chapter 5 - moments

Question 1

definition of principle of moments

Answer 1

principle of moments states that when a body is in equilibrium, the total clockwise moments about the pivot it equal to the total anticlockwise moments about the same pivot

Question 2

a moment of a force is defined as the?

Answer 2

it is defined as the product of the force and the perpendicular distance from the pivot to the line of action of the force

Question 3

why is an object more stable when it has a larger base area/lower centre of gravity?

Answer 3

a larger base and/or lower centre of gravity will enable a greater angle of tilt before the vertical line through the object’s centre of gravity falls outside of the basew

Question 4

why does an object topple?

Answer 4

when the object’s line of action of weight falls outside of the base, the moment of the object’s weight about the pivot will cause further turning, thus toppling the object