For equilibrium the net moment acting on the body by various forces is...
The equilibrium is only attained if the net moment on the body tends to be equal to zero. Thus the moments caused by different forces cancels out. If this happens there is no motion of the body along any direction and hence the body is said to be in equilibrium. The body here is a rigid body.
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For equilibrium the net moment acting on the body by various forces is...
Equilibrium and Net Moment
Equilibrium refers to a state in which a body is at rest or moving with a constant velocity, and there is no net force or net moment acting on it. When a body is in equilibrium, it means that the forces and moments acting on it are balanced, resulting in a zero net force and zero net moment.
Definition of Moment
Moment is the rotational equivalent of force. It is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about a point or axis. The moment of a force is calculated by multiplying the magnitude of the force by the perpendicular distance from the point or axis of rotation.
Net Moment and Equilibrium
For a body to be in equilibrium, the net moment acting on it must be zero. This means that the sum of all the moments acting on the body must be equal to zero.
If the net moment is not zero, the body will experience rotational motion. In other words, it will start to rotate or continue rotating at a constant angular velocity.
Mathematical Expression
Mathematically, the condition for equilibrium of moments can be expressed as:
ΣM = 0
Where ΣM represents the sum of all the moments acting on the body and should be equal to zero for equilibrium.
Demonstration
To understand this concept, consider a simple example of a seesaw. When two people of equal weight sit on either side of the seesaw, the seesaw remains in equilibrium. This is because the moments due to the weight of the two people are equal and opposite, resulting in a net moment of zero.
If one person moves closer to the pivot point, the moment due to their weight increases, while the moment due to the other person's weight decreases. As a result, the net moment becomes nonzero, causing the seesaw to rotate.
Conclusion
In conclusion, for equilibrium to be achieved, the net moment acting on a body must be zero. This means that the sum of all the moments acting on the body should cancel each other out. Equilibrium is an important concept in mechanics, as it helps us understand the conditions necessary for a body to remain at rest or move with a constant velocity.
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