23. Static Equilibrium

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• Syllabus
• Introduction to Mechanics

  • 1. Units and Dimensional Analysis
  • 2. Problem Solving and Estimation
• Mathematics: The Language of Science

  • 3. Cartesian Coordinates and Vectors
• Translational Kinematics

  • 4. One-Dimensional Kinematics and Free Fall
  • 5. One-Dimensional Kinematics: Non-Constant Acceleration
  • 6. Two-Dimensional Kinematics
• Force and Newton's Laws of Motion

  • 7. Concept of Force
  • 8. Applications of Newton's Second Law
• Circular Motion

  • 9. Circular Motion Kinematics
  • 10. Circular Motion Dynamics
• Conservation of Energy

  • 11. Work and Energy
  • 12. Work and the Dot Product
  • 13. Potential Energy
  • 14. Application of Energy Conservation
  • 15. Mechanical Energy and the Simple Harmonic Oscillator
• Momentum

  • 16. Momentum and Impulse
  • 17. Systems, Center of Mass, and Conservation of Momentum
  • 18. Collision Theory
  • 19. Continuous Mass Flow
• Two-Dimensional Rotational Motion

  • 20. Two-Dimensional Rotational Kinematics
  • 21. Two-Dimensional Rotational Dynamics
  • 22. Torque and the Simple Harmonic Oscillator
  • 23. Static Equilibrium
• Angular Momentum

  • 24. Angular Momentum
  • 25. Conservation of Angular Momentum
• Rotation and Translation

  • 26. Two-Dimensional Rotation and Translation Kinematics
  • 27. Two-Dimensional Rotation and Translation Dynamics
• Central Force Motion

  • 28. Central Force Motion and the Kepler Problem
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Learning Objectives

• Be able to determine the conditions under which a rigid body is in static equilibrium.
• Be able to calculate the magnitude and direction of the torque about any point due to any force using vector decomposition and the cross product.
• Be able to calculate the magnitude of the torque about any point due to any force using the lever-arm for the perpendicular distance or the perpendicular component of the force.
• Analyze a rigid-body statics situation using a systematic methodology. Be able to:
  • choose a co-ordinate system based on the specific situation in the problem;
  • determine the net force and net torque about a suitable point on a rigid body;
  • apply the conditions of static equilibrium to determine conditions that the forces must satisfy.

Preparation

Course Notes

Notes: Static Equilibrium (PDF - 2.7MB)

Suggested Textbook Reading (Optional)

Chapter 11.1-11.3. Young, Hugh D., Roger A. Freedman, and A. Lewis Ford. Sears and Zemansky's University Physics: with Modern Physics. 12th ed. San Francisco, CA: Addison-Wesley, 2007. ISBN: 9780805321876.

Lecture Video

Video Excerpts

Learning Activities

Guided Activities

Read through the class slides carefully. They explain all of the concepts from the module.

Slides: Static Equilibrium (PDF - 1.2MB)

Self-Assessment

Do the Concept Questions first to make sure you understand the main concepts from this module. Then, when you are ready, try the Challenge Problems. If you are struggling with the Challenge Problems, watch the Homework Help Session videos, which will give you tips on how to tackle problems of this type.

Concept Questions

Concept Questions (PDF)

Solutions (PDF)

Challenge Problems

Challenge Problems (PDF)

Solutions (PDF)

Problem Solving Help

In the following videos Prof. Walter Lewin explains how to approach the Challenge Problems.

Help Session 1

{'English - US': '/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/two-dimensional-rotational-motion/static-equilibrium/help-session-1/MeT8CEVLIgg.srt'}

Help Session 2

{'English - US': '/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/two-dimensional-rotational-motion/static-equilibrium/help-session-2/KYOyvyXq-jQ.srt'}

Related Resources

There are countless resources available online to help you learn physics. Try these:

• Read about equilibrium from Dr. Doug Davis at Eastern Illinois University:
  • First Condition of Equilibrium
  • Second Condition of Equilibrium
• Read the Physics material on Connexions:
  • Equilibrium
  • Nature of Equilibrium

 

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