Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
Equilibrium refers to a state where all forces acting on an object are balanced, resulting in no net acceleration or change in motion. In equilibrium, the sum of all forces and torques acting on an object is zero.
Static Equilibrium: Static equilibrium occurs when an object is at rest and experiences no net force or torque.
Dynamic Equilibrium: Dynamic equilibrium occurs when an object is moving at a constant velocity in a straight line, experiencing no net force or torque.
Torque is the rotational equivalent of force. It causes objects to rotate around an axis and depends on both the magnitude of the force applied and its distance from the axis of rotation.