Equilibrium - GCSE Physics Definition

In GCSE Physics, 'equilibrium' refers to a state in which all the forces acting on an object are balanced, resulting in the object being either at rest or moving at a constant velocity. This means there is no net force acting on the object, causing it to remain in a stable condition without accelerating. There are two types of equilibrium: static equilibrium, where the object is at rest, and dynamic equilibrium, where the object moves with constant speed in a straight line. Understanding equilibrium is crucial for analysing problems involving forces, such as determining if a structure will remain standing or if an object will slide.