18. (Problem Solving)
Assessment Objectives
At the end of each chapter, there will be a list of the types of problems you might expect to be tested on in homework problems and exams. This list will be followed by pages with tips about solving these types of problems. At the current time (Summer 2025) these are not all complete, but will be added during the course of the Fall semester.General Skills
- Draw a force diagram of the forces on an object.
- Fill out a force table .
- Use a force table to solve an equilibrium problem .
- Recognize the importance of a basis.
- Find the components of a force acting at an angle. (See Component Form in the Vectors appendix.) You can practice this here .
- Solve an equilibrium problem involving a block on a ramp, with a tilted axis.
Specific Force Types
- Recognize that the static frictional force is normally an adjustable force. (cf Static Friction)
- Solve Slipping Problems, using the static friction breaking point to find the extreme value of some other quantity.
- Given the mass of an object, calculate its weight, and vice versa.
Torque
- Calculate the torque on an object due to a force, where the torque is perpendicular to the lever-arm.
- Calculate the torque when it is not perpendicular to the lever-arm.
- Solve an equilibrium problem involving torques.