alleryStart learning →A ball rests exactly on top of a hill. Nudged slightly, it accelerates further away from the crest. What kind of equilibrium was it in?
AStable equilibrium
BNeutral equilibrium
CDynamic equilibrium
DUnstable equilibrium
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. Unstable equilibrium
1. On the crest the ball is balanced, so both equilibrium conditions are met before the nudge.
2. Once displaced it feels a net force in the same direction as the displacement.
3. A system that accelerates away from its equilibrium position when displaced is in unstable equilibrium.
4. Stable equilibrium would have returned the ball to the crest, which is not what happens.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 9 "Statics and Torque", section 9.3 Stability_
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