Static Equilibrium Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Static Equilibrium - Coursework Example An object with zero acceleration does not imply that, it is at rest. Objects in equilibrium state are at rest and staying at rest or in momentum and continue to be in momentum with the same speed and direction. This concept also emanates from Newton’s first law of motion (Herbert 135) When an object is at a condition of rest and the forces acting upon its particles are balanced (Equilibrium) then such as situation is referred as static equilibrium. The term static implies a stationary state or a condition of rest. The sum total amount of forces acting upon an object in equilibrium also known as the vector sum is equivalent to 0 Newton (Cathrine 1) An object has to be in a stationary state, the must also not be in a state of transitional acceleration as well as rotational acceleration. In addition, the vector total of all the external forces acting upon it must be zero: ∑ F = 0 Since this object is at equilibrium, the magnitude of the forces represented as Force A, Force B, Force C and Force D acting upon it are balanced. This also implies that the horizontal and the vertical forces sum up to 0 Newton. One method that can be used to measure and establish whether an object is in equilibrium or not is an instance where an object is tied and hanged on two strings attached to weighing scales simultaneously. The diagram is indicated below; The magnitude of the forces acting upon the object is shown by the measurement indicated on scale 1 and scale 2 as well as the magnitude of force A (Cathrine 3) An example of an object at a static equilibrium can also be demonstrated by a box that rests on the floor. The box is impacted on by two external forces at different directions that is, the gravitational force that pulls the box to the centre of the earth. An equivalent force is also impacted by the floor on the box (pushes the box