MOMENT OF FORCE

Moment is the measure of the capacity or ability of the force to

produce twisting or turning effect about an axis. This axis is perpendicular to
the plane containing the line of action of the force. The magnitude of
moment is equal to the product of the force and the perpendicular distance
from the axis to the line of action of the force. The intersection of the plane
and the axis is commonly called the moment center, and the perpendicular
distance from the moment center to the line of action of the force is called
moment arm.

From the figure above, O is the moment center and d is the moment arm.
The moment M of force F about point O is equal to the product of F and d.
1. A force passing through C causes a clockwise moment of 120 ft-lb about A
and a clockwise moment of 70 ft-lb about B. Determine the force and its
intercept .

2. In the figure, assuming clockwise moments as positive, compute the

moment of force F = 200 kg and force P = 165 kg about points A, B, C, and
D.

3. Two forces P and Q pass through a point A which is 4 m to the right of

and 3 m above a moment center O. Force P is 890 N directed up to the right
at 30° with the horizontal and force Q is 445 N directed up to the left at 60°
with the horizontal. Determine the moment of the resultant of these two
forces with respect to O.

4. Without computing the magnitude of the resultant, compute where the

resultant of the forces shown intersects the x and y axes.
5. In the figure, find the y-coordinate of point A so that the 361-lb force will
have a clockwise moment of 400 ft-lb about O. Also determine the X and Y
intercepts of the line of action of the force.

6.

a. A force P passing through points A and B has a clockwise moment of 300

ft-lb about O. Compute the value of P.

b. The moment of a certain force F is 180 ft·lb clockwise about O and 90 ft·lb
counterclockwise about B. If its moment about A is zero, determine the
force.
c. A force P intersects the X axis at 4 ft to the right of O. If its moment about
A is 170 ft·lb counterclockwise and its moment about B is 40 ft·lb clockwise,
determine its y intercept.