

Introduction
Physics is all about dynamism, it talks about the dynamics of circular motion, in which we consider the example of rotational motion, which we can understand mathematically with the help of rotational dynamics equations and applying the formula of rotational motion in rotational motion dynamics.
We also learn about static and dynamic equilibrium physics. In static and dynamic equilibrium Physics, we understand that when all the forces remain balanced on the body at rest is the static equilibrium and if it is moving with all the balanced forces, it is a dynamic equilibrium.
On this page, we will learn about all these in detail.
Static and Dynamic Equilibrium Physics
When all the forces acting on the body are balanced, provided that the body is static in relation to the frame of reference, then a body possesses a static equilibrium.
However, when all the forces on the body remain balanced even if the body is moving, we can say that the body possesses a dynamic equilibrium.
Now, let’s understand the static and dynamic equilibrium Physics one-by-one:
Static Equilibrium Physics
In other words, the static equilibrium is the state of equilibrium in which the net external force and torque acting on the body is zero.
For example, a woman snoring on a static merry-go is said to possess a static equilibrium.
A few more examples of static equilibrium are:
A man working in front of the laptop stays in a balanced position because all the external forces acting on him remain balanced.
Consider a mug kept on the corner of the dining table. Here, the gravitational force of attraction tries to pull it down; however, the counter-balanced force offered by the table balances it and saves it from falling.
So, in the above three examples, we notice that no object moves in any direction, and remains static until something changes.
Now, let’s suppose that your dog bumps the table, offsetting the balance of the mug. It topples over the table and eventually falls. This happened because the balancing force of the table countering the gravitational act shakes and it loses its own balance, thereby making the mug fall.
Dynamic Equilibrium Definition Physics
In other terms, dynamic equilibrium Physics is the state of equilibrium in which the net external force and the torque acting on the body moving with a constant velocity is zero.
For example, Imagine a jet flying through the sky when there is absolutely no air movement, i.e., a condition highly unlikely ever to exist.
In this example, the jet has the following four fundamental forces acting upon it:
1) Gravity trying to pull the jet down,
2) A dynamic lift generated by the jet's wings, trying to pull it up,
3) thrust (propulsive force) from the jet's engines, trying to propel the jet forward, and
4) air resistance, trying to push the jet backward until it stops its forward motion.
We notice that as long as the jet flies at the perfect level, there are no changes in the air around it, and engines produce a constant thrust, the force of gravity under it does not change, here, the jet settles into a "dynamic equilibrium" where its upward or downward motion remains constant, and its forward motion also remains invariant.
Though it is moving, its rate and direction of movement remain constant.
Dynamics of Circular Motion
In a circular motion, a particle makes a move around the circumference of a circle. The motion of the body can be uniform, with the constant angular rate of rotation and constant speed, or non-uniform with a changing rate of rotation.
The dynamics of circular motion are:
Let’s consider an object undergoing a circular motion on a circular path of the radius (r) with angular velocity (ω), having tangential velocity (v) and radial acceleration (ac), then,
1) The net external force acting on the particle must be directed towards the center which is known as centripetal force.
2) The cross product of angular velocity and the tangential acceleration is zero because the angle between them is zero.
3) The angular acceleration and angular velocity of the body remain in the same direction.
The angular velocity ()is the amount of rotation made by the particle in unit time. It is a vector quantity that possesses two directions, viz: clockwise and anti-clockwise.
In the case of uniform circular motion, the speed of the object remains constant, while the object has an acceleration towards the center is its circular path which is given as;
ac = v2/r
Let the mass of the particle be ‘m’, then by Newton’s second law of motion, we have:
F = m * ac
F = mv2/r
Rotational Dynamics Equations
Let us consider an example of rotational motion:
A biker in a rider mania is making rounds in a spherical shell in rotational motion. Here, a string is tied on his back with the support of the rod along the axis of the shell. So, the formula of rotational motion in this case is:
[Image will be uploaded soon]
Where,
I = a moment of inertia
R = radius of gyration
M = mass of the biker
Second Example,
In our mythology, we don’t make the entire round around the Lord Shivling. We cross half-path and return to our fixed point and make another half-round. Here, the motion seems like a motion of the ring along the axis.
[Image will be uploaded soon]
The formula of rotational motion, in this case, is as;
FAQs on Dynamic
1. What do you mean by Dynamics in Physics?
Dynamics is the branch of mechanics that studies the causes of motion. Unlike kinematics, which only describes motion (how objects move), dynamics focuses on why objects move by analysing the forces and torques that act on them and cause changes in their motion. It is fundamentally based on Newton's Laws of Motion.
2. What is the key difference between Kinematics and Dynamics?
The key difference lies in their focus. Kinematics describes the motion of objects without considering the forces causing it. It deals with variables like displacement, velocity, and acceleration. In contrast, Dynamics explains the cause of motion by studying forces, mass, and momentum. Simply put, kinematics is descriptive, while dynamics is explanatory.
3. What are the two main types of dynamics studied in mechanics?
The two primary types of dynamics are:
- Linear Dynamics: This deals with objects moving in a straight line (translational motion). It studies the relationship between forces, mass, and linear acceleration as described by Newton's laws.
- Rotational Dynamics: This focuses on objects that are rotating or revolving around an axis. It involves concepts like torque, angular acceleration, and moment of inertia to explain why an object's rotation changes.
4. Can you provide a real-world example of Newton's Second Law of Motion?
A simple real-world example of Newton's Second Law (F = ma) is pushing a shopping cart. When you apply a force to the cart, it accelerates. If you push the cart harder (increase the force), its acceleration increases. Similarly, if you add more items to the cart (increase its mass), you will have to apply a greater force to achieve the same acceleration.
5. What are the key forces involved in uniform circular motion?
In uniform circular motion, the key force is the centripetal force. It is not a new type of force but rather the net force that points towards the centre of the circular path. This force is essential because it constantly changes the direction of the object's velocity, keeping it on a circular trajectory. Examples of what provides the centripetal force include the tension in a string for a whirling stone or the force of gravity for a planet orbiting the sun.
6. How does the banking of roads help a vehicle turn safely?
The banking of roads helps a vehicle turn safely by using the car's own normal force to provide the necessary centripetal force. On a flat road, only friction prevents the car from skidding outwards. On a banked (inclined) road, the normal force from the road surface is tilted. A component of this normal force points towards the centre of the turn, supplying the required centripetal force. This reduces the reliance on friction and allows vehicles to take turns at higher speeds without skidding.
7. Why is a 'rigid body' considered an ideal concept in rotational dynamics?
A rigid body is an idealisation used in rotational dynamics to simplify calculations. It is defined as a body where the distance between any two constituent particles remains constant, regardless of the external forces applied. In reality, all bodies deform slightly when forces act on them. By assuming a body is perfectly rigid, physicists can analyse its rotational motion (using concepts like moment of inertia and torque) without accounting for the complex internal deformations, making the mathematical models manageable and highly accurate for most practical purposes.
8. Is centrifugal force a real force? Explain.
No, centrifugal force is not a real force; it is a pseudo force or fictitious force. It appears to exist only when observing motion from within a non-inertial (rotating) frame of reference. For an observer standing outside the rotating system (in an inertial frame), the only real force is the centripetal force pulling the object inward. The outward 'push' you feel in a turning car is simply your own inertia—your body's tendency to continue moving in a straight line.
9. How does the concept of inertia in linear motion relate to the moment of inertia in rotational motion?
The concepts are analogous. Inertia (mass) in linear motion is an object's resistance to a change in its state of straight-line motion. Similarly, the moment of inertia in rotational motion is an object's resistance to a change in its state of rotation. The key difference is that moment of inertia depends not only on the object's mass but also on how that mass is distributed relative to the axis of rotation. An object with mass concentrated far from the axis has a higher moment of inertia and is harder to start or stop rotating.
10. Why is friction often described as a 'necessary evil'?
Friction is called a 'necessary evil' because it has both essential benefits and significant drawbacks:
- Necessary: It is essential for many everyday activities. We need friction to walk, for car brakes to work, to hold objects, and to write with a pen. Without it, the world would be uncontrollably slippery.
- Evil: It opposes motion, leading to a loss of energy, primarily as heat. This reduces the efficiency of machines and causes wear and tear on moving parts, requiring lubrication and maintenance.

















