equilibrium

équilibre

État dans lequel différents effets se compensent, maintenant la situation générale inchangée.

En anglais simple : A state in which different effects balance each other, so the overall situation does not change.

• The system reached equilibrium.
• A change in demand disturbed the market's equilibrium.
• The island's animal populations remained in equilibrium for years.

Comment l'utiliser : in equilibrium (Supply and demand are in equilibrium.); equilibrium between A and B (The policy aims for equilibrium between spending and income.)

Synonymes : balance, stability

Contraires : imbalance, disequilibrium

Expressions courantes : reach equilibrium, stable equilibrium, market equilibrium

équilibre mécanique

État où les forces sur un objet se compensent, sans modifier sa vitesse ni sa direction.

En anglais simple : A state in which all forces on an object balance, so its speed and direction do not change.

• The object is in equilibrium.
• Equal forces kept the beam in equilibrium.
• A moving object can remain in equilibrium if its velocity stays constant.

Comment l'utiliser : in equilibrium (The hanging weight is in equilibrium.)

Synonymes : mechanical balance

Contraires : disequilibrium

Expressions courantes : mechanical equilibrium, static equilibrium, in equilibrium

équilibre chimique

État où des réactions chimiques opposées ont la même vitesse, laissant les quantités de substances constantes.

En anglais simple : A state where opposite chemical reactions happen equally fast, so the amounts of the substances stay the same.

• The reaction reached equilibrium.
• Heating the mixture changed its chemical equilibrium.
• At equilibrium, the amounts of these chemicals remain constant.

Comment l'utiliser : at equilibrium (At equilibrium, both reactions proceed at the same rate.)

Synonymes : chemical balance

Expressions courantes : chemical equilibrium, equilibrium mixture, reach equilibrium

équilibre mental, sérénité

État d’esprit calme et stable, même face aux difficultés.

En anglais simple : A calm, steady state of mind, even when things are difficult.

• She soon regained her equilibrium.
• A quiet walk helped restore his emotional equilibrium.
• The sudden news disturbed my equilibrium for several days.

Synonymes : composure, mental balance, calm

Expressions courantes : mental equilibrium, emotional equilibrium, regain equilibrium