Forces in balance
Resolve forces as vectors and find the reactions that keep a structure still.
Planned. This module is part of the plan and is not written yet.
Why it matters
The Lantern's 20 ft home container sits on top of the classroom container. Engineers have to show that every force on it balances, so it stays exactly where it is.
Draft outline · in review- For
- Level 12–13 · SSS 3 (WASSCE) to A level / JUPEB / foundation year
- Inside
- 5 lessons and a test · about 90 minutes
- Topic
- Statics · core, 2 of 4
Inside the module.
5 lessons in order, about 90 minutes in all, then a short test. Learners go at their own pace; the minutes are a guide, not a timetable.
Draft outline · in review
Lesson 1: Forces as vectors
A force has a size and a direction, so we draw it as an arrow.
Explain15 min, from minute 0
Lesson 2: Resolving into components
Split an angled force into horizontal and vertical parts with sine and cosine, and add forces by components.
Worked example20 min, from minute 15
Lesson 3: Equilibrium
Something stays still when the forces in each direction add to zero and the moments add to zero.
Explain15 min, from minute 35
Lesson 4: Reactions on a beam
Take moments about one support to find the force at the other.
Worked example20 min, from minute 50
Lesson 5: Simple structures
Find unknown forces on beams, brackets and a loaded shelf.
Practice20 min, from minute 70
End-of-module test
Resolve and add forces as vectors, and use equilibrium to find unknown forces on simple structures.
Mastered at 85% or more. Retake it until you pass; nothing is lost, and each try gives feedback.
Already know it? A Challenge Test (planned) clears the whole module: 90% overall, no objective below 75%.
Last stageafter about 90 min
Practicalities
Draft outline · in reviewBuilt to run offline
Planned to run on the Lantern's own computer, with no internet needed.
Languages
Planned first in English; every module aims to reach all of the Lantern's languages.
Try a question.
One question from the module, as a learner would meet it. Have a go, then open the worked solution a step at a time.
Draft outline · in review
A 4 m plank, whose own weight you can ignore, rests on a support at each end. A 600 N water drum stands 1 m from the left support. Find the upward force from each support.
Work it out on paper first, then show the answer and mark it yourself.
Particulars
Where it sits
What a learner can do after it
- Resolve forces into components and add them as vectors.
- Use equilibrium to find unknown forces on a simple structure.
Needs first
We suggest first (never a lock)
Unlocks
Nothing requires this module yet.
Level
Level 12–13 · SSS 3 (WASSCE) to A level / JUPEB / foundation year
Level mappings are approximate. A qualified teacher or lecturer in each country must check them before they appear in the app. Levels 13–18 describe the content, not the learner: “Level 15” means material usually taught in a second-year university course, whoever chooses to learn it.
Difficulty for its level
2 of 4 · Core
Time
About 90 minutes
Alignments
- Aligned to CORENintroduces · in reviewCOREN outcomes: engineering mechanics (descriptive ref)
Alignment in review until a qualified teacher or lecturer checks it. No exam body, university or vendor endorses us; learners still sit the real exam. University-level modules give knowledge, not university credit.
Challenge Test
Planned: a Challenge Test to prove you know it and skip it. Pass at 90% overall, with no objective below 75%.
University courses it previews
Engineering (all branches)
The route here.
Everything this module builds on, drawn as a route from its foundations. Solid lanes must be mastered first, or cleared by a Challenge Test; dashed lanes are suggestions that never lock anything.
- MA-NUM-POW-01Squares, cubes and rootsMaths · Primary 6 to JSS 2 (Level 6–8) · Planned
- MA-GEO-PYT-01Pythagoras' theoremMaths · JSS 2 to JSS 3 (BECE) (Level 8–9) · Planned Needs Squares, cubes and roots (required).
- MA-TRG-RAT-02Finding anglesMaths · SSS 1 (Level 10) · Planned · recommended
- MA-GEO-VEC-01Vectors: size and directionMaths · SSS 1 to SSS 2 (Level 10–11) · Planned Needs Pythagoras' theorem (required).
- EG-FND-STA-01Forces in balanceEngineering · SSS 3 (WASSCE) to A level / JUPEB / foundation year (Level 12–13) · Planned · the destination Needs Vectors: size and direction (required), Finding angles (recommended).
Help light the room where this is learned.
Every route on this map starts in a classroom with 24 stations, a tutor that works offline and a facilitator upstairs. Four are planned and waiting for light.