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A rigid bar has zero net force but a nonzero net torque. The bar is:
AIn full equilibrium
BIn stable equilibrium
CIn neutral equilibrium
DNot in equilibrium
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. Not in equilibrium
1. Equilibrium demands both conditions, not just one.
2. The first condition is that the net external force on the system must be zero.
3. The net external force must be zero, and the net torque must also be zero.
4. Here only the first condition is met.
5. So the bar is not in equilibrium, and it will undergo accelerated rotation.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics for AP Courses 2e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 9 'Statics and Torque', sections 9.1-9.5_
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