3.2.5 Turning Forces

Question 1

What is a torque?

Answer 1

This is the same as a moment, it is the turning effect of a force;

Question 2

What is the equation for a torque?

Answer 2

M (moment or torque) = force x distance
OR
Torque of a couple (Nm) = size of one for the forces (in N) x the perpendicular distance between the forces (in m);

Question 3

What is special about the units for moments?

Answer 3

The units of torques are the same as that of work one, this could come up in MCQs;

Question 4

What will happen if the moments are not balanced?

Answer 4

The object will turn;

Question 5

What does the principal of moments state?

Answer 5

That for a body to be in equilibrium, the sum of the clockwise moments about any point equals the sum of the anticlockwise moments about the same point;

Question 6

Produce three examples of levers.

Answer 6

Muscles, bones and joints;

Question 7

What occurs in levers, in terms of forces?

Answer 7

An effort force acts against a load force by means of a rigid object rotating around a point;

Question 8

What is a couple?

Answer 8

A pair of forces of equal size, which act parallel to each other, but in opposite directions;

Question 9

What forces do couples produce, and which do they not?

Answer 9

They produce turning forces, but do not produce linear forces;

Question 10

What does the size of a torque depend on?

Answer 10

The size of the forces and the distance between them.

Question 11

Produce an equation that can be used to find the torque of a couple.

Answer 11

Torque of a couple (in Nm) = size of one of the forces (in N) x perpendicular distance between the forces;