Torque Problem Types

A. TORQUE BALANCE – SEE SAW

Total Torque = 0 → clockwise torques = counterclockwise torques → τccw = τcw

Where must a 50 N weight be placed to balance a 30 N weight located 2.0 m from the pivot point (fulcrum)?

τccw = τcw General Relation

FA • r A = FB • r B
⊥ ⊥ Specific Formula
(50 N)(x) = (30 N)(2.0 m) Substitute
CCW (+) x 2.0 m CW (–) 50x = 60 .

x = 1.2 m Solve

B. BRIDGE QUESTION

Find the force of each support holding up a bridge, FA and FB.

10 m 15 m
com 25 m
Car FB
FA
A Fcar =5000 N Fbr =8000 N B

General Strategy / Steps

1. Set the pivot point to one of the supports, A

This will make the torque produced by FA to be zero because the lever arm distance will be zero.

2. Calculate the torques for the known objects (car and bridge) τ= F• r ⊥

3. Solve for torque of B, τB, knowing that torques must be balanced. τcw = τccw
τB = τcar + τbr
4. Solve for force of B, FB, using torque τB = FB • r B  ⊥

5. Solve for force of A, FA, knowing that the vertical forces must be balanced
Fup = Fdown
FA + FB = Fcar + Fbr
FA = Fcar + Fbr – FB
Table
Object Force / N Lever Arm / m (from B) Torque / N m
A FA = 8000 up  r =0 0
B FB = τB / r B = 5000 up (25+15+10) = 50  τB = τcar + τbr = +250 000 ccw.
Car Fcar = 5000 down 10  τ = F • r =–50 000 cw
Bridge Fbr = 8000 down com = 25  τ = F • r =–200 000 cw
Net 0 0
C. EQUILIBRANT FORCE

Determine the magnitude (value) and position of the force that is needed to bring equilibrium to a system.

Similar to Bridge Questions

1. Find the force needed, Fx, to produce a net force of zero. Fup = Fdown
2. Set a pivot point (anywhere, but keep it in place)
3. Calculate the known torques
4. Find the torque of X, using the total torque of zero. τcw = τccw
5. Find the position, x of that force using torque C = 120 N
ex.
50 m 15 m
A = 50 N B = 40 N
Object Force / N Lever Arm / m (from B) Torque / N m
A – 50  0 0
B – 40 50  –2000 cw
C +120 65  +7800 ccw
x  30x = –5800 cw
X  – 30
x = 193 x = 193
Net 0 0

D. SIGN / CRANE QUESTIONS

Find the tension T on a wire or the weight F of an object that is hanging from a horizontal bar

* The wire is at an angle θ .

The lever arm is always the perpendicular line from the force toward the pivot point.
→ You must use trigonometry to determine the lever arm r using the angle θ and the distance l
⊥

from the wall (pivot point) where the wire is attached to the horizontal bar.

T sin θ = opp
hyp
r sin θ =
r⊥
l
!
r⊥ = l sin θ
l

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E. LADDER QUESTIONS

Find the lever arm and torque of a painter on a ladder that is leaning against a wall.

Find the force of friction between the floor and the ladder or the wall and the ladder

Like the tension on the wire in sign/crane questions, the ladder is at an angle to a surface
and the lever arm must be calculated using trigonometry.

In general, set the pivot point where the ladder touches the ground.

Horizontal Forces Vertical Forces Torques Lever Arm (base = pivot)

Fleft = Fright Fup = Fdown τccw = τcw wall r = l sinθ
⊥

Fwall = Ff FN = FgLadder + FgPainter τwall = τLadder + τPainter painter r = l cosθ

⊥

FW = FGx FGy = mg + Mg ladder r = lcom cosθ

⊥

F W

r l

l F
g

!
r