Question

What do we know about the net total of all the torques applied to a system thatis free to rotate about a pivot point if that system is in a balanced condition (notrotating)?

Answer 1

If torque is applied to a system that is in equilibrium we notice that there is no rotation, therefore, there is no angular acceleration. The equation for the net torque is:

`T=I\alpha`

Where

`\begin{gathered} T=\text{ net torque} \\ I=\text{ moment of inertia} \\ \alpha=\text{ acceleration} \end{gathered}`

Since there is no rotation we have:

`\alpha=0`

Substituting in the formula for torque:

`T=0`

Therefore, the net torque is zero when the system is in equilibrium.