stable equilibrium

[/ˈsteɪbəl ˌɛkwɪˈlɪbriəm/]
nounpl: stable equilibria
equilíbrio estável
1. A state of balance where a system returns to its original position after a small disturbance
A ball resting at the bottom of a bowl is in stable equilibrium because it will roll back to the center if slightly disturbed.
Uma bola repousando no fundo de uma tigela está em equilíbrio estável porque ela retornará ao centro se ligeiramente perturbada.
2. In physics and mathematics, a condition where small perturbations result in restoring forces that push the system back toward equilibrium
The pendulum at its lowest point demonstrates stable equilibrium in classical mechanics.
O pêndulo em seu ponto mais baixo demonstra equilíbrio estável na mecânica clássica.
3. In economics and game theory, a balanced state where no participant has incentive to unilaterally change their strategy
The market reached a stable equilibrium where supply and demand were balanced.
O mercado atingiu um equilíbrio estável onde a oferta e a demanda estavam equilibradas.
This is a technical/scientific term used uniformly across English-speaking and Portuguese-speaking academic and engineering communities. It appears frequently in physics textbooks, engineering manuals, and economic papers in both Brazil and the USA, with no regional variations or colloquial alternatives.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
equilibrium of stabilityrestoring equilibriumneutral balance
Antonyms / Antônimos
unstable equilibriumneutral equilibriumdynamic instability

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
equilíbrio estável
Standard term used in academic and technical contexts
São Paulo
equilíbrio estável
Commonly used in engineering and physics departments
Rio de Janeiro
equilíbrio estável
Standard usage in scientific literature
Portugal
equilíbrio estável
Identical usage; technical term consistent across Portuguese-speaking countries

Related Words

equilibriumstabilityperturbationrestoring forcepotential energy

Related Idioms & Phrases

maintain equilibrium
reach equilibrium
disturb the equilibrium
return to equilibrium
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