Statics and Dynamics

Energy and Transforation II

 Torque and cross product
The torque, or moment of force, is the rotational equivalent to a force. Whenever a
force is applied at a certain distance from the axis of rotation of an object, a torque
will be produced.

Torque is a vector quantity, and is formally defined as the cross product or vector
roduct between the position vector measured from the axis of rotation, r, and the
force vector F.
 Example 1
A mechanic applies a force of on a wrench to turn a nut. The mechanic is applying the force of 10j
N 12 centimeters from the center of the nut. What is the torque that the nut receives?

F 10N
 Example 2
A mechanic applies a force of on a wrench to turn a nut. The mechanic is applying the force of 7j N
24 centimeters from the center of the nut. What is the torque that the nut receives?

F 7N
 Example 3
A solid disk can rotate around its central axis. A force of F=(3j+2k)N is done on the disk,
at a point such that its position vector is r=(2i-8j)m.
What would be the magnitude of the torque?
 Example 4
A solid disk can rotate around its central axis. A force of F=(j+7k)N is done on the disk,
at a point such that its position vector is r=(3i-5k)m.
What would be the magnitude of the torque?
 Example 5
A solid disk can rotate around its central axis. A force of F=(5i+11k)N is done on the
disk, at a point such that its position vector is r=(8i-6j)m.
What would be the magnitude of the torque?