Torque

Rhymes with “fork”

Is a turning force

Produced when a force is applied with “leverage”

(see fig 11.1)

Lever arm

Distance from the turning axis or pivot point to the point of contact of the force

(see fig 11.2)

Where the force is perpendicular to the lever arm

A pair of torques can balance each other:

 (see fig 11.5)

1. If a doorknob were placed in the center of a door rather than at the edge, how much more force would be needed to produce the same torque for opening the door?
2. If you cannot exert enough torque to turn a stubborn bolt, would more torque be produced if you fastened a length of rope to the wrench handle as shown?

(see P 152)

Suppose that a meter stick is supported at the center, and a 20 N block is hung at the 80 cm mark.  Another block of unknown weight just balances the sytem when it is hung at the 10 cm mark.  What is the weight of the second block?

(see fig on p 153)

Posted by physicscp at 2:28 PM EST

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