M5 June 2014 Q3

EdexcelOld spec9 marksMomentsVectors

3. Three forces \(\mathbf{F}_1\), \(\mathbf{F}_2\) and \(\mathbf{F}_3\) act on a rigid body at the points with position vectors \(\mathbf{r}_1\), \(\mathbf{r}_2\) and \(\mathbf{r}_3\) respectively.

\(\mathbf{F}_1 = (2\mathbf{i} + 3\mathbf{j} - \mathbf{k})\) N and \(\mathbf{r}_1 = (\mathbf{i} + \mathbf{j} - 2\mathbf{k})\) m,
\(\mathbf{F}_2 = (\mathbf{i} - 4\mathbf{j} - 2\mathbf{k})\) N and \(\mathbf{r}_2 = (3\mathbf{i} - \mathbf{j} - \mathbf{k})\) m,
\(\mathbf{F}_3 = (-3\mathbf{i} + \mathbf{j} + 3\mathbf{k})\) N and \(\mathbf{r}_3 = (\mathbf{i} - 2\mathbf{j} + \mathbf{k})\) m.

Show that the system is equivalent to a couple and find the magnitude of the vector moment of this couple. (9)