4-Turning Effects of Forces

LEARNING
OBJECTIVES

1.5.2 Turning effect Supplement

Core • Apply the principle of moments to
• Describe the moment of a force as a different situations
measure of its turning effect and give
everyday examples
• Understand that increasing force or
distance from the pivot increases the
moment of a force
• Calculate moment using the product
force × perpendicular distance from the
pivot
• Apply the principle of moments to the
balancing of a beam about a pivot

1.5.3 Conditions for equilibrium • Perform and describe an experiment

Core (involving vertical forces) to show that
• Recognise that, when there is no there is no net moment on a body in
resultant force and no resultant turning equilibrium
effect, a system is in equilibrium
 LEARNING
OBJECTIVES

1.5.4 Centre of mass

Core
•Perform and describe an experiment to
determine the position of the centre of
mass of a plane lamina
• Describe qualitatively the effect of
the position of the centre of mass on
the stability of simple objects
Forces and moments

Spanners are
used for
tightening and
loosening nuts.
They help to
produce a
larger turning
effect.
Forces and moments
The longer
the spanner,
the greater
the turning
effect (force)

Spanners are
used for
tightening and
loosening nuts.
They help to
produce a
larger turning
effect.
Forces and moments
The longer
the spanner,
the greater
the turning
effect (force)

Spanners are
used for The turning
tightening and effect of a force
loosening nuts. about a pivot is
They help to called a moment.
produce a
larger turning
effect.
Forces and moments

Moment of = force x perpendicular

a force about distance from
a point the point
Forces and moments

Moment of = force x perpendicular

a force about distance from
a point the point

Moments may be described as clockwise or

anticlockwise, and the moment of a force is
also called a torque.
 Forces and moments

Moment of = force x perpendicular

a force about distance from
Don’t a point the point
forget
that the
unit of
Force ie
the
Newton Moments may be described as clockwise or
(N) anticlockwise, and the moment of a force is
also called a torque.
 Forces and moments

To increase the force

applied to undoing a
wheel nut, extend the
length of the spanner –
you can do this by
inserting a length of
pipe over the end.
 Forces and moments

 The moment is bigger if the force is bigger.

 The moment is bigger if it acts further from the
pivot.
 The moment is greatest if it acts perpendicular to
the objects it acts on.
 Let’s look at a
few examples
of calculations
involving
moments.

4m

5N

Moment about X = 5 x 4 = 20Nm

(clockwise)
 3N

Let’s look at a
few examples X
of calculations
involving 5m
moments.
Moment about X = 3 x 5 = 15Nm
(anticlockwise)

4m

5N

Moment about X = 5 x 4 = 20Nm

(clockwise)
 3N

Let’s look at a
few examples X
of calculations
involving 5m
moments.
Moment about X = 3 x 5 = 15Nm
(anticlockwise)

4m

5N
Principle of moments

Moment about X = 5 x 4 = 20Nm

(clockwise)
The Principle of Moments

This beam is in a state of balance.

The Principle of Moments

This beam is in a state of balance.

In order to be balanced, the clockwise moment
must be equal to the anticlockwise moment.
We say that the beam is in a state of equilibrium.
The Principle of Moments

This beam is in a state of balance.

In order to be balanced, the clockwise moment
must be equal to the anticlockwise moment.
We say that the beam is in a state of equilibrium.

The Principle of Moments states that:

“If an object is in equilibrium, the sum of the clockwise moments
about any point is equal to the sum of the anticlockwise moments
about that point.”
The Principle of Moments Let’s look
at some
worked
examples
1m
2m

20N 10N

Anticlockwise moment Clockwise moment

= 20 x 1 = 20Nm = 10 x 2 = 20Nm
The Principle of Moments Let’s look
at some
worked
examples
1m
2m
0.5m

20N 20N 5N

Anticlockwise moment Combined clockwise moment

= 20 x 1 = 20Nm = (5 x 2) + (20 x 0.5) = 20Nm
Centre of Gravity and Stability
How to find the centre of gravity of a plane lamina? PG-76