Planar equilibrium — moments condition If a number of coplanar forces acting at a point are in equilibrium, then about any point the sum of clockwise moments must be _____ the sum of anticlockwise moments.

Introduction / Context:
Forces in a plane that keep a body in equilibrium obey two fundamental conditions: net force equals zero and net moment equals zero. The moments condition is frequently expressed by balancing clockwise and anticlockwise moments.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Forces are coplanar and concurrent (acting at a point).
• Rigid-body statics assumptions; no acceleration.
• Moments taken about any arbitrary point in the plane.

Concept / Approach:
Equilibrium requires ΣF_x = 0, ΣF_y = 0, and ΣM_O = 0 about any point O. If we split the total moment into clockwise and anticlockwise parts, the algebraic sum being zero implies the magnitudes of clockwise and anticlockwise moments are equal.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Taking moments about the point of concurrency also yields zero moment directly because position vectors are collinear, consistent with the general statement that the balance holds about any point.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Less than / greater than: Would produce a non-zero resultant moment and rotation.
• Indeterminate / zero only when parallel: Incorrect generalizations; the condition is universal in planar equilibrium.

Common Pitfalls:
Forgetting that the choice of moment center is arbitrary in statics; if equilibrium is satisfied, ΣM is zero about every point.

Final Answer:
equal to