<p>Has anyone here worked on static equilibrium in physics? I usually do well in physics but we have this student teacher who has been teaching the chapter and she is quite possibly the worst teacher ever. The problem is our text book does a pretty poor job of explaining how to do the problems also, so I got extremely lost in this unit as has the rest of the class. However, the rest of the class has time after school to spend getting one on one help from the teacher but between work, my other classes and soccer I just don't have time to stay at school getting help. So, anyone want to explain how to do static equilibrium problems to me?</p>
<p>It's simple. In order for systems to be in static equilibrium, certain conditions must be met. That is, the net force being applied in all directions must equate to zero. I'm assuming you are working with 2-dimensional problems, so: The sum of the forces in the x-direction = 0 and The sum of the forces in the y-direction = 0. Once you've established your x and y axes, draw a free-body diagram showing all of the forces being applied to the system. Evaluate the x and y components of these forces (keeping in mind of direction) and set the x-direction/y-direction equations up accordingly. As stated above, each equation should equal 0. Once you find one variable, you should be able to plug it in to find another and another and another, etc.</p>
<p>Exactly. Draw EVERYTHING out, and I mean applied force, tension, frictrional force, weight, centripedal force, everything, to such detail that you'd think you were in slow-ppl physics, doesn't matter. If you do this, and consolidate x and y forces like dei gratia said, you'll never get a problem wrong.</p>