[NOTES/ME-06004]-Stable, Unstable and Neutral Equilibria

Consider a the case of a body moving in a potential which is flat in neighbourhood of point \(x=a\). The first derivative of the potential will be zero at \(x=a\). What kind of behaviour the system will exhibit when placed near the point \(x=a\)? At point \(x=a\) and in its neighbourhood the force on the body vanishes. If placed at rest, it will remain in equilibrium. If the body is displaced to a neighbouring point, brought to rest and left, it will remain in equilibrium for the same reason. In such a case we say that the body is in neutral equilibrium. A cone placed on a table is an example that exhibits all the three kinds of equilibria.

REFERENCES

1. Kleppner and Kolenkow, An Introduction to Mechanics, Cambridge University Press, Second Edn (2014) See Ch6 \(\S6.3\) p240.
2. \https://www.embibe.com/study/examples-on-stable-unstable-and-neutral-equilibrium-concept}{Click to Watch a Video}\\ or, Copy paste url:: \url{https://www.embibe.com/study/examples-on-stable-unstable-and-neutral-equilibrium-concept}
3. \https://courses.lumenlearning.com/physics/chapter/9-3-stability/ Click to Learn More