutorial explaining each step.
  • Share your tutorial with peers for feedback.
Design a Simple Truss Structure
Apply your knowledge of truss analysis to design a simple truss structure that can support a specific load.
Show steps
  • Define the load and support conditions.
  • Design the truss geometry.
  • Analyze the truss using the method of joints or sections.
  • Verify the design's structural integrity.

Career center

Learners who complete Engineering Mechanics: Statics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Structural Engineer
A structural engineer analyzes and designs structures, ensuring their stability and safety under various loads. This course in Engineering Mechanics Statics helps build a foundation for understanding how forces act on rigid bodies, a core principle in structural analysis. The course covers topics like vector and scalar operations, free body diagrams, and equilibrium, all essential for a structural engineer to assess structural integrity and design safe, efficient structures. Mastery of free body diagrams, which this course emphasizes, is particularly crucial for visualizing and calculating forces acting on structural elements. Any aspiring structural engineer benefits from the deep dive into statics offered here.
Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace engineers design, develop, and test aircraft and spacecraft. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course provides crucial knowledge for understanding forces and moments acting on aerospace structures. The course's coverage of vector mechanics, equilibrium, and free body diagrams are directly applicable to analyzing the stability and control of aircraft and spacecraft. An aerospace engineer needs a firm grasp of statics to calculate loads on airframes, design control systems, and ensure structural integrity during flight. The detailed examples and step by step solutions in this course may give any aerospace engineer a leg up.
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers design and develop mechanical systems and devices. This course in Engineering Mechanics Statics helps build a foundation for analyzing forces and moments acting on mechanical components. A mechanical engineer uses principles of statics to design machines, engines, and other mechanical systems that are both safe and efficient. The course's emphasis on free body diagrams, equilibrium, and vector analysis directly applies to solving real-world mechanical engineering problems, such as determining stresses in machine parts or designing support structures. The course's coverage of moments of inertia and internal loadings may be useful.
Civil Engineer
Civil engineers design, construct, and maintain infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and buildings. This course in Engineering Mechanics Statics provides the fundamental knowledge needed to ensure the stability and safety of these structures. A civil engineer applies principles of statics to analyze forces, calculate stresses, and design structures that can withstand various loads. The course's focus on equilibrium, free body diagrams, and methods of joints and sections is directly relevant to structural analysis and design in civil engineering. Any civil engineer may find the course's wide array of examples to be helpful.
Robotics Engineer
Robotics engineers design, build, and program robots for various applications. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course is highly relevant to understanding the forces and moments acting on robot arms and joints. A robotics engineer uses principles of statics to analyze robot stability, determine motor torques, and design control systems. The course's coverage of vector mechanics, equilibrium, and free body diagrams helps in designing robots that can perform tasks accurately and safely. The course may be very helpful when approaching problems with a robotics system.
Automotive Engineer
Automotive engineers are involved in the design, development, and manufacturing of vehicles. This course in Engineering Mechanics Statics provides a strong foundation for understanding the forces and stresses acting on vehicle components. An automotive engineer applies principles of statics to analyze vehicle stability, suspension systems, and chassis design. The course's emphasis on free body diagrams, equilibrium, and moments of inertia is directly applicable to ensuring vehicle safety and performance. For anyone in this career, this course may be useful prior to delving into more advanced material.
Stress Analyst
A stress analyst uses computer simulations and mathematical models to predict how structures and components behave under stress. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course provides the foundational knowledge needed to understand the principles behind stress analysis. Principles of statics are useful for setting up simulations, interpreting results, and validating models. The course's coverage of equilibrium, free body diagrams, and internal loadings helps to accurately predict stress distributions and identify potential failure points. Typically, stress analysts possess an advanced degree.
Product Designer
Product designers create new products, focusing on both functionality and aesthetics. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course may be useful in understanding how forces affect the structural integrity of a product. A product designer can use principles of statics to analyze the stability and durability of designs, ensuring they meet performance requirements. The course's coverage of equilibrium and free body diagrams may help in optimizing product designs for strength and efficiency. This knowledge may be especially useful when designing products that bear a heavy load.
Manufacturing Engineer
Manufacturing engineers improve efficiency and productivity in manufacturing processes. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course provides a foundation for understanding the forces acting on equipment and materials in a manufacturing setting. Manufacturing engineers can use principles of statics to design stable and safe workstations, optimize material handling systems, and analyze the forces involved in machining and assembly processes. The course's coverage of equilibrium might be useful in ensuring the stability of manufacturing equipment.
Naval Architect
Naval architects design and oversee the construction and repair of ships and other marine vessels. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course may be useful in understanding hydrostatic forces and stability principles. A naval architect applies principles of statics to analyze vessel stability, calculate buoyancy forces, and design hull structures that can withstand hydrostatic pressure. The course's coverage of equilibrium and moments might be useful in ensuring the safe operation of marine vessels.
Architectural Engineer
Architectural engineers focus on the structural and mechanical systems of buildings, ensuring they are safe, efficient, and sustainable. This course in Engineering Mechanics Statics may be useful for building a foundation for understanding structural loads and stability. The course's topics such as free body diagrams, equilibrium, and moments of forces may help analyze building components and ensure structural integrity. An architectural engineer can also use the principles learned to design efficient HVAC and plumbing systems that integrate with the building's structure.
Test Engineer
Test engineers plan and conduct tests on products and systems to ensure they meet quality standards and performance requirements. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course might be useful in understanding the principles behind testing and how forces and loads affect the behavior of materials and structures. A test engineer can use this knowledge to design effective test setups, interpret test data, and identify potential failure points. The course's coverage of equilibrium may be helpful when designing experiments.
Quality Control Inspector
A quality control inspector examines products and materials to ensure they meet specified standards and requirements. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course may be useful in understanding how forces can affect the integrity and performance of products. A quality control inspector can use this knowledge to identify defects, assess compliance with standards, and ensure that products are safe and reliable. The course's discussion of measurements may be relevant to this role.
Drafter
Drafters prepare technical drawings and plans used by production and construction workers. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course may be useful in understanding the fundamental principles behind engineering designs. While a drafter typically uses computer-aided design software to create drawings, knowledge of statics can help them understand how structures and mechanisms function, which can improve the accuracy and clarity of their drawings. The course's coverage of diagrams might be useful for visually representing engineering concepts.
Technical Writer
Technical writers create documentation such as instruction manuals, how-to guides, and journal articles. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course may be useful in developing a basic understanding of engineering concepts related to statics. This understanding can enable effective communication of technical information to a broader audience. The course’s coverage of examples may be useful when explaining technical concepts to those without a technical background.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Engineering Mechanics: Statics.
This textbook comprehensive resource for statics, covering all the topics in the course with detailed explanations and numerous examples. It provides a strong foundation in the principles of statics and their applications to engineering problems. is particularly useful as a reference tool for solving complex problems and understanding advanced concepts. It is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.
Provides a concise overview of statics principles with numerous solved problems and practice exercises. It valuable resource for reinforcing your understanding of key concepts and developing problem-solving skills. This book is particularly helpful for students who need additional practice and want to test their knowledge. It serves as a useful supplement to the main textbook.

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