SECOND CONDITION

OF EQUILIBRIUM

ROTATIONAL EQUILIBRIUM
Which position requires least
force to turn the crowbar?
Attempting to straighten out the leaning tower of Pisa

lever

folcrum
Why does this crane have a counter weight?
 Torque

Lyle

Lourd

• Which way will the door turn?

What makes something
rotate?

How does force create

rotation?
 ROTATIONAL EQUILIBRIUM
- is when the sum of all the external torques acting on it equals zero.

• To make an object rotate, a

FORCE must be applied in
the RIGHT PLACE.
• T h e combination of force and
point of application is called
TORQUE
TORQUE is the turning effect of a force
APPLICATIONS OF TORQUE
Daily Applications of Torque
APPLICATIONS OF TORQUE
APPLICATIONS OF TORQUE
 DIAGRAM OF CROSS WRENCH

F F

AXIS OF ROTATION
If we exert a force at increasing distances from the center of a wheel, it becomes
easier to rotate the wheel about its center.
❖ Consider the forces exerted on a
cross wrench, two equal opposing DIAGRAM OF CROSS WRENCH
forces F are applied to the right
and to the left.

❖ The first condition of equilibrium

tells us that the vertical and
horizontal forces are balanced.
Hence, the system is said to be in F F
equilibrium.

❖ If the same forces are applied

however, the wrench has the
tendency to rotate.

❖ This is true even though the AXIS OF ROTATION

vector sum is still zero. Clearly, we
need a second condition for
equilibrium to cover rotational
motion.
If we exert a force at increasing distances from the center
of a wheel, it becomes easier to rotate the wheel about its
center.
 Net F o r c e = 0, Net T o r q u e ≠ 0

10 N

10 N
❖ The net force = 0, since the forces are
applied in opposite directions so it will not
accelerate.
❖ However, together these forces will make a
rotation.
 Net torqu e = 0, n e t force ≠ 0

T h e r o d will a c c e l e r a t e u p war d under

t h e s e two forces, but will not rotate.
 Equilibrium
To ensure that an object does not rotate or accelerate,
two conditions must be met:

✓ NET FORCE = 0
✓ NET TORQUE = 0
▪ APPLICATION: Use of 4:1 “ratio for setting ladders
(”approximately 75 degrees) - for every four feet in height,
the base of the ladder should be moved one foot out from
the wall or structure
Example:
• A 20-foot ladder should be placed about five feet from the
base of the wall you will be accessing.
• A torque is an action that causes objects to rotate.

• For rotational motion, the torque is what is most directly related

to the motion, not the force.

• Motion in which an entire object moves is

called translation.
• Motion in which an object spins is called
rotation.
• The point or line about which an object turns
is its center of rotation.
• An object can rotate and translate.
➢ In physics:

✓ TORQUE (the symbol is τ, the Greek letter tau ) is a vector that

measures the tendency of a force to rotate an object about some
axis.
✓ Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as
a twist.
✓ The tendency to produce motion.
✓ It is also called moment of force.

Torque makes things spin!

 Conditions for Equilibrium

• The net force equals zero

F = 0
• The net torque equals zero

 = 0
 Equilibrium
Something is in equilibrium (or balanced) if………

• The net force is zero F1 = F2

• The net torque is zero

C =  AC
 THE SECOND CONDITION OF
EQUILIBRIUM
• THE ALGEBRAIC SUM OF ALL TORQUES ABOUT
ANYAXIS MUST BE ZERO.
• It tells us that the clockwise torques are
exactly balanced by the counterclockwise
torques
• Στ =0 Sign convention of
applied torque (use

• Στcw + Στccw =0 RH rule)

Clockwise rotation is a negative torque (-).

Counter clockwise rotation is a positive torque(+)
 ROTATIONAL EQUILIBRIUM
A necessary condition for a body to be in rotational equilibrium
is that the sum of the torques with their proper signs about point
must be zero.

∑Ƭ= 0

The condition is known as the second condition for

equilibrium.
 TORQUE
How do I apply a force to make the rod rotate about the axel?
Not just anywhere!

affected by both AXEL

the magnitude of
a force F and its lever arm, L
moment arm r.

Axle
Force, F
• TORQUE is created when the line of action of a
force does not pass through the center of
rotation.

• LINE OF ACTION is an imaginary line that

follows the direction of a force and passes
though its point of application.

• LEVER ARM is the perpendicular distance

between the line of action of the force and
the center of rotation
The magnitude of a torque is defined as force times its lever
arm.

 = F l
Where: Torque =  = (N . m)• The turning effect of a force is……
Force = F = (N)
Lever arm length = l = (m) • l = is the distance from
the force to the pivot

UNITS: SI - Newton∙meter (N∙m)

In U.S. customary units - pounds∙feet (ft·lb)
 Torque
“The resultant external torque about any axis must be zero”

 =0
A force acting on an extended object will generally tend to
make the object spin. When a force F is applied at some
 F
point displaced by r or l from a rotation axis O, the applied
torque is
 = F(lsin) = F(r sin) r
where the distance l, known as the lever arm (or moment
arm) is the perpendicular distance between the rotation axis
l
. O

and the line of action, the continuation of the direction of the

applied force F.
When the force and lever arm are NOT perpendicular –
TORQUE FROM ANGLED FORCES
 T o r q u e is the turning effect of a
force

• It d e p e n d s on t h e si ze of the force

• And w h e r e t h e f o r c e is e x e r t e d
• A line of action of a force is an imaginary line extended indefinitely
along a vector in both directions.

• Axis of rotation is an imaginary line passing through a point

perpendicular to the direction of rotation.

• Moment Arm of a force - is the perpendicular distance from the

axis of rotation to the line of action of force
- determines the effectiveness of a given force in causing
rotational motion.
THE MOMENT ARM

A B C

F F F
EXAMPLES OF MOMENT ARMS and Sign Convention

NEGATIVE TORQUE

F
EXAMPLES OF MOMENT ARMS
and Sign Convention

POSITIVE TORQUE

r
EXAMPLES OF MOMENT ARMS
and Sign Convention

POSITIVE TORQUE

F r
EXAMPLES OF MOMENT ARMS and Sign Convention

POSITIVE TORQUE

F
If counter clockwise torque = clockwise torque, the see saw is in equilibrium
(balanced)

Facdac = Fc dc

Counter Clockwise
clockwise Torque
Torque
dAC dC
F
AC
F C
 Problem - Solving Strategy

✓ Draw a FREE BODY DIAGRAM (FBD)

✓ Show and label all forces acting on the
system
✓ Choose the pivot point.
✓ Indicate the locations of all the forces from the pivot
point.
✓ Apply the second condition for equilibrium.
✓ Be careful of signs.
Problem No. 1
Sometimes you have to include the weight of the lever.
You can assume that ALL the weight force acts through the center of
mass.
4.0 m
m = 1 5 0 kg

 = Fl
Fg = W= mg  = (1500 N) (4.0 m)
= (150kg)9.8m/s 2  =  m
= 1500N
Problem No. 2
A force of 5.0 N is applied at the end of a lever that has a length of 2.0
meters. If the force is applied directly perpendicular to the lever, as
shown in the diagram, what is the magnitude of the torque acting the
lever?
Solution:
This sample is a simple matter of plugging the values into the equation:

τ = Fl F
Torque τ = (5.0 N)(2.0 m)
τ = 10 Nm
Problem No. 3
2. If the same force as in example 1 is applied at an angle of 30 degrees
at the end of the 2.0 meter lever, what will be the magnitude of the
torque?
Solution:
• First we must find the lever arm value using trig:
sin 30 = l
• 2.0 m
l = sin 30 (2.0) F
l =1.0 m
Now we plug the value into the torque formula: 30o

 = Fl
τ = 5.0 N x 1.0 m
τ = 5.0 Nm
Problem No. 4
3. What force is necessary to generate a 20.0 N*m torque at an angle
of 50 degrees from along a 3.00 m rod? F=?
Solution: Solve for the lever arm value:
sin50 = l 3.0 m 50 o

3.00
20 Nm
l = sin50 (3m)
l = 2.30 m
F=?
Now plug the values into the formula:
τ=Fl 3.0 m 50o
20.0 Nm = F(2.30 m)
50o
F = 20.0 Nm/2.30 m
F = 8.70 N
Problem No. 5
Suzie applies a force of 40.0 N at an angle of 60 degrees up from the
horizontal to a wooden rod using a spring scale. If she generates a
torque of 73.0 Nm, how long was the rod?

Solution:
Let:
x = length of the rod τ=Fl
l = lever arm 73.0 Nm = 40.0 N (sin60) (x)
40.0 N (sin60)
sin 60 = l l = 2.11 m
x
sin 60 (x) = l
Problem No. 6
A force of 250 N is exerted on a cable wrapped around a drum that has a
diameter of 120 mm. What is the torque produced about the center of the
drum?

r = D =
120 mm
= 60 mm or 0.06 m
2 2

CONVERSION= 60 mm(1m/1000mm)
= 0 .06 m
250 N τ = Fr
Notice that the line of action of the 250-N force is
= (250N)(0.06m)
perpendicular to the diameter of the drum. The moment = -15.0 N-m, clockwise
arm is therefore equal to the radius of the drum
Problem No.7
What is the torque on a bolt applied with a wrench that has a lever arm of
30 cm with a force of 10 N?

F
Torque τ = Fl
= 10 N  0.30 m
L = 3 Nm

For the same force, you get more torque with a bigger wrench
→ the job is easier!
Problem No.8
Bal an ci n g To r q u e s

10N 20N

1 m 0.5 m
Left torque = 10N x 1m = 10N m
Right torque = 20N x 0.5m = 10N m
Problem No. 9
An 80 N force acts at the end of a 12 cm wrench as shown below.
Find the torque.
Problem No.10
Problem No. 11
A mechanic exerts a 20-lb force at the end of a 10-in. wrench, as
shown in the diagram. If this pull makes an angle of 60º with the
handle, what is the torque produced on the nut?
First, we draw a sketch, extend the line of action of the 20-lb force and draw in the moment arm.

SOLUTION: 20 lb
r
sin 600 = ———
60º
10 in
r = 10 in (sin 600) = 8.66 in
r τ = Fr
= (20 lb)(8.66 in)
= 173 lb-in or 14.4 lb-ft
Problem No.12
A 120 N child and a 200 N child sit at the opposite ends of 4.00
m uniform seesaw pivoted at its center. Where should a 140 N
child sit to balance the seesaw?
+ (120 N)(2.00 m) + (140)(l) – (200 N)(2.00 m) = 0
FBD OF THE SEESAW
240 Nm + 140 N(l) = 400 Nm

R 140 (l) = 400 Nm – 240 Nm

2.0 m 140N (l) = 160 Nm

140 N
l = 1.14 m
120 N 140 N W 200
Solving for l, l = 1.14 m from the center on the side
N of the 120 N child.
Problem No.11
A 300-N girl and a 400-N boy stand on a platform supported by
posts A and B as shown below. The platform itself weighs 200N.
What are the forces exerted by the supports on the platform?

6.00 m 4.00 m 4.00 m

300 N 200 N 400 N

12 m
A B
• Draw the FBD
• Determine the CG of the platform
• Apply the 1st and 2nd conditions ofequilibrium.

A B

2m 6m 4m 4m

300 N 200 N 400 N

 Solution:
ΣF x = 0: A + B – 300N - 200 N – 400 N = 0
A + B = 300N + 2 0 0 N + 4 0 0 N A
B
A + B = 900 N
2m 6m 4m 4m

Στ = 0
Note: Pivot Point is B 300 N 200 N 400 N

A(12m) + 400N(4m) = 300N(10m)+ 200N(4m)

A(12m) + 1600Nm = 3000Nm + 800Nm A = 183 N
A(12m) = 3000Nm + 800Nm - 1600Nm A+B =900N
(12m)A = 2200Nm B = 9 0 0 N -1 8 3 N
12 m 12 m B=717N
A = 183 N
Other Solution
Fx = 0: A + B – 300N -200 N – 400 N = 0
A + B = 300N +200 N +400 N
A + B = 900 N
Στ = 0
-A(12m) + 300N(10m)+ 200N(4m)-400N(4m) =0
(- 12 m)A + 3000Nm + 800Nm - 1600Nm =0
2200Nm = (12m)A A B
A = 183 N 2m 6m 4m 4m

A+B =900N
B = 900N-183N
300 N 200 N 400 N
B=717N
Problem No.12
❖
❖

❖
 CENTER of GRAVITY of a GROUP of BODIES
- whose centers of gravity are known from a fixed point
is defined as the sum of the products of weight of
individual body and its center of gravity divided by the
total weight.

In symbols:
W1X1 + W2X2 ….

W1 + W2 + …..
To calculate torque on a body of mass m due to near-Earth gravity, use the fact
that the gravitational force acts downward at the body’s center of mass/gravity
with magnitude mg.
Problem No. 13
Find the center of gravity of a flat piece of wood
shaped in the form of letter L. All dimensions a r e in
meters. The weight per square meter of the wood
is 2.4 N/m 2 .
y 3.0

4.0
(X1, Y1)

3.0

(X2, Y2)
2.0
0 x
SOLUTION
The center of gravity of the wood will specified by two coordinates: x and y.
Divide the plate into regularly shaped parts.
Let A1 be the area of the bigger rectangle and A2 the area of the smaller rectangle.
The center of gravity of A1 labeled as (x1,y1) is the (1.5 m, 3.0 m). The center of gravity of A2 labeled as
(x2, y2) is (4.5 m, 1.0 m).

A1 = (3 m) (6 m) = 18 m2
W1 = (2.4 N/m2) (18 m2) = 43.2 N
A2 = (3 m)(2 m) = 6 m2
W2 = (2.4 N/m 2)(6.m 2) = 14.4 N
X = (43.2 N) (1.5 m) + (14.4 N)(4.5 m) = 2.3 m
43.2 N + 14.4 N

y = (43.2 N) (3 m) + (14.4 N)(1 m)

= 2.5 m
43.2 N + 14.4 N
Problem No. 14
A person holds a 50.0-N sphere in his hand. The forearm is
horizontal. The biceps muscle is attached 3.00 cm from the joint, and the sphere is
35.0 cm from the joint. Find the upward force exerted by the biceps on the forearm
and the downward force exerted by the upper arm on the forearm and acting at the
joint. Neglect the weight of the forearm.

F = R +W = R + 50.0 N
Fd = mgl
F  3.00 = 50.0  35.0
F = 583 N
ZR = 533 N
Seatwork
Problem No. 1

Given: W1 = 320 N
W2 = 400 N r1 = 4.0 m
Unknown: r2
 Problem No. 2

• A boy and his cat sit on a seesaw. The cat has a mass of 4 kg and
sits 2 m from the center of rotation. If the boy has a mass of 50
kg, where should he sit so that the see-saw will balance?
Problem No. 3
Problem No. 4
 Problem No. 5
Mass of plank = 30 kg
Where is Leo?
Length of plank = 6.0 m

4.0 m

m1 = 60 kg m2= 150 kg
SEATWORK: Solve the following problems.
1. A 300-N gymnast is standing on a 1 500 –N beam. If the gymnast
stands 1.5 m from the left end of the 5.0 m long beam, how much
force is exerted by each of the trestle at the ends of the beam?
2. A 30 kg load is on one end of a 3 m uniform plank. How much

force must a worker exert on the other end of the plank to balance
the plank if the pivot point is 1 m from the worker? The mass of
the plank is 40 kg.
3. A taho vendor balances two buckets which are individually tied
on both ends of a 1.0 m stick. If the first bucket has a mass of 2.0
kg and is tied 0.60 m from the shoulder of the taho vendor, what
is the mass of the other bucket that is tied 0.40 m from the
shoulder of the tahoo vendor?
4. A 40 kg girl and his 65 kg father sat at the opposite ends of a
uniform seesaw, 2.0 m from the pivot. Where should the girl’s 55 kg
mother sit in order to balance the seesaw?

5. The two children shown below in are balanced on a seesaw of

negligible mass. The first child has a mass of 26.0 kg and sits 1.60 m
from the pivot.
(a) If the second child has a mass of 32.0 kg, how far is she from
the pivot?
(b) What is the supporting force Fs exerted by the pivot?
 Calculate a torque

▪ A 0-centimeter w
use to n
▪ e force is applied 0.20 m
om the
• It takes 50 newtons to loosen the bolt when the force is
applied perpendicular to the wrench.
• How much force would it take if the force was applied at a
30-degree angle from perpendicular?
Problem No. 3
 TWO PIVOT PROBLEM
Mass of plank = 50 kg What is the upward force from theleft
Length of plank = 6.0 m hand support??
1.0 m
1.0 m

m = 60 kg
m= 100 kg
 Two pivot problem
Mass of bridge = 500 kg Length of bridge = 10.0 m

What happens to the support What is the upward force

force as the car moves left??? from the right hand support??

4.0 m
Problem A uniform 40.0-N board supports a father and daughter weighing 800 N and 350 N,
respectively. If the support is under the center of gravity of the board and if the
No.12 father is 1.00 m from the center, determine the magnitude of the upward force n
exerted on the board by the support.
A uniform horizontal beam with a length of 8.00 m and a weight of 200 N is
attached to a wall by a pin connection. Its far end is supported by a cable
that makes an angle of 53.0° with the horizontal . If a 600-N person stands
2.00 m from the wall, find the tension in the cable, as well as the magnitude
and direction of the force exerted by the wall on the beam.
A uniform horizontal beam with a length of 8.00 m and a weight of 200 N is
attached to a wall by a pin connection. Its far end is supported by a cable that
makes an angle of 53.0° with the horizontal . If a 600-N person stands 2.00 m
from the wall, find the tension in the cable, as well as the magnitude and
direction of the force exerted by the wall on the beam.
 A uniform ladder of length l and weight 50 N rests against a smooth,
vertical wall. If the coefficient of static friction between the ladder and the
ground is s = 0.40, find the minimum angle min at which the ladder does
not slip.

When the ladder is on the verge of slipping, the force of friction

must be a maximum :

(Because : fS  Sn ) At this angle : P = 20 N.

The torques about an axis through O :

What are the forces (FA, FB) holding the bridge up at either end?
 Vocabulary Terms
▪ torque ▪ center of rotation

▪ center of mass ▪ rotational equilibrium

▪ angular acceleration ▪ lever arm

▪ rotational inertia ▪ center of gravity

▪ rotation ▪ moment of inertia

▪ translation ▪ line of action