Classification of Force System

Force System

A system with more than one force acting on a body  is called Force System.

Consider the figure below

The body is acted upon by 3 forces  namely F1, F2 and F3. This collection of forces acting on the body is called  force system.

Classification of force system

Force system can be classified as follows:-

1. Coplanar Force System

When all the forces acting on a body lie on the same plane such forces are called coplanar forces and system of such forces is called coplanar force system.

For Example

2. Collinear Force System

When all the force acting on a  body lie in the  same line of action, (The forces can may or may not be on the same plane) such forces are called collinear forces and system of such forces is called collinear force system.

For Example

3. Concurrent Force System

When line of action of all the  forces acting on a body pass through the same point such forces are called concurrent forces and such force system is called concurrent force system. 

For Example

Concurrent Force System

4. Parallel Force System

When all the forces acting on a body are parallel to each other, such forces are called parallel forces and the system of such forces is called parallel force system.

For Example

5. Non Coplanar force System

When all the forces acting on a body does not lie on the same plane, system of such forces is called non coplanar force system. 

For Example