Moment
Turning effect of force ⇒ moment Lever ⇒ rigid bar resting on pivot or fulcrum → used to move a load when a force is applied
When force is applied ⇒ load experiences a turning force. Rigid bar ⇒ is hinged at the pivot ⇒ can make a sweeping movement only.
Turning effect of a force is proportional to:
- Perpendicular distance form the pivot where the force is applied
- magnitude of force applied
Turning effect of a force ⇒ also known as torque
Definition
Moment of a force, M or torque, about a pivot is the product of the force F and the perpendicular distance d from the pivot to the line of action of the force #PhysicsDefinitions
where F = force applied (N) d = perpendicular distance from the pivot to the line of action of the force (m)
SI unit N m ⇒ it is a vector quantity. Moment of force has direction a clockwise rotation about pivot ⇒ is a clockwise moment. Anticlockwise rotation about pivot ⇒ is anticlockwise moment
Important ⇒ in order to create moment ⇒ line of action of force must not pass through pivot
