Physics Lesson 11/2

EQ: How can you find the force required for equilibrium?

OBJ: Students will use technology to find the force required for equilibrium

So far we have only considered only motion along a horizontal surface.

Now we will analyze situations in which the forces are at angles other than 90 

Recall that when the net force on an object is zero, the object is in equilibrium.

Newton's laws tell us that the object will not accelerate because there is no net force on it.

So, an object in equilibrium moves at a constant velocity (Remember staying at rest is a form of constant velocity)

Let's add a few vectors on the board.

F_A, F_B, F_C

What is the sum of the vectors?

0

Now suppose you have a situation where two forces are exerted on an object an the sum is not zero. How could you find a third force that when added to the other two, would ad up to zero to put the object in equilibrium?

The single force that produces the same effect as the two or more individual forces together is called the resultant force.

In order to put the object in equilibrium, you must add another force calle the equilibrant, that has the same magnitude as the resultant force, but is in the oppositie direction.

Back to the board