5.

Equilibrium: definition and types

4.1. Definition and conditions for equilibrium

A body is said to be in equilibrium when it is moving with constant velocity or when it is at rest
for a given interval of time. So equilibrium is the state of a body at rest or in uniform motion.
Note that if the speed of the body is zero for a single point in time, that situation is not called an
equilibrium.
For an object to be in equilibrium, the following two conditions must be met:
Condition 1 (force balance). According to Newton's first law, there is no net force on a body in
equilibrium. Thus the equilibrium of the body results from the fact that the vector sum of all the
forces acting on the body is zero.
� 𝐹𝐹⃗ = �0⃗.

Condition 2 (torque balance). A rotating body or system can be in equilibrium if its rate of
rotation is constant and remains unchanged by the forces acting on it. Hence there is no net
torque on a body in equilibrium.

� 𝜏𝜏⃗ = �0⃗.
Irrelevance of the torque center in the torque.

Therefore any arbitrary point of a system in equilibrium can be chosen as origin for calculating
the torque.

4.2. Types of equilibrium

A. Equilibrium and velocity

a) Dynamic equilibrium

Dynamic equilibrium is a state where bodies are moving at a constant velocity (rectilinear
motion).
Example: A car that is moving at constant velocity is in dynamic equilibrium because the forces
in all directions are balanced.

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 b) Static equilibrium
Static equilibrium is a state where bodies are at rest.
Example: A motionless person is in static equilibrium because the forces acting on him are both
vertical and add up to zero.

B. Equilibrium and stability

i. Stable equilibrium
If an object tends to move back to the equilibrium position when it is pushed out from that
position, we say that the equilibrium is stable. The structure is in a region of stable equilibrium.
The object experiences a net force or torque in a direction opposite to the direction of the
displacement. Such a force is a restoring or confining force.

Example: marble in the bottom of a bowl, bob suspended via a rope.

ii. Unstable equilibrium

When a small displacement of a system from its equilibrium causes the object to go even further,
accelerating away from the equilibrium position, that equilibrium is said to be unstable. In
practice, real systems cannot spend time at unstable equilibrium point because even if we
manage to put them in that position, the tiniest vibration will cause them to move out of
equilibrium.
Example: marble placed on a hill,

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 iii. Metastable equilibrium
Some structures that are in stable equilibrium can be displaced relatively far before they are no
longer in equilibrium compared to other structures that only require a small displacement to
move out of equilibrium. These systems are called metastable systems.
Example: a marble on a hill with a dip at the center is in meta-stable equilibrium as long as it
doesn’t move outside the dip

iv. Neutral equilibrium

A system is in neutral equilibrium if its equilibrium is independent of displacements from its
original position. This behavior is due to the spherical shape of the object. A marble on a flat
horizontal surface.

Remark: Combinations of many equilibrium situations are possible. For example, a marble on a
saddle is stable for displacements toward the front or back of the saddle and unstable for
displacements to the side.

6. Balancing forces: static equilibrium of particles

5.1 Method for solving balancing force problems

To study the statics of a system, we can write Newton’s first law ∑ 𝐹𝐹⃗ = �0⃗, and because a force
is a vector, we usually break the force up into its components. We can pick Cartesian
coordinates, polar coordinates, or another set. It is usually clear from the problem which system
will make your calculations easiest. Once you pick a system, you simply have to set the total
external force in each direction to zero.

Alternatively, however, it is often useful to draw the free-body diagram of the system in which
each of the forces acting on the body is represented. Usually all of the vectors are drawn
originating from a common point. If the body is in equilibrium, the vector sum of all the forces

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in the free-body diagram is zero. Using the free-body diagram is particularly useful when only a
minimum has been said about coordinate systems.

5.2 Static equilibrium of a single particle with two forces: block on the floor

We consider a block at rest on the floor. We assume here that the block can be treated as a point
mass which obeys Newton's first law.
Two forces act on the block:
b. The earth pulls downward on the block
c. The floor pushes upward on the block.
Since the total force on the block must vanish, the two forces must be equal in magnitude and
opposite in direction. However they are entirely different in their origins. The downward pull
exerted by the earth (called gravity or weight) is simply the vector sum of the gravitational forces
exerted on the block by every molecule of the earth. On the other hand, the upward force
exerted by the floor is the contact force exerted by molecules located in the surface of the floor
on molecules located in the bottom of the block.

Illustration: Free-body diagram for a block resting on the floor.

is the gravitational force exerted by the earth on the block.

is the contact force exerted by the floor on the block.

5.3 Static equilibrium a single particle with three forces

a) Block on a frictionless incline

Consider a block in equilibrium on a smooth inclined plane. The block is held in place by a
force applied parallel to the incline in the uphill direction. Such a force might be supplied with
a string or a threat, in which case is the tension. The earth pulls downward on the block and the
plane exerts a contact force on the block in a direction normal (perpendicular) to the plane.
Since the two forces have different supports, they cannot cancel out, and then a third force must
be applied to the block if we need to achieve equilibrium. Thus the free-body diagram includes
three forces.

To compute the magnitude of the force we can apply Newton’s first law:

We can solve the vector equation by projecting it onto a system of two orthogonal axes.
Alternatively, the free-body diagram can be rearranged in a way that forces form the edges of a
triangle in which each corner has a single tail while the directions of forces are kept.

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Then Pythagoras theorem and the relations in a rectangle triangle allows getting

The case when the block is held in place by a horizontal applied force can readily be studied in a
similar way.

b) Block suspended from the ceiling by two ropes

Consider a block suspended by a pair of ropes or strings of different lengths, 𝑙𝑙1 and 𝑙𝑙2 , both of
which are attached to the ceiling and make angles 𝜃𝜃1 and 𝜃𝜃2 , respectively, with the horizontal.

The free-body diagram exhibits the forces acting on the block.

is the gravitational force exerted by the earth and and are the forces exerted by the two
strings. If the lengths are the same, then from the symmetry of the problem it is evident that the
two tensions have the same magnitude. To compute the magnitude of the force we can apply
Newton’s first law:

𝜃𝜃2 𝜃𝜃1

𝜃𝜃1
𝜃𝜃2

Then relations in a rectangle triangle yield

𝜃𝜃1 𝜃𝜃2
𝜃𝜃1 𝜃𝜃2
Solving this pair of simultaneous linear equations, we find

𝜃𝜃1 𝜃𝜃1 𝜃𝜃2 𝜃𝜃2 𝜃𝜃2 𝜃𝜃1

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 𝜃𝜃1 = 𝜃𝜃2 ≡ 𝜃𝜃, we readily get

𝜃𝜃
5.4 Static equilibrium of a many-particle system

a) Definition and useful law

The static equilibrium of systems which consist of several bodies, which may exert forces on each
other, is ruled by Newton's third law of motion or law of action and reaction or principle of
interaction.
The law states that
"For every force which A exerts on B, B exerts an equal and oppositely directed force on A."
These forces form an action-reaction pair.
Remark: Both forces have the same physical origin, and do not act on the same body; one acts
on A, the other on B. The object have arbitrarily large size.
The third law is valid whether the bodies under consideration are in equilibrium or not.
Example: If you press a stone with your finger, your finger is also pressed by the stone with the
strength.

Using the third law, we can easily show that the total force on a non-point object in equilibrium
is zero, even when the object is a composite system consisting of several parts.
Indeed if the system is any collection of particles (each particle is sufficiently small and obeys
Newton's laws). The particles are labeled by an index i = 1, 2, …, N. We say that the system is
in equilibrium when every particle of the system is in equilibrium.
Let 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖 be the net force acting on the ith particle. Then in equilibrium 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖 = �0⃗ for every i, and thus
for the system, we have
𝑁𝑁

� 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖 = �0⃗.
𝑖𝑖=1

The net force 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖 is caused by both the other particles of the system and the environment (e).
Then we can write
𝑁𝑁

𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖 = 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖,𝑒𝑒 + � 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 .

𝑗𝑗=1 (𝑗𝑗≠𝑖𝑖)

The condition 𝑗𝑗 ≠ 𝑖𝑖 accounts for the fact that the particle does not apply a force on itself. Thus
we get
𝑁𝑁 𝑁𝑁 𝑁𝑁 𝑁𝑁

� 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖 = �0⃗ ⇔ � 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖,𝑒𝑒 + � � 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 = �0⃗.

𝑖𝑖=1 𝑖𝑖=1 𝑖𝑖=1 𝑗𝑗=1 (𝑗𝑗≠𝑖𝑖)

The internal forces in the double sum form action-reaction pairs and thus vanish according to
Newton’s third law.
For example N=3, we have
3 3 3

� � 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 = � �𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖1 + 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖2 + 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖3 � = �𝐹𝐹⃗12 + 𝐹𝐹⃗13 � + �𝐹𝐹⃗21 + 𝐹𝐹⃗23 � + �𝐹𝐹⃗31 + 𝐹𝐹⃗32 �
𝑖𝑖=1 𝑗𝑗=1 (𝑗𝑗≠𝑖𝑖) 𝑖𝑖=1 (𝑗𝑗≠𝑖𝑖)

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 �⃗.
𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 = −𝐹𝐹⃗𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗 ⟹ 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 + 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗 = 0
From where
3 3

� � 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 = �0⃗,
𝑖𝑖=1 𝑗𝑗=1 (𝑗𝑗≠𝑖𝑖)

and thus
𝑁𝑁

� 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖,𝑒𝑒 = �0⃗ = 𝐹𝐹⃗ext .

𝑖𝑖=1
Hence, if a system of particles is in equilibrium, the net external force on the system must
vanish.

b) Static equilibrium of blocks on an incline

Suppose we have two blocks on a smooth inclined plane, the upper block (B) being supported by
a lower block (A), which is supported by an external force applied parallel to the incline..

The free-body diagram for block B includes the force exerted by the earth, exerted by the
plane and the force exerted on block B by block A. We assume that the blocks are rectangular
with smooth faces so that �⃗ is parallel to the incline. The free-body diagram for block A includes
(in addition to and ) the force which block B exerts on block A. By Newton's third law,
this force is −�⃗. Furthermore the free-body diagram for block A must include the external force
which is applied to block A. Note clearly that ��⃗ is a force acting on block A, not on block B.
The force exerted by A on B is .

The condition of equilibrium for blocks B and A are

Rearranging the vectors to get a triangle like previously, the relations in the rectangle triangle yield

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 7. Balancing torques: static equilibrium of simple rigid bodies
6.1 Static Equilibrium of Extended Bodies

The particles are labeled by an index i = 1, 2, …, N. We say that the system is in equilibrium
when every particle of the system is in equilibrium.
Let 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖 be the net force acting on the ith particle. Then in equilibrium 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖 = �0⃗ for every i. We take
the cross-product wrt an origin O. Then we have 𝑟𝑟⃗𝑖𝑖 × 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖 = �0⃗ and thus
𝑁𝑁

� 𝑟𝑟⃗𝑖𝑖 × 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖 = �0⃗.

𝑖𝑖=1
Can we say that the internal forces produce no net torque on the system?
Like previously, we decompose the force into internal and external parts. The net force 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖 is
caused by both the other particles of the system and the environment (e). Then we can write
𝑁𝑁 𝑁𝑁 𝑁𝑁

� 𝑟𝑟⃗𝑖𝑖 × 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖 = �0⃗ ⇔ � 𝑟𝑟⃗𝑖𝑖 × 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖,𝑒𝑒 + � 𝑟𝑟⃗𝑖𝑖 × 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 = �0⃗.

𝑖𝑖=1 𝑖𝑖=1 𝑖𝑖,𝑗𝑗=1 (𝑗𝑗≠𝑖𝑖)

The internal forces in the double sum form action-reaction pairs but their torques do not readily
vanish according to Newton’s third law. We have
𝑟𝑟⃗𝑖𝑖 × 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 + 𝑟𝑟⃗𝑗𝑗 × 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗 = �𝑟𝑟⃗𝑖𝑖 − 𝑟𝑟⃗𝑗𝑗 � × 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 . 𝑟𝑟⃗𝑖𝑖 − 𝑟𝑟⃗𝑗𝑗

In most cases, we deal with central forces (�𝑟𝑟⃗𝑖𝑖 − 𝑟𝑟⃗𝑗𝑗 �//𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 ) and thus 𝑟𝑟⃗𝑖𝑖 𝑟𝑟⃗𝑗𝑗

O
From where
𝑁𝑁

� 𝑟𝑟⃗𝑖𝑖 × 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑖𝑖,𝑒𝑒 = �0⃗ = 𝜏𝜏⃗ext .

𝑖𝑖=1
Hence, if a system of particles is in equilibrium, the net external torque on the system must
vanish.

6.2 Static equilibrium of a balanced beam

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6.3 Static equilibrium for a hinged rod

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6.3 Static equilibrium for a hinged, attached rod

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APPENDIX. THE MOMENT OF INERTIA

A. Moment of inertia
A 1. Definition
To describe how easily a body can be rotated about a given axis, we use a physical quantity called
the (mass) moment of inertia. Similar to how mass determine the force needed for a
desired acceleration. It depends on the body's mass distribution and the axis chosen, with larger
moments requiring more torque to change the body's rate of rotation. So the moment of inertia is
a rotational analogue of mass. The moment of inertia can be defined as a quantity that decides
the amount of torque needed for a specific angular acceleration in a rotational axis. Moment of
Inertia is also known as the second moment of mass, angular mass or rotational inertia. The SI
unit of moment of inertia is kg m2.
Remark: Factors on which the moment of inertia depends
The moment of inertia depends on the following factors,
• The density of the material
• Shape and size of the body
• Location of the center of rotation (distribution of mass relative to the axis of rotation)

A 2. Moment of Inertia of a System of Particles

a. Single-particle system
The moment of inertia of a particle of mass m located at distance r from a rotational axis is given
by
I = m r2
b. Many-particle system

The moment of inertia of a system of particles is given by,

I = ∑ mi ri2
where ri is the perpendicular distance from the axis to the ith particle which has mass mi.
Exercise: Four particles each of mass m are kept at the corners of a square of edge a. Find the
moment of inertia of the system about a line perpendicular to the plane of the square and passing
through the center of the square.

Solution: 𝐼𝐼 = 2𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑎2 .
A 3. Moment of Inertia of Rigid Bodies
a. Definition
The moment of inertia of a rigid body supposed to be a continuous mass distribution is found by
using the integral calculus. The system is divided into infinitely many elements of mass dm taken
at distance r from to the axis of rotation. The total moment of inertia is the sum of the moments
of inertia of the mass elements in the body.
Then, the moment of inertia is:
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 𝐼𝐼 = � 𝑟𝑟 2 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

The integration is carried out over the entire space occupied by the body. r is the perpendicular
distance from the axis to the mass element dm.
b. Example of a rod
Consider a uniform rod of mass M, length and linear mass density 𝜆𝜆. The moment of inertia
should be calculated about the bisector. Origin is at 0.

O x dx
𝑀𝑀
We have 𝑀𝑀 = 𝜆𝜆 𝐿𝐿 , 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝜆𝜆 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑, 𝑟𝑟 = 𝑥𝑥, and thus
𝐿𝐿
𝐿𝐿/2
2
𝑀𝑀 𝐿𝐿/2 2 𝑀𝑀 (𝐿𝐿/2)3 1
𝐼𝐼 = 2 � 𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 2 � 𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 2 = 𝑀𝑀𝐿𝐿2
0 𝐿𝐿 0 𝐿𝐿 3 12

c. Examples of moments of inertia:

1
- Solid cylinder or disc of mass M and radius R about its symmetry axis: 𝐼𝐼 = 𝑀𝑀𝑅𝑅 2
2
- Solid cylinder of mass M, length L and radius R about its central diameter (axis
1
perpendicular to the symmetry axis and crossing the center of mass): 𝐼𝐼 = 𝑀𝑀𝑅𝑅 2 +
4
1 2
𝑀𝑀𝑅𝑅
12
- Hoop or ring of mass M and radius R about its symmetry axis: 𝐼𝐼 = 𝑀𝑀𝑅𝑅 2
1
- Hoop or ring of mass M and radius R about its diameter: 𝐼𝐼 = 𝑀𝑀𝑅𝑅 2
2
2
- Solid sphere of mass M and radius R about its symmetry axis: 𝐼𝐼 = 𝑀𝑀𝑅𝑅 2
5
- Spherical shell (hollow sphere) of mass M and radius R about its symmetry axis:
2
𝐼𝐼 = 𝑀𝑀𝑅𝑅 2
3

d. Moment of Inertia of a Circular Ring about its Axis

Consider a very thin uniform ring of mass M, radius R, and linear mass density 𝜆𝜆.
𝑀𝑀 𝑀𝑀 𝑀𝑀 𝑀𝑀
We have 𝜆𝜆 = = , 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝜆𝜆 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 = 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑, and thus
𝐿𝐿 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 2𝜋𝜋 R dL
2𝜋𝜋 d𝜃𝜃
𝑀𝑀 2
𝐼𝐼 = � 𝑅𝑅 2 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑅𝑅 � 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑀𝑀𝑅𝑅 2
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 2𝜋𝜋 0

e. Moment of Inertia of a disc about its Axis

Consider a thin uniform disc of mass M, radius R, and surface mass density 𝜎𝜎.
𝑀𝑀 𝑀𝑀
We have 𝜎𝜎 = = . Then if we choose a small rectangle to be the mass element, we have
𝑆𝑆 𝜋𝜋𝑅𝑅 2
𝑀𝑀
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝜎𝜎 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝜎𝜎(𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟) = 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟, and thus
𝜋𝜋𝑅𝑅 2

2
𝑀𝑀 𝑅𝑅 3 2𝜋𝜋
𝑀𝑀 𝑅𝑅 4 1
𝐼𝐼 = � 𝑟𝑟 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 2
� 𝑟𝑟 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 � 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 2
(2𝜋𝜋) = 𝑀𝑀𝑅𝑅 2
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝜋𝜋𝑅𝑅 0 0 𝜋𝜋𝑅𝑅 4 2 d𝜃𝜃
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Then if we choose a thin ring of radius dr to be the
mass element, we have
2𝑀𝑀
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝜎𝜎 (𝜋𝜋(𝑟𝑟 + 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑)2 − 𝜋𝜋𝑟𝑟 2 ) ≈ 𝜎𝜎(2𝜋𝜋 𝑟𝑟 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑) = 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟, and thus
𝑅𝑅 2

2𝑀𝑀 𝑅𝑅 3 2𝑀𝑀 𝑅𝑅 4 1
𝐼𝐼 = � 𝑟𝑟 2 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 2
� 𝑟𝑟 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 2
= 𝑀𝑀𝑅𝑅 2
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑅𝑅 0 𝑅𝑅 4 2

Homework:
1. Compute the moment of inertia of a rectangular plate of mass M and edges a and b
d. about a line parallel to the edge a and passing through the center
e. about a line parallel to the edge b and passing through the center
f. about a line perpendicular to the plate’s plane and passing through the center
g. about a line perpendicular to the plate’s plane and passing through a corner

2. Compute the moment of inertia of a uniform rod of mass M and length L about an axis
perpendicular to the rod and passing through a point located at distance d from the rod’s
1
center. Show that 𝐼𝐼 = 𝑀𝑀𝐿𝐿2 when d=L/2 (about rod end).
3
3. Compute the moment of inertia of a thin spherical shell or uniform hollow sphere of mass
M and radius R about an axis passing through its center.

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Exercise (Push the fridge)
An initially stationary 110 kg refrigerator sits on the floor. The coefficient of static friction
between the refrigerator and the floor is 0.60, and the coefficient of kinetic friction between the
refrigerator and the floor is 0.40. A person pushing on the refrigerator tries to budge the fridge
with the following forces:
(a) 𝐹𝐹push = 400 N, (b) 𝐹𝐹push = 600 N, (c) 𝐹𝐹push = 800 N.

For each individual case listed above, determine the magnitude of the frictional force that will
exist between the bottom of the refrigerator and the floor.

Exercise (Box pulled across a rough table)

A 1.3 kg box of frozen chocolate chip waffles is pulled at constant velocity across a table by a rope.
The rope is at an angle 𝜃𝜃 = 60° and under a tension of 4 N.

What is the coefficient of kinetic friction between the table and the box?
Exercise (Block on a plane): A block of mass M rests on a fixed plane inclined at an angle θ. You
apply a horizontal force of Mg on the block, as shown in the figure.

Assume that the friction force between the block and the plane is large enough to keep the block
at rest. What are the normal and friction forces (call them N and f) that the plane exerts on the
block? If the coefficient of static friction is µ, for what range of angles θ will the block in fact
remain at rest?
Exercise: Rope wrapped around a pole

David Morin, Page 26

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A rope wraps an angle θ around a pole. You grab one end and pull with a tension 𝑇𝑇0 . The other
end is attached to a large object, say, a boat. If the coefficient of static friction between the rope
and the pole is µ, what is the largest force the rope can exert on the boat, if the rope is not to slip
around the pole?
Comment: This is an example involving a rope in which the tension varies with position. We’ll
need to consider differential pieces of the rope to solve this problem.
Exercise (Designing a mount for camera motion)
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/work-and-energy/hookes-law/a/what-is-hookes-law
You are designing a mount for moving a 1 kg camera smoothly over a vertical distance of 50
mm. The design calls for the camera to slide on a pair of rails, with a spring supporting the
camera and pulling it up against the tip of an adjustment screw as shown in Figure below. The
nominal length of the spring is 𝐿𝐿0 = 50 mm. What would be the inconvenient of connecting the
camera directly to the screw? What is the minimum spring constant required for this design?

Exercise (Strut in equilibrium)

v2chap3.pdf
A mass of 225 kg hangs from the end of the uniform strut whose mass is 45.0 kg.

Find (a) the tension T in the cable and the (b) horizontal and (c) vertical force components
exerted on the strut by the hinge.

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