Back to 'Unit 6: Rotational Statics and Dynamics'

Topic outline

  • 6.3: Applications of Statics

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    When performing calculations, the first step is to determine if the system is, in fact, in equilibrium. Recall from the previous section that two conditions must be met for a system to be in equilibrium: the system must not be accelerating and the torque must be zero. The second step is to draw a free-body diagram of the system. It is important to determine all of the forces acting upon the system. The third step is to solve the problem by applying the relevant conditions of equilibrium: force is zero, and torque is zero.