14.

1 The Moment of a Force

Knowledge
The moment of a force, F, about a point O is F × d, where d is the perpendicular distance from the
point O to the line of action of the force F. If the distance between the force and the point O is zero,
there is no turning effect.

Application
Example 14.1.0

Example 14.1
For each of the following cases, work out the moment and state whether it is a clockwise or
anticlockwise turning effect.

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Example 14.2.0
Light rod and a ‘rigid body’

Example 14.2
In each case, a light rod is pivoted at a fixed point, A. Find the unknown values such that the rod
will have zero moment about A.

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Example 14.3.0
A uniform rod of length 2 m and mass 2 kg resting in equilibrium over the edge of a table. The
edge of the table is the point A. The mass B at the end of the rod is 3 kg.

Example 14.3
A uniform rod, AB, of length 5 m and a mass 10 kg, is placed over the edge of a cliff such that B is 4
m from the edge of the cliff and hanging over the edge. A man, of mass 80 kg, stands on the cliff
side of the rod, a distance of x m from the edge of the cliff.
(a) find the value of x so that the rod is on the point of tipping over the cliff.
The man now stands at A and a boy of mass 35 kg walks across the rod towards B.
(b) Can the boy walk all the way to the end of the rod?

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Extra example
p.325, Ex 14A, Q3

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