High School Is Equilibrium a Scalar or Vector Quantity?

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Equilibrium is defined as a state of a system where no changes occur, making it neither a scalar nor a vector quantity, and it lacks applicable units. While equilibrium can be analyzed in terms of stability (stable, unstable, and neutral), it does not have fundamental laws akin to Newton's laws of motion. Discussions suggest that while equilibrium can be described through existing physical laws, it is not productive to seek specific "laws of equilibrium." Instead, the concept of equilibrium is intertwined with broader physical principles, such as the laws of thermodynamics. Ultimately, equilibrium is a state rather than a quantifiable law or measurement.
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1 Is Equilibrium a Scalar or Vector quantity?
2 What is the unit of Equilibrium?

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar
 
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Equilibrium isn't a quantity, it's the state of a system such that the system no longer changes. As such it is neither a vector nor a scalar and the concept of units do not apply to it.
 
Thanks.

I mean Equilibrium cannot be measured similar to a Force applied?

Can we have Equilibrium laws similar to Newton's laws of motion?

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar
 
prashantakerkar said:
I mean Equilibrium cannot be measured similar to a Force applied?

No.

prashantakerkar said:
Can we have Equilibrium laws similar to Newton's laws of motion?

You can have rules which tell you what quantities you need for a system to reach equilibrium, if that's what you are asking.
 
Thanks.

Yes. I mean Similar to Newton's three laws of motion or law of conservation of momentum or law of conservation of energy or law of inertia can we derive laws of Equilibrium?

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar
 
prashantakerkar said:
Yes. I mean Similar to Newton's three laws of motion or law of conservation of momentum or law of conservation of energy or law of inertia can we derive laws of Equilibrium?

Are you working on a science fiction story?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermodynamic_equilibrium said:
Thermodynamic equilibrium is an axiomatic concept of thermodynamics.

Equilibrium is not a law or laws. If you read more of that Wikipedia article, you will see the kinds of things needed to make equilibrium.
 
prashantakerkar said:
Yes. I mean Similar to Newton's three laws of motion or law of conservation of momentum or law of conservation of energy or law of inertia can we derive laws of Equilibrium?

While you can find the equilibrium for a particular system, there are no fundamental 'equilibrium laws' like there are with Newton's laws of motion and other laws in physics. Remember that equilibrium is just one particular state of a system. There are potentially an infinite number of states and you could easily ask if we can derive 'laws' for these states as well.

One interesting point of view is that the laws you are asking about are simply the fundamental physical laws that already govern everything, such as Newton's laws.
 
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prashantakerkar said:
Yes. I mean Similar to Newton's three laws of motion or law of conservation of momentum or law of conservation of energy or law of inertia can we derive laws of Equilibrium?
I do not think that counting out numbered laws is a productive way to approach physics. However, in this case you might consider the three laws of thermodynamics. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laws_of_thermodynamics.
 
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Thank you.

Maybe Three laws of Equilibrium according to states ?

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar
 
  • #11
prashantakerkar said:
There are three types of Equilibrium namely Stable, Unstable & Neutral.

Can't we derive laws of Equilibrium depending upon the three types in physics?

That is analogous to a ball sitting at the bottom of a valley, at the top of a hill, or on a flat surface. There are no special laws or equations for that. Stability is a property of an equation.
 

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