Conceptual question on transitional and rotational equilibrium

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
1 reply · 4K views
xregina12
Messages
26
Reaction score
0
3 forces act on an object. If the object is in translational equilibrium, which of the following must be true?
1. the vector sum of the forces =0
2. the magnitude of the 3 forces must be equal
3. the 3 forces must be parallel


would the answer be just 1? I don't think 2 is true because the forces can be unequal but the net force needs to be = 0. And I don't know how what's stated in choice 3 must necessarily contribute to translational equilibirum. Thanks for any imput.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi xregina12! :smile:
xregina12 said:
3 forces act on an object. If the object is in translational equilibrium, which of the following must be true?
1. the vector sum of the forces =0
2. the magnitude of the 3 forces must be equal
3. the 3 forces must be parallel

would the answer be just 1?

Yup! :biggrin:

(Don't worry … you know they put in extra wrong answers just to confuse you :wink:)​