Moment of a Force

 The moment of a force about a point or axis measures

the tendency of the force to cause the body to rotate
about the point or axis.

Magnitude of Moment

Where d is the moment arm or perpendicular distance

from the axis at point O to the line of action of the
force.
 Principles of Moments
Varignon’s Theorem:
Varignon’s theorem states that the moment of a force is
equivalent to the sum of the moments of its components.

FyX
 Problem
1. Determine the moment of the 800 N force acting on
the frame in the figure below about points A, B, C,
and D.
1. Determine the moment of the 800 N
force acting on the frame in the figure
below about points A, B, C, and D.

Moment at pt. C:
Moment at pt. A: Moment at pt. B:
M =800 N x 0 m
M =800 N x 2.5 m M =800 N x 1.5 m
M =0N−m
M = 2000 N − m M = 1200 N − m
Moment at pt. D:
M =800 N x 0.5 m
M =400 N − m
Problem
2. Two forces acting at A and B. It is required to
determine the location of its resultant from point
0.
2. Two forces acting at A and B. It is
required to determine the location of
its resultant from point 0.

= +
=?