Force, Work, Power & Energy
- 2 subtopics
- 1 simulation
- High weightage
1.1 Turning forces (moment of force)
A force applied on a body can produce a turning effect about an axis or pivot. The turning effect of a force is measured by the moment of force (or torque). It is the product of the magnitude of the force and the perpendicular distance of the line of action of the force from the axis of rotation.
Moment of force (τ) = Force (F) × perpendicular distance (d)
SI unit: newton-metre (N·m)
1.2 Principle of moments
According to the principle of moments, when a body is in equilibrium the algebraic sum of the moments of all the forces acting on it about the axis of rotation is zero. In other words, total clockwise moments = total anticlockwise moments.