This document defines stability as the tendency of a body to return to its original state after being disturbed by restoring forces. It identifies four key factors that affect an object's stability: base of support, center of gravity, mass, and line of gravity. The document outlines the characteristics of stable, unstable, and neutral equilibrium and the types of objects that exhibit each state.

1. STABILITY

2. Stability
The property of a body that causes it
to return to its original position or state of
motion as a result of the action of
restoring forces once its equilibrium has
been disturbed.

3. Factors Affecting Stability
1. Base of Support
2. Location of The Center of Gravity
3. Mass
4. Line of Gravity

4. Base of Support
• The area in contact with the
supporting surface plus the intervening
area
• Wider base of support means greater
stability

5. Location of Center of Gravity
• The point where the weight of the
body is concentrated; the point where a
body may be hung without rotating.
• Center of gravity must be as low as
possible for greater stability.

6. Mass
• The amount of matter in a body.
• Greater mass means greater inertia.
• Body must be heavy for greater
stability.

7. Line of Gravity
• The vertical line passing through the
center of gravity.
• Line of gravity must pass within the
base of support for greater stability.

8. Types of Mechanical Equilibrium
(States of Equilibrium )
Any object that is not accelerating may be
in one of three states of equilibrium:
• Stable
• Unstable
• Neutral

9. Stable Equilibrium
The body returns to its original position once the disturbing
force has been removed.
Stable objects are characterized by:
• wide base of support
• low center of gravity
• heavy mass
• line of gravity that passes within the base of support

10. Unstable Equilibrium
When a disturbing force is applied, the body falls over and
seeks a different position.
Unstable objects are characterized by:
• narrow base of support
• high center of gravity
• light mass
• line of gravity that passes outside the base of support

11. Neutral Equilibrium
When a disturbing force is applied, the body is displaced but its
center of gravity remains in the same level.
Neutral objects are characterized by:
• circular and spherical bodies
• a center of gravity that is neither lowered nor raised when
the object is toppled
• bodies that roll on their sides

12. What’s my type?

13. Stable, unstable, neutral?