For topics 5.1 Moments 5.2 Principle of Moments @&® puita your understanding! Attempt the following questions on your own or in a group setting. 1. (a) Explain moment of a force and its SI unit. What is the Principle of Moments? ‘The moment of a force is the tuning effect of a force and is defined as the product of the force and the perpendicular distance from the line of action of the force to the pivot. The SI unit for the ‘moment of a force is the newton metre (N m). The Principle of Moments states that for an object to be inequilibrium, the sum of the clockwise moments about any point (acting as a pivot) equals the sum of the anticlockwise moments about the same point. (a) Figure 5.1 shows a balanced uniform beam supported at its centre. What is the ratio, of mass A to mass B? ‘Taking moments about the pivot, for rotational equilibrium: M, x30 = M, x 40 where M, = mass at A and M,= mass at B My:My=4:3 aFigure 5.1 (b) Figure 5.2 shows a massless beam of 8 length 1 m pivoted at P. A mass of 2kg 2 kg rests on it at 60 cm from P. At a Q it rests on a support which exerts a aan L support force R. What is the magnitude of R? a (Take g = 10 N kg") me Taking moments about P, for rotational equilibrium: Rx 100= 20 x 60 R=12N } (1 Which of these involves moment of a force—pressing a door handle or turning a door i knob? 1 Can youuse the moment of a force to balance your 36 kg friend and another 50 kg friend on a see-saw? 1 Can you state the Principle of Moments for a balanced see-saw? 40 Turning Etfect of Foroos (© 2007 Marshall Cavendish International (S) Pte Ltd2° challenge yourself! Attempt the following questions on your own, You are advised to spend no more than the time indicated. 1. Figure 5.3 below shows a non-uniform tree trunk of weight 1000 N resting horizontally on. two supports at Qand S. The centre of mass of the tree trunk is at R. What downward force must be applied at P to lift the tree trunk just clear of the support at S? Figure 53 0m 30m 20m 30m : A SOON B 750N CC 1000N D 1250N (B) Working/Explanation Principle of Moments: F, « 4.0= 1000 * 3.0 F,=750N 2. (a). Figure 5.4 shows the same vertical force of 200 N exerted by a cyclist on the pedal of a bicycle in three different positions A, B, and C. 200 N | | 200N 200 N pivot “a pivot Figure 5.4 pivot G A B c State the position, A, B or C, in which the force exerts the largest moment about the pivot. Give a reason for your answer. Position C, because the perpendicular distance of the exerted force from the pivot is the longest. (© 2007 Marshall Cavendish International (S) Pte Ltd Physics Matters Workbook Volume 1.41 | | |(b) Figure 5.5 shows a support for a leg in plaster and Figure 5.6 shows a simplified diagram of the forces acting on the leg centre of gravity centre of gravity of hip joint (pivot) FA legin plaster hip (pivgt), force F 120N aFiguro 55 Figure 56 Calculate the force F needed to keep the leg in a horizontal position. Principle of Moments : F x 48 = 120 = 16 F=40N (Dec03/P2/Q2) 3. Figure 5.7 shows a person supporting a book between his fingers and thumb. 0.08 m 010m Figure 5.7 weight, W/= 10 If the point of contact is at the corner of the book and the weight W of the book is 10 N, calculate the moment of the force provided by (a) the weight W of the book about the point of contact, Clockwise moment provided by W = 10 x 0.08 =08Nm {b) the person to support the book. Since the book is in rotational equilibrium, anticlockwise moment provided by the person = clockwise moment of W_ 3 =0.8Nm 42 Tuming Ettect of Forces (© 2007 Marshall Cavendish International (S) Pte LidA heavy uniform plank of length 3.0 mis supported by two forces F, at 0.25 m from one 5, end, and F, at 0.50 m from the other end as shown in Figure 5.8. Calculate the ratio of +. Figure 58 Centre of gravity at 1.5 m Principle of Moments: F, * 1.2: E x A uniform metre plank XY of weight 200 N is freely hinged to a wall at X. A man of, weight 500 Nis standing 20 cm from the wall. The plank is held horizontally by a force F acting from Y as shown in Figure 5.9. Calculate the magnitude of the force F. Figure 59 Principle of Moments: F x 1.0 = 200 x 0.5 + 500 x 0.2 F=200N ‘© 2007 Marshall Cavendish International (S) Pte Ltd Physics Matters Workbook Volume 1 43