Equilibrium refers to a state of balance or stability between different forces or elements. It can apply to various contexts, such as physical sciences where it describes the balance of forces acting on an object, or in social sciences where it can denote a state of fairness or equality among competing interests. Essentially, equilibrium implies a condition where opposing influences or factors are balanced so that there is no net change or movement.
The word "equilibrium" originates from the Latin word "aequilibrium," where "aequi-" means "equal," and "libra" means "scales" or "balance." The term, thus, conveys the idea of equal weight on both sides, leading to balance and stability.