System Equilibrium Example Problem (2024)

System Equilibrium Example Problem (1)
System Equilibrium Example Problem (2)
System Equilibrium Example Problem (3)
System Equilibrium Example Problem (4)

Lecture 7
Example Problem

Equations of EquilibriumGiven:
two force systems as shown above.
Determine:
whether or not equilibrium has been satisfied.
System Equilibrium Example Problem (5)

Solution:
In order for a system to be in equilibrium, it must satisfy all three equations of equilibrium,
Sum F

x = 0, Sum Fy = 0 and Sum M = 0.

Begin with the sum of the forces equations. The simplest way to solve these force systems would be to break the diagonal forces into their component pars. From observation, each diagonal is the "5" side of a 3-4-5 triangle. Therefore, the side marked "3" has a value of 3/5 of the value of the diagonal and the side marked "4" is equal to 4/5 the value of the diagonal.

Now, using the components, solve for the sum of forces equations.

Sum Fx = 4/5 (60k) - 3/5 (80k) = 48 - 48 = 0

Sum Fy = 100k - 3/5 (60) - 4/5 (80) = 100 - 36 - 64 = 0

Both systems satisfy the sum of forces equations for equilibrium.

Now solve for the sum of moments equation. The system on the left is in moment equilibrium because it is a concurrent force system. Take the sum of the moments at their point of intersection. For each force, the moment arm is equal to zero. Once equilibrium has been established using this single point, the sum of the moments for that force system will be zero for any point on that plane.

The force system on the right is not in moment equilibrium. Taking the sum of moments around the same point as before, the moment arm of the two diagonal forces are zero, but the 100# force will cause a clockwise rotation. This system cannot be put into equilibrium with a single force because that would disrupt the sum of forces equations. The easiest solution would be an applied moment, equal in magnitude to that caused by the 100# force, but opposite in sense.

Copyright © 1995, 1996 by Chris H. Luebkeman and Donald Peting
Copyright © 1997 by Chris H. Luebkeman
System Equilibrium Example Problem (2024)

FAQs

What is an example of a system at equilibrium? ›

Systems in equilibrium are balanced. For example, if you are running on a treadmill you are in constant motion. However, you are not moving forward or backwards. As fast as you run forward the treadmill is moving you backwards.

How do you solve equilibrium problems easily? ›

Use the stepwise process described earlier.
  1. Determine the direction the reaction proceeds. ...
  2. Determine the relative changes needed to reach equilibrium, then write the equilibrium concentrations in terms of these changes. ...
  3. Solve for the change and the equilibrium concentrations. ...
  4. Check the arithmetic.

What is an example of an equilibrium equation? ›

hom*ogeneous Equilibrium

For example: O2 (g) + N2 (g) ⇌ 2NO (g) Reactions in which the total amount of reactant molecules is not equal to the number of molecules in the products. For example: Cl2 (g) + CO (g) ⇌ COCl2(g)

What is an example of a solution equilibrium? ›

A well-known example is the addition of a concentrated solution of ammonia to a suspension of silver chloride, in which dissolution is favoured by the formation of an ammine complex. When sufficient ammonia is added to a suspension of silver chloride, the solid dissolves.

What is a short example of equilibrium? ›

An example of equilibrium in everyday life is a book on a table at rest. Here the weight of the book and the reaction force exerted by the table on the book cancel each other thus keeping the book in static equilibrium.

What is an example of a system with stable equilibrium? ›

A ship is said to be in stable equilibrium if, when inclined, she tends to return to the initial position. For this to occur the center of gravity must be below the metacenter; that is, the ship must have positive initial metacentric height.

What is an example of equilibrium in math? ›

To find the equilibrium price a mathematical formula can be used. The equilibrium price formula is based on demand and supply quantities; you will set quantity demanded (Qd) equal to quantity supplied (Qs) and solve for the price (P). This is an example of the equation: Qd = 100 - 5P = Qs = -125 + 20P.

What is the formula for solving equilibrium? ›

How to calculate equilibrium quantity? It can be calculated by solving the demand and supply function (Qa – bP = x + yP). Solving the equation when the supply equals the demand gives an equilibrium price.

How do you solve for equilibrium solutions? ›

How to find equilibrium solutions. When having a differential equation we say the solution is an equilibrium solution if the derivative of it with respect to the independent value is equal to zero. This means the slope of the tangent line of the function is horizontal, balanced and so it has a zero value of inclination ...

How to find the equilibrium of a system? ›

In order for a system to be in equilibrium, it must satisfy all three equations of equilibrium, Sum Fx = 0, Sum Fy = 0 and Sum M = 0. Begin with the sum of the forces equations. The simplest way to solve these force systems would be to break the diagonal forces into their component pars.

What is an example of an equilibrium constant problem? ›

(Remember that equilibrium constants are unitless.) A more complex example of this type of problem is the conversion of n-butane, an additive used to increase the volatility of gasoline, into isobutane (2-methylpropane). K=[isobutane][n-butane]. Thus the equilibrium constant for the reaction as written is 2.6.

What are the 2 types of equilibrium with examples? ›

Rotational equilibrium – A body moves in a circular path with constant velocity. Static equilibrium – A wall – hanging, hanging on the wall. Dynamic equilibrium – A ball descends down in a fluid with its terminal velocity. Unstable equilibrium – A pencil standing on its tip.

What is an example of equilibrium balance? ›

A balanced seesaw and a book at rest on a table surface are typical examples of objects in static equilibrium. There are three types or states of equilibrium, namely, stable, unstable, and neutral.

What is an easy example of unstable equilibrium? ›

A system is in unstable equilibrium if, when displaced, it experiences a net force or torque in the same direction as the displacement from equilibrium. A system in unstable equilibrium accelerates away from its equilibrium position if displaced even slightly. An obvious example is a ball resting on top of a hill.

How to find stable equilibrium? ›

1 The equilibrium point q is said to be stable if given ϵ > 0 there is a δ > 0 such that φ(t, p) − q < ϵ for all t > 0 and for all p such that p − q < δ. If δ can be chosen not only so that the solution q is stable but also so that φ(t, p) → q as t → ∞, then q is said to be asymptotically stable.

What systems are in equilibrium? ›

Two systems are in thermal equilibrium when their temperatures are the same. Two systems are in mechanical equilibrium when their pressures are the same. Two systems are in diffusive equilibrium when their chemical potentials are the same. All forces are balanced and there is no significant external driving force.

Which of these examples represents a system at equilibrium? ›

Explanation: Out of the given examples, the system at equilibrium is when five swimmers jump into the water at the same time as five others get out of the water. In a chemical system, equilibrium occurs when the forward reaction rate equals the reverse reaction rate.

How to tell if a system is at equilibrium? ›

Q can be used to determine which direction a reaction will shift to reach equilibrium. If K > Q, a reaction will proceed forward, converting reactants into products. If K < Q, the reaction will proceed in the reverse direction, converting products into reactants. If Q = K then the system is already at equilibrium.

What are examples of equilibrium conditions? ›

Static Equilibrium Example

We see that a stick is lying on a smooth flat surface with two equal and opposite forces acting upon it. It is evident that the horizontal forces ∑Fx= Fnetx= 0 and the vertical forces ∑Fy = Fnety = 0, and hence, the stick is either at rest or moving with constant velocity.

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