Question

If five forces are acting on the single particle and having an angle of 72˚ between each and are collinear, then:

(a) The net force acting on the body is zero and it is stable

(b) The net force acting on the body is horizontal

(c) The net force acting on the body is vertical

(d) The net force acting on the body is at an angle of 45

I have been asked this question in an internship interview.

The question is from Stability of Equilibrium Configurations topic in division Principle of Virtual Work of Engineering Mechanics

Answer 1

The correct choice is (a) The net force acting on the body is zero and it is stable

The explanation: The net force acting on the body is zero. This means that the forces cancel out. This means that the body is in equilibrium and doesn’t need any of the external force to make itself in the equilibrium.