Physics › Section G · Statics, torque, and rotation › Topic G.1
The two conditions for equilibrium
Bridges, shelves, cranes and seesaws all stay put because the forces on them cancel in two separate ways. Learning both conditions, and the idea of torque behind the second, lets you find forces in structures you could never measure directly.
In this topic
- When balanced forces are not enough
- The first condition: zero net force
- Torque: the turning effect of a force
- The lever arm
- Which way it turns: the sign convention
- The second condition: zero net torque
- Choosing the pivot
- Worked example: balancing a seesaw
- Worked example: a plank on two supports
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Key takeaways
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