Moment of a Force

Objectives

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

• Describe moment of a force and compute the magnitude
of moment of a force about a point.
 Outline

MOMENT
§ Moment of a force
- Moment of a force about a point
R two-dimensional
F three-dimensional
- Moment of a force about a line
§ Moment of a couple
§ Equivalent force systems
Moment of a Force with
respect to a Point (3D)
On Moment of a Force with
respect to a Point
SCALAR approach
VECTOR approach
Recall that moment is a vector quantity
having both magnitude and direction.
For us to use the vector approach, we
will need to determine two vectors:
position vector ( from point to force )
and force vector. Then we can apply the
formula   
MO  r  F
 y

The rectangular plate is z x

supported by the brackets
at A and B and by a wire
CD. Knowing that the
tension in the wire is 200
N, determine the moment
about A of the force
exerted by the wire at C.
 Using the VECTOR approach, let’s consider the formula

STEP 1a: Express force in vector notation.

y

z x x y z d
CD -0.3 0.24 -0.32 0.5

F CD  F  CD 
  0.3î  0.24 ĵ  0.32k̂ 
 200 N  

 0 .5 


FCD   120î  96 ĵ  128k̂ N 
STEP 1b: Find a position in vector from POINT to line of
action of FORCE .
y from A to any point where
x
the force passes through like
z
point C
x y z
AC 0.3 0 0.08

𝑟𝐴𝐶 = 0.3 𝑖 + 0.08 𝑘 m

STEP 2: Get the cross product

M A  rAC  FCD
i j k
 0 .3 0 0.08
 120 96  128

  
M A   7.68 i  28.8 j  28.8 k̂  Nm
This vector approach gives the moment of magnitude  of
approximately 41.447 Nm and the direction is given by   M A
MA
 Here’s an ALTERNATIVE to the first solution but still using VECTOR
approach
STEP 1a: Express force in vector notation.
y

z x x y z d
CD -0.3 0.24 -0.32 0.5

F CD  F  CD 
  0.3î  0.24 ĵ  0.32k̂ 
 200 N  

 0 .5 


FCD   120î  96 ĵ  128k̂ N 
STEP 1b: Find a position in vector from POINT to line of
action of FORCE .
y from A to any point where
x
the force passes through like
z
point D

x y z
AD 0 0.24 -0.24

𝑟𝐴𝐷 = 0.24 𝑗 − 0.24𝑘 mm

STEP 2: Get the cross product

M A  rAD  FCD
i j k
 0 0.24  0.24
 120 96  128

  
M A   7.68 i  28.8 j  28.8 k̂  Nm
REFERENCES
Beer, Ferdinand P. and E. Russel Johnston Jr. (2007). Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statistics 8e.
New York: The McGraw-Hill Co.
Estanero, Roemo A. (editor) (2008). Principles of Engineering Mechanics 1 (Statics) 1e. Manila, C&E
Publishing Inc.
Fowles, Grant R. and George L. Cassiday. (1999). Analytical Mechanics 6e. New York: Harcourt College
Publishers
Hibbeler, R.C. (2006). Principles of Statistics and Dynamics 10e. New York: Prentice-Hall.
Meriam, Engineering Mechanics: Statics, 9th Edition.
Pytel, A. and Kiusalaas, J. (2010). Engineering Mechanics: Statics, Third Edition, SI. Cengage Learning
Stamford, CT, USA
Roberts, Adrian P. (2003). Statics and Dynamics with Background Mathematics (ebook). New York:
Cambridge University Press
End of Lecture