SECOND

CONDITION OF
EQUILIBRIUM
TORQUE AND EQUILIBRIUM
THE SECOND CONDITION
FOR EQUILIBRIUM
The condition for an object to be in rotational equilibrium is that the
sum of the torques acting on the object about any point must be zero.

 -
The sum of all the counterclockwise torques () must be equal to the
sum of all the clockwise torques () .

  =0
=(
(
(
 CASE 1: BAMBOO POLE
CARRIED AT EACH END
In a singkil dance, two men are carrying a princess on a bamboo pole that is 5.0 m long and
weighs 200 N. If the princess weighs 450 N and sits 1.5 m from one end, how much weight
must each man support? We assume that the diameter of the bamboo pole is uniform and the
weight of the pole is located at the center.

Given:  Solution:
length of bamboo = 5 m 1. Look for the forces first using the First Condition of
Weight of bamboo = 200 N Equilibrium
Weight of princess = 450 N =0
Distance of the princess from end of the pole = 1.5 m = + + (- ) + (- ) = 0
+ = +
Find: + = 200 N + 450 N
weight each man support + = 650 N
 CASE 1: BAMBOO POLE
CARRIED AT EACH END
In a singkil dance, two men are carrying a princess on a bamboo pole that is 5.0 m long and
weighs 200 N. If the princess weighs 450 N and sits 1.5 m from one end, how much weight
must each man support? We assume that the diameter of the bamboo pole is uniform and the
weight of the pole is located at the center.

 Solution:  
2. Specify the axis about which the torques will be
computed. Use the second condition of equilibrium to Solution:
solve. 3. Solve for the remaining unknown force using the first
= equation.
= + + = 650 N
= (200 N)(2.5m) + (450 N)(3.5m) + 415 N = 650 N
= (500Nm) + (1575Nm) = 235 N
(5.0m) = 2075Nm
= 415 N
 CASE 2: A MAN ON A
LADDER
A ladder 7.5 m long is leaning against a smooth (frictionless) wall at a point 7.0 m above the ground with its base
2.0 m from the wall. The ladder weighs 200 N and an 800- N painter stands two-thirds of the way up the ladder.

a. What is the normal force?

b. What frictional force must act on the bottom of the ladder to prevent it from slipping for the painter to be
safe?

Given:  
length of ladder = 7.5 m Solution:
Weight of ladder = 200 N 1. Look for the normal force (in y) using the First
Weight of painter = 800 N Condition of Equilibrium
Distance of the ladder from wall = 2.0 m =0
Distance of the ladder from ground = 7.0 m = + (- ) + ( - ) = 0
= (800 N) + (200 N)
Find:
a. Normal force = 1000 N
b. Frictional force to prevent slipping
 CASE 2: A MAN ON A
LADDER
A ladder 7.5 m long is leaning against a smooth (frictionless) wall at a point 7.0 m above the ground with its base
2.0 m from the wall. The ladder weighs 200 N and an 800- N painter stands two-thirds of the way up the ladder.

a. What is the normal force?

b. What frictional force must act on the bottom of the ladder to prevent it from slipping for the painter to be
safe?

   Solution:
Solution: 3. Suppose that the axis of rotation is at the base of the ladder. Use the
second condition of equilibrium to solve.
2. Look for the normal force (in x) using the First
Condition of Equilibrium =
=0 = +
= (200 N)(1.0m) + (800 N)(1.33m)
= + (- ) = 0 = (200Nm) + (1064Nm)
= (7.0m) = 1264Nm
= 180.57 Nm
TRY THIS!
A 500 – N diver stands at the end of a 4.0 m diving board. The diving
board is attached by two supports 1.5 m apart. Find the tension in each
of the two supports if the diving board weighs 150 N.

A firefighter who weighs 800 N climbs a uniform ladder and stops one
third of the way up the ladder. The ladder is 5.0 m long and weighs 180
N. It rests against a vertical wall, making an angle of 53° with the
ground. Find the normal and frictional forces in the ladder at its base.