A simple experiment concerning the equilibrium of three forces is simulated here:
Weights are suspended from three tied cords. Two of the cords run over frictionless pulleys. The three forces acting on the knot (coloured arrows) are in equilibrium. You can write forces from 1 N to 10 N into the text fields (don't forget to press the "Enter" key!). Notice that each force must be smaller than the sum of the other two forces! It is possible to vary the positions of the two pulleys by dragging the mouse. The parallelogram of the forces which are directed to the top left and right (red respectively blue) will be drawn if you select the corresponding option. At the bottom right you can read the angles of these two forces with respect to the vertical.
Downloadable Files
If your computer is set up with Geometers Sketchpad 4 then you can download this file to investigate equilibrium further.
Software/Applets used on this page

Based on free Java applets from Java Applets on Physics
Glossary
equilibrium
the state of an object when the vector sum of all forces acting on it is zero and when the algebraic sum of the moments of the forces about any point is zero
force
that which causes a body to accelerate or change in momentum
This question appears in the following syllabi:
Syllabus | Module | Section | Topic | Exam Year |
---|---|---|---|---|
AQA A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | M1 | Statics | Forces as vectors | - |
AQA A2 Maths 2017 | Mechanics | Equilibrium and Resolving | Resolving Forces | - |
AQA AS/A2 Maths 2017 | Mechanics | Equilibrium and Resolving | Resolving Forces | - |
CCEA A-Level (NI) | M1 | Statics | Forces as vectors | - |
CIE A-Level (UK) | M1 | Statics | Forces as vectors | - |
Edexcel A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | M1 | Statics | Forces as vectors | - |
Edexcel A2 Maths 2017 | Mechanics | Resolving Forces and Friction | Resolving Forces | - |
Edexcel AS/A2 Maths 2017 | Mechanics | Resolving Forces and Friction | Resolving Forces | - |
OCR A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | M1 | Statics | Forces as vectors | - |
OCR A2 Maths 2017 | Mechanics | Resolving Forces and Equilibrium | Resolving Forces | - |
OCR MEI A2 Maths 2017 | Mechanics | Resolving Forces and Equilibrium | Resolving Forces | - |
OCR-MEI A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | M1 | Statics | Forces as vectors | - |
Pre-U A-Level (UK) | Mech | Statics | Forces as vectors | - |
Universal (all site questions) | S | Statics | Forces as vectors | - |
WJEC A-Level (Wales) | M1 | Statics | Forces as vectors | - |