Wize University Physics Textbook (Master) > Equilibrium & Elasticity
Stability and Balance
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Stability
Stability:
- a measure of how likely an object is to topple over when pushed or moved
- how well a body or system maintains its equilibrium
- Stable objects are difficult to topple over, while unstable objects topple easily.
- An object's stability is directly related to its center of gravity and the base it rests on. In other words, it depends on the location of the object's center of mass with respect to the pivot or tipping point
Static Equilibrium:
- a physical state where an object, body or system is at rest and all opposing forces and torques are balanced.
- In this state, the object does not accelerate, tilt, or rotate, and the net force and net torque acting on it is zero.
An object is in Static Equilibrium if two conditions are satisfied:
1. Sum F's = 0 (all forces cancel or balance in the x, y, and z directions)
2. Sum T's = 0 (all torques cancel or balance about the x, y, and z axes)
There are 3 TYPES of EQUILIBRIUM:
- Stable: when displaced from equilibrium, the object will return to its original starting position, due to a net force or torque acting in a direction opposite to the direction of displacement. Requires that the object is not displaced beyond the 'tipping' point (eg. where the center of mass moves beyond the tipping point
2. Unstable: when displaced from equilibrium, the object will tip or fall over in the direction of the displacement, due to a net force or torque acting in the same direction as the displacement.
3. Neutral: if the object's equilibrium position is independent of displacements from its original position. An example would be a 'ball' - it will remain in equilibrium even if it is rolled forward or backward.
