Moments, levers and gears 5.4

Question 1

What is an alternative name for the turning effect of a force?

Answer 1

A moment

Question 2

State the equation used to calculate the moment of force. Give appropriate units

Answer 2

Moment of force = force x distance

Moment (Nm), Force (N), Distance (m)

Question 3

What distance measurement is used when calculating a moment?

Answer 3

The perpendicular distance from the pivot to the line of action of the force

Question 4

If an object is in equilibrium, what can be said about the moments acting on the object?

Answer 4

The clockwise moments are equal to the anticlockwise moments

Question 5

What three parts make up a lever system?

Answer 5

• Load
• Effort
• Pivot

Question 6

How can a lever be used as a force multiplier?

Answer 6

If the distance between the effort and pivot is greater than the distance between the pivot and load, the force applied on the load is greater than the effort force. This is since the moment on both the effort and load must be the same

Question 7

Give an example of when a lever may be used to multiply a force

Answer 7

A wrench, which has a long handle so that the force applied by the user is multiplied

Question 8

What determines the moment of a gear wheel?

Answer 8

The size of the wheel

Question 9

Describe the movement and speed of a larger gear being driven by a smaller gear

Answer 9

The larger wheel will rotate more slowly but will also produce a large moment