Stable equilibrium refers to a state in which a physical system is at rest and remains at rest when slightly disturbed from its position. This means that the system will return to its original position after the disturbance is removed.
In stable equilibrium, the system returns to its original position after a disturbance, while in unstable equilibrium, the system moves away from its original position and does not return.
One example of stable equilibrium is a pendulum at rest. When the pendulum is slightly pushed to one side, it will swing back and forth until it eventually comes to rest at its original position.
In a stable equilibrium, the system has the lowest possible potential energy. This means that any slight disturbance will cause the system to return to its original position, where it has the lowest potential energy.
Understanding stable equilibrium is crucial in engineering and design, as it allows for the creation of stable structures and machines. By ensuring that a system is in a state of stable equilibrium, engineers can design structures that are less likely to fail or collapse.