Equilibrium and Force Systems

These flashcards cover essential concepts related to torque, equilibrium, and force systems based on the lecture notes.

Torque

Also called Moment of a Force, it measures the tendency of a force to cause rotation about an axis.

Couple

A pair of parallel forces equal in magnitude, opposite in direction, acting on the same body.

Resultant Force

The complete definition of the resultant is based on its magnitude, direction, and line of action.

Translational Equilibrium

A condition where the net force acting on an object is zero, resulting in zero linear acceleration.

Rotational Equilibrium

A state where an object experiences zero net torque and has zero angular rotation.

Static Equilibrium Conditions

1. The sum of all forces in the x-direction is zero. 2. The sum of all forces in the y-direction is zero.

Indeterminate System

A force system involving more than three unknowns, which cannot be solved using the equilibrium conditions.

Nonconcurrent Force System

Forces that do not intersect at a single point but can still produce rotation.

Moment Arm

The perpendicular distance from the line of action of the force to the axis of rotation.

Centroid of Load Diagram

The point at which the resultant of a distributed load acts, determined by the area of the load diagram.

Net Force

The vector sum of all forces acting on an object; in equilibrium, it is zero.

Acceleration in Equilibrium

An object at equilibrium can either be at rest or in motion with constant velocity.