Introductory Presentation on Stable, Unstable and Neutral Equilibrium

Use this powerPoint to introduce equilibrium for grade 9 students.

1. The shorter cup is more ______ than the taller cup!

2. Stability is the ability of an object to maintain its balance after being disturbed

3. Low centre of gravity High centre of gravity

4. The higher it is, the more ____

5. Equilibrium

6. Equilibrium

7. Stable Equilibrium This is the state of an object where the centre of gravity lies vertically over the base. If the object is tilted the centre of gravity will still lie over the base. When released, the tilted cone returns to its original position.

8. Stable Equilibrium

9. Uns table Equilibrium This is the state of an object such that when the object is tilted the centre of gravity falls outside of its base. The object therefore falls and adopts a new position.

10. Uns table Equilibrium

11. Equilibrium In stable equilibrium when an object was tilted the centre of gravity was made higher. In unstable equilibrium when the object was tilted, the centre of gravity was made lower. The object took the position that had the lower centre of gravity.

12. Neutral Equilibrium

13. Neutral Equilibrium An object is said to be in neutral equilibrium when the position of its centre of gravity cannot be lowered to achieve greater stability. Ex. A cone on its side is rolled.

14. Can you fix it?