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Assuming that the question is "Can a body in free fall be in equilibrium?" A system (or body) is said to be in equilibrium if there is no net force and no net torque (turning effect produced by the forces). a net force means that no resulting force is acting on the object. The force of the body (according to Newton's second law of motion F=MA) is the product of the mass of the object and its acceleration. In this case, the object's acceleration would be the acceleration of free fall. Applying this in the context of this question: As soon as the fluid resistance (air resistance) is equal and opposite to the weight of the body (it's force according to the product of its mass and acceleration); the object has no resultant force. However, the body is still travelling towards the centre of the gravitational field (If it was a planet, it would be the centre of the planet) and as you travel towards the centre of the gravitational field, the acceleration due to free-fall increases according to the law of gravitation attraction. This would resultant in more force (and thus weight) and air resistance would have to be equal and opposite to result in no net force acting on the body. According to the law of gravitational attraction, the force (weight of an object) is governed by the product of the gravitational constant and the mass of the 2 objects involved and all this divided by the square of the distance between them. Applying this to the question, the body's force increases the closer it gets to the object it is going towards. So it may not be easily possible to achieve a zero net force in which the object does not accelerate. However, the other criteria for equilibrium is that there is no net torque (no resultant turning effect of the forces on the body). So long as the object does not rotate or turn then there is no resultant torque. In conclusion, a body in free fall can only be in free fall if it has no resultant force. No resultant force can only be achieved inside a fluid (something that flows like a gas or liquid) to stop the object from accelerating. If it is inside a fluid, fluid resistance will eventually equal the weight of the object and will result in no resultant force acting. However, in space (assuming that the gravitational attraction of the body that you are going towards is still acting), the body will not encounter fluid resistance so it will continue to speed up according to the acceleration of free-fall and it will have a resultant force. The other criteria for equilibrium is no resultant torque; so long as the object does not rotate, it has no resultant torque. So if the object is in space and still under the influence of the gravitational field the body is accelerating towards, it is not in equilibrium as it has a resultant force. But if it is inside a fluid and is encountering an equal but opposite force and results in a zero net force and zero net torque...it is in a state of equilibrium

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The states that exists when the only force acting on an object is gravity?

The two states that exist when the only force acting on an object is gravity are free fall and equilibrium. In free fall, the object is accelerating downward due to gravity, while in equilibrium, the object is either at rest or moving at a constant velocity with no net force acting on it.


What is it called when the motion of a body when only gravity is acting on the body?

You're probably thinking of the term 'free-fall' or 'freely falling', or in relativity you might say it follows a 'geodesic'.


What are free vibrations of a body?

Free vibrations of a body occur when there are no external forces acting on the body after an initial displacement or disturbance. The body then oscillates back and forth around its equilibrium position at its natural frequency of vibration. This natural frequency is determined by the body's mass, stiffness, and damping characteristics.


How does the equilibrium relate to the body systems?

Equilibrium is the body's ability to maintain stability and balance. It is crucial for various body systems like the vestibular system, which helps in balance and spatial orientation, and the nervous system, which controls muscle movements. Disruptions in equilibrium can lead to issues such as dizziness, vertigo, and falls.


What is always true about a body in equilibrium?

In equilibrium, the net force acting on the body is zero, meaning that the body is either at rest or moving at a constant velocity. Additionally, the sum of all torques acting on the body is zero, indicating rotational equilibrium.

Related Questions

Explain the Principle of Equilibrium and Free Body Diagram?

System is in the equilibrium if all the forces (external and reactional - internal) are in the equilibrium - resulting force is zero vector. Free body diagram is drawn for each body of the mechanical system. The body is disconnected from the system and contacts (sometimes called joints) are replaced by reactional forces. Then for each body equations of equilibrium can be written based on the principle of equilibrium.


The states that exists when the only force acting on an object is gravity?

The two states that exist when the only force acting on an object is gravity are free fall and equilibrium. In free fall, the object is accelerating downward due to gravity, while in equilibrium, the object is either at rest or moving at a constant velocity with no net force acting on it.


What the concept of free fall?

Free fall means that the body is falling but wihout the effect of gravity. at free fall g=0 and when g=0 then it means body is falling with constant velocity.


How is free fall related to acceleration?

during free fall of body the gravity of earth tries to attract the body as it applied equally to whole body ... so body do not experience any gravitational force and there is nothing present in the atmosphere to oppose the fall which results it have maximum acceleration during free fall....


How does the equilibrium affect the body?

It keeps you balanced so you don't fall down or feel dizzy and sick.


What is the motion of a body when only the force of garvity is acting on the body?

Free Fall


Why a body cannot be in equilibrium to single force acting on it?

A body is in equilibrium when the force on it is zero, thus if a single force is on the body, the force must be zero or the body will not be equilibrium.


Why a body cannot be in equilibrium due to single acting on it?

A body is in equilibrium when the force on it is zero, thus if a single force is on the body, the force must be zero or the body will not be equilibrium.


What is it called when the motion of a body when only gravity is acting on the body?

You're probably thinking of the term 'free-fall' or 'freely falling', or in relativity you might say it follows a 'geodesic'.


When does a body has a positive acceleration during free fall?

When affected by gravity.


An increase in demand will cause the equilibrium price and quantity to rise?

An increase in demand will cause the equilibrium price to fall and equilibrium quantity to rise.


What is another word for equilibrium?

Equilibrium can mean a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced. Examples are, to trip and fall over is to lose your equilibrium. To stumble but recover is to regain your equilibrium.A market is in equilibrium when supply and demand are matched and prices stable.