IGCSEScienceCambridge (CIE)Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award)PhysicsRevision Notes1. Motion, Forces & EnergyEffects of ForcesEquilibrium

Equilibrium (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award): Physics): Revision Note

Exam code: 0654 & 0973

Written by: Leander Oates

Reviewed by: Caroline Carroll

Updated on 2 July 2026

Equilibrium

In physics, the term equilibrium means:
A state of balance or stability
In other words, a system in equilibrium keeps doing what it’s doing without any change

Conditions for equilibrium

For objects in equilibrium:
- The forces on the object must be balanced
  - There must be no resultant force
- The sum of clockwise moments on the object must equal the sum of anticlockwise moments
  - There must be no resultant moment

Examples of systems in equilibrium

Equilibrium, IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

When the forces and moments on an object are balanced, the object will remain in equilibrium

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Author: Leander Oates

Expertise: Development Editor

Leander graduated with First-class honours in Science and Education from Sheffield Hallam University. She won the prestigious Lord Robert Winston Solomon Lipson Prize in recognition of her dedication to science and teaching excellence. After teaching and tutoring both science and maths students, Leander now brings this passion for helping young people reach their potential to her work at SME.

Reviewer: Caroline Carroll

Expertise: Head of Content Delivery

Caroline graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in Chemistry and Molecular Physics. She spent several years working as an Industrial Chemist in the automotive industry before retraining to teach. Caroline has over 12 years of experience teaching GCSE and A-level chemistry and physics. She is passionate about delivering high-quality resources to help students achieve their full potential.