ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces forces and their application. It describes the types of force which may be encountered. It explains how forces and force systems may be analysed using vectors. The chapter introduces the concept of equilibrium. It shows how the concept of equilibrium can be used to analyse force systems containing two or more forces. The chapter explains how forces acting on bodies or systems create moments and couples. Statics is the analysis of stationary objects under the influence of forces of various types. From Newton's first law of motion, a body can remain stationary only if there is no force acting on the body. Applied forces are applied from an external source, such as when a block is suspended by a rope. Newton's third law says that for every applied force there is a reactive force present. Internal forces are the equal and opposite reactions to the externally applied loads.
