TORQUE

Think of these!
• Why is it easier to open the tight lid of a
can of paint using a long screw driver
than a 5-peso coin?
• Why are door knobs placed at the other
end of the door opposite the hinges and
not at the middle?
• Why is it easier to maneuver a bicycle
with handle bar than one without?
•The answer
to all is
“torque”.
 OUR TARGET
• Define torque;
• Illustrate by example the
understanding of the term moment
arm;
• Calculate the resultant torque about
any axis when given the magnitude
and position of forces on an extended
object;
 Let’s recall:
•What does the first
condition of equilibrium
tell us about the
condition of an object in
equilibrium?
 The First Condition of Equilibrium
• “If all forces acting on a body
intersect at a single point and
their vector sum is zero, the
system must be in equilibrium.”

• Mathematically: ΣF = 0
 LET’S
ANALYZE THE
FOLLOWING
SITUATIONS
Situation 1
F N

F F

S
Does equilibrium exist if you
exert a pair of equal opposing
F forces F to the right and to the
left of the lug wrench?
If the same two forces are applied as shown in
the figure, does equilibrium exist?

F
F F

W E

Situation 2 F
 Questions
• How would you compare the vector sum of
the forces in the two situations?
• How would you compare the effect of the
pair of equal forces applied on the lug
wrench in the two situations?
• What is the difference in the application of
the two equal forces in situation 1 and 2?
 VECTOR DIAGRAMS
SITUATION 1 SITUATION 2
N
F

F
W E
F

F
S
How would you compare the vector sum of the
forces in the two situations?
 VECTOR DIAGRAMS
SITUATION 1 SITUATION 2
N
F

F
W N
F
F
S
How would you compare the effect of the pair of
equal forces applied on the lug wrench in the two
situations?
 VECTOR DIAGRAMS
SITUATION 1 SITUATION 2
N
F

F
F W N

F
S
What is the difference in the application of
the two equal forces in situations 1 and 2?
 S
THE LINE OF ACTION
Λ
• The line of action of a force is an
imaginary line extended indefinitely
along the vector in both directions.

F
F
F

F
 THE MOMENT ARM
• The moment arm of a force is the
perpendicular distance from the line of
action of the force to the axis of rotation.

Line of action

Axis of rotation
W
 THE MOMENT ARM
• The moment arm of a force is the
perpendicular distance from the line of
action of the force to the axis of rotation.

Length L
r = L sinθ

Line of action Axis of rotation

LET’S ANALYZE
THE
MEANING OF
MOMENT ARM
 Given three unbalanced
forces A, B and C
A B C

1. What is the moment arm

of A? B? C?

F F F 2. How would you compare

the rotational effect of A, B
and C?
3. Which of the three unbalanced forces A,
B, and C is the most effective in producing
rotational motion? Why? Least effective?
Why?
2.
1.
3. How
What
Whichwould
isofthe
theyou
moment
compare
three arm oftheA?
unbalanced rotational
B? C? A,
forces
effect
B, andof
C A, B and
is the C? effective in producing
most
rotational motion? Why? Least effective?
Why?
ABC

FFF
 TORQUE
is the tendency to produce a
change in rotational motion.
It is also called moment of
force.
Rotational motion is affected
by both the magnitude of
force F and its moment arm
(also called torque arm) r.
Thus we define torque as the
product of a force and its
moment arm.
 Mathematically:
Torque = Force x moment arm
τ = Fr
Where:

τ (tau) = torque( in Newton-meter, N-m or

pound-foot, lb-ft)
F = force (in Newton, N or pound, lb)
r = moment arm (in meter, m or foot, ft)
 Sign Convention
The directions of torque depends
on whether it tends to produce
clockwise or counterclockwise
rotation about an axis.
We take counterclockwise
rotation positive and
clockwise rotation negative.
 (-) (+)
F

F
Clockwise torque Counterclockwise
F (-) torque (+)
 Illustrative Example
1. Draw and label the moment arm of force F
about an axis at point A and point B in the figure
below? What is the magnitude of the moment
arm? What is the resultant torque about axis A
and B?

2m 3m
A B

F
 Solution
The moment arm about point A B is the
perpendicular distance from point A B to the
line
line of
of action
action of
of the
the force
force F
F

2m 3m
A B

F
 Illustrative Example
2. Draw and label the moment arm of force
F about an axis at point A in the figure
below? What is the magnitude of the
moment arm?

2m 3m
A B
30°

F
 2. Solution
The moment arm about point A is the
perpendicular distance from point A to the
line of action of force F.

2m 3m
A B
30°
Its magnitude is :
F
r = L sin 30°
= 2m (0.500) = 1.0 m
 Illustrative Example
3. Find the moment arm about
axis B.

2m 3m
A B
30°

F
 3. Solution
The moment arm about point B is the
perpendicular distance from point B to the
line of action of force F.

2m 3m
A B
30°
Its magnitude is :
F
r = L sin 30°
= 3m (0.500) = 1.5 m
 Illustrative Examples
4. If force F is 100 N, what is the resultant
torque about an axis A? What is the
resultant torque about axis B?

2m 3m
A B
30°

F
 4. Solution
Since rA = 1.0 m and F = 100 N
TA = FrA = 100 N (1.0 m) = -100N-m

r = 1.0 m
2m 3m
A B
30°

F
 4. Solution
Since rB = 1.5 m and F = 100 N
TB = FrB = 100 N (1.5 m) = 150N-m
2m 3m
A B
30°

F
r = 1.5 m
 Illustrative Example
5. What if force F is applied directly towards
point B, what would be the resultant
torque about axis A and B?

2m 3m
A B
F
 Sum it up.
If you are to explain torque to someone
who does not study physics, how
would you explain it so that she/he
can readily understand it?
How would you explain to him/her the
importance of the moment arm in
producing torque?
 Check your understanding.
1. Why is it easier to open a tight lid of
a can of paint using a long screw
driver than with a coin?
2. Why is the door knob always located
at the opposite end of the door
hinge? Why is it not placed at
middle of the door?
Which of the following will produce
the greatest torque?
C=600 N

2.0 m 3.5 m 2.5 m D= 1000 N

B=150 N
A= 1000 N
8.0 m
Which of the following will produce
the greatest torque?
C=600 N

20°

60°
2.0 m 3.5 m 2.5 m D= 1000 N

B=450 N T = 1000N
450N (5.50m)sin
600N (5.50
(2.0m)sin60°
(0.0m)
m) 20°
= 0
2475 N-m
1129
= 1732 N-m
A= 1000 N
8.0 m
 Assignment
A. Answer these in your assignment
notebook.
• What is the 2nd Condition of
Equilibrium?
• How is it different from the 1st
condition of Equilibrium?
B. Figure 1 shows an object with several forces
acting on it. The pivot point is at O.

If F1 = 10 N, and is at a distance of 0.25 m from O,

where Θ1 = 30°
F2 = 7.0 N, acting perpendicular to the object, at a
distance of 1.25 m from O
F3 = 12 N, is 0.60 m from O, and acts at Θ3 = 40°
from the horizontal
 Think about this.
Torque is greater with longer moment arm.
How could this idea be applied to you
when you are in trouble? Or when
someone is in need?

Did MCS ever extend a helping hand to you

when you are in need?

At your end, how do you support the school in

helping others in need?
THE END
Figure 1 object with several torques. The net total
torque on the object is:
A. -1.7 N m
B. -15.8 N m
C. -6.6 N m
D. 18 N m
 Solution
Τ1 = F1 r1 =
Τ2 = F2 r2 =
Τ3 = F3 r3 =
Calculate for moment arm and
torque
r1 r2

r3