Final answer:
The force in member GE of a structure can be determined using the method of sections by solving the system of equilibrium equations. The sign of the force indicates if GE is in tension or compression. The magnitude of the force relates to the stress in GE.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the force in member GE using the method of sections, and classify it as tension or compression, the equilibrium equations will be employed on the section of the structure that includes member GE. The method of sections involves cutting through some of the members of a truss (but not more than three), and then analyzing the cut section as a free body to determine the forces in the members being cut.
Once the free body diagram is drawn, the sum of forces in both the horizontal and vertical directions will be set to zero, as well as the sum of moments at a point. This leads to a system of equations that can solve for unknown forces, including the force in member GE.
When the calculated force is positive, this indicates that member GE is in tension, meaning it is being pulled apart. Conversely, a negative value indicates that member GE is in compression, being pushed together. The magnitude of the force will correspond to the stress experienced by the member, which can be calculated with the formula σ = F/A, where σ is the stress, F is the force, and A is the cross-sectional area of the member.