# equilibrium (state)

a position where a parameter is held without work, which is not the same as balance

- Computed level: L16 (depth in the emergence graph, not abstraction)
- Status: review  ·  Domain: window  ·  Arena: abstract

## Emergence
**Emerges from:** [parameter](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-parameter.condition), [window](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-window.range), [drift](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-drift.aimless), [boundary](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-boundary.limit), [model](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-model.representation), [balance](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-balance.state), [held](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-held.grip), [hold](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-hold.physical), [position](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-position.spatial), [work](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-work.effort)

**Through:** Drift acts on a parameter within its window, but no maintenance work is needed to keep it at a position where the boundary constraints and physical holding suffice.

**Novel properties:**
- spontaneous stability
- rest without effort
- self-maintained position

## Examples
- A superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) maintains zero electrical resistance below 9.2K, requiring no energy input to sustain current flow. *(physics)*
- The International Space Station orbits Earth at 400 km altitude, held in freefall equilibrium by gravitational and inertial forces. *(engineering)*
- A neuron's resting membrane potential of -70mV persists without active ion pumping until signaling occurs. *(biology)*

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*Canonical: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-equilibrium.state*  
*Structured data: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-equilibrium.state.json*  
*Every definition provably resolves to space, time, energy and pattern.*