Engineering Mechanics
In a screw jack, the effort required to lift the load is given by (where W = Load lifted, α = Helix angle, and φ = Angle of friction.)
If any number of forces acting at a point can be represented by the sides of a polygon taken in order, then the forces are in equilibrium
If a polygon representing forces acting at a point is closed then forces are in equilibrium
If any number of forces acting at a point can be represented in direction and magnitude by the sides of a polygon, then the forces are in equilibrium
If any number of forces acting at a point can be represented in direction and magnitude by the sides of a polygon taken in order, then the forces are in equilibrium