Question

Which of the following is correct for the forces which are considered in the potential energy calculations?

(a) The application of the conditions of the equilibrium of the body is valid only if the forces are collinear

(b) The application of the conditions of the equilibrium of the body is valid only if the forces are parallel

(c) The application of the conditions of the equilibrium of the body is valid only if the forces are perpendicular

(d) The application of the conditions of the equilibrium of the body is valid throughout

The question was posed to me in exam.

The query is from Potential Energy in portion Principle of Virtual Work of Engineering Mechanics

Answer 1

The correct choice is (d) The application of the conditions of the equilibrium of the body is valid throughout

Best explanation: The application of the conditions of the equilibrium of the body is valid throughout. This means that the conditions are irrespective of the types of forces. The conditions are the basic rules that defines the equilibrium of the body and thus are applicable in any type of forces of the real axis.