2.

1 Equilibrium of Rigid Body 2016

Describe equilibrium of rigid body

Student should be able to:

 Describe the principle of moments

- Moments of force
- Moments in balance

The turning effect of a force about a point is known as its moment about that point.

Moments Moment of force = force x perpendicular distance from the line of action of force to the pivot

The unit for moment if a force is Newton metre (Nm)

Moments

Example:

A spanner of length 0.20 m is used to loosen a nut. If the force applied is 5 N, find the
moment of the force.

Principle of moments

.
When a body is in equilibrium, the sum of clockwise moments is equal to the sum of anticlockwise
Basic Engineering Science moments about the same point Page 1
 2.1 Equilibrium of Rigid Body 2016

Example:

Determine the weight W of the ruler.

Name: Marks

Group Code: Date:

Topic : Equilibrium of rigid body

Basic Engineering Science Page 2

 2.1 Equilibrium of Rigid Body 2016

1. The ‘moment of a force’ is another name for the ‘________ effect of force’.
2. The moment of a force is equal to the ________ multiplied by the perpendicular _________

between the line of ________ of the force and the turning point.
3. Turning effect is measured in _________ metres.
4. __________ can be either clockwise or anticlockwise.
5. The diagram shows a balanced meter-stick. What is the value of the weight placed at the 10

cm mark?

6. A stone is balanced on a metre-stick as shown. What is the weight of this stone?

Basic Engineering Science Page 3