Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The second condition of equilibrium states that for an object to be in rotational equilibrium, the sum of the torques acting on it must be zero. In other words, the net torque acting on an object must be balanced.
Torque is a measure of how effectively a force can cause an object to rotate. It depends on both the magnitude and direction of the force as well as the lever arm.
The center of mass is a point within an object where its entire mass can be considered to be concentrated. It behaves as if all external forces are applied at this point.