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College Physics

Glossary

College PhysicsGlossary

center of gravity: the point where the total weight of the body is assumed to be concentrated

dynamic equilibrium: a state of equilibrium in which the net external force and torque on a system moving with constant velocity are zero

mechanical advantage: the ratio of output to input forces for any simple machine

neutral equilibrium: a state of equilibrium that is independent of a system’s displacements from its original position

perpendicular lever arm: the shortest distance from the pivot point to the line along which $F$ lies

SI units of torque: newton times meters, usually written as N·m

stable equilibrium: a system, when displaced, experiences a net force or torque in a direction opposite to the direction of the displacement

static equilibrium: a state of equilibrium in which the net external force and torque acting on a system is zero

static equilibrium: equilibrium in which the acceleration of the system is zero and accelerated rotation does not occur

torque: turning or twisting effectiveness of a force

unstable equilibrium: a system, when displaced, experiences a net force or torque in the same direction as the displacement from equilibrium

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- Authors: Paul Peter Urone, Roger Hinrichs
- Publisher/website: OpenStax
- Book title: College Physics
- Publication date: Jun 21, 2012
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/college-physics/pages/1-introduction-to-science-and-the-realm-of-physics-physical-quantities-and-units
- Section URL: https://openstax.org/books/college-physics/pages/9-glossary

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