In an open-loop system, such as a basic thermostat, the poles of the transfer function influence the system's response but do not determine its stability. However, when feedback is introduced to form a closed-loop system, such as an advanced thermostat that adjusts heating based on room temperature, stability is governed by the new poles of the closed-loop transfer function.
When forming a closed-loop system, issues can arise if the poles cross into the unstable region, leading to potential...

A rigid body is said to be in static equilibrium when the net force and the net torque acting on the system is equal to zero. To solve for rigid body equilibrium problems, do the following steps.

A rigid body is in static equilibrium when the net force and the net torque acting on the system are equal to zero.
Consider two children sitting on a seesaw, which has negligible mass. The first child has a mass (m1) of 26 kg and sits at point A, which is 1.6 meters (r1) from the pivot point B; the second child has a mass (m2) of 32 kg and sits at point C. How far from the pivot point B should the second child sit (r2) to balance the seesaw?

The term momentum is used in various ways in everyday language, most of which are consistent with the precise scientific definition. Generally, momentum implies a tendency to continue on course—to move in the same direction; we tend to speak of sports teams or politicians gaining and maintaining the momentum to win.  Momentum is also associated with great mass and speed and is often considered when talking about collisions. For example, when rugby players collide and fall to the...

Consider a ball of mass m, attached to a massless rod of known length, subjected to a time-dependent torque. If the initial velocity of the mass is known, then the final velocity of the mass for time t can be determined using the principle of angular impulse and momentum.
Initially, a free-body diagram of the system is drawn to illustrate all the forces acting upon the system, providing a crucial understanding of the dynamics at play. Then, the principle of angular impulse and momentum is...

Gravitropism: Plant Responses to Gravity