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Principle of Moments EDEXCEL

1) A moment is a turning force that depends on the magnitude of the force and the perpendicular distance from the pivot point. 2) The principle of moments states that for an object in equilibrium, the sum of the clockwise moments must equal the sum of the anti-clockwise moments. 3) An example problem calculates the distance a man can walk on a plank before it tips based on the plank's weight and moment balance.

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HuyenThanhNguyen
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196 views12 pages

Principle of Moments EDEXCEL

1) A moment is a turning force that depends on the magnitude of the force and the perpendicular distance from the pivot point. 2) The principle of moments states that for an object in equilibrium, the sum of the clockwise moments must equal the sum of the anti-clockwise moments. 3) An example problem calculates the distance a man can walk on a plank before it tips based on the plank's weight and moment balance.

Uploaded by

HuyenThanhNguyen
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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2015 EdExcel A Level Physics

Topic 2

Principle of
Moments
9/15/2018
Moments revision 15/09/2018

A moment is a “turning force”, e.g. trying to open or close a door


or using a spanner. The size of the moment is given by:

Moment (in Nm) = force (in N) x PERPENDICULAR distance


from pivot (in m)

Calculate the following turning moments:


5 metres

100 Newtons

2 metres

200 Newtons
15/09/2018
Turning Moments revision
2 metres 2 metres

200 Newtons 100 Newtons

Total ANTI-CLOCKWISE Total CLOCKWISE turning


turning moment = 200x2 = moment = 100x2 = 200Nm
400Nm

The anti-clockwise moment is bigger so the seesaw will turn


anti-clockwise
15/09/2018
Balanced or unbalanced?
15/09/2018
The Principle of Moments

“If a body is in equilibrium the sum of


the clockwise moments is equal to the
sum of the anti-clockwise moments.”
15/09/2018
An example question
This seesaw is balanced:

5 metres ? metres

2000 Newtons 800 Newtons


15/09/2018
An example question
This seesaw is balanced:

5 metres 12.5 metres

2000 Newtons 800 Newtons

5x2000 = ? X 800
? = (5x2000)/800 = 12.5m
Calculate the missing quantity 15/09/2018

The following are all balanced:


??N
4N

4m 2m

5N 1N

??m
2m

6N 6N 15N

4m 2m
??m
Calculate the missing quantity 15/09/2018

The following are all balanced:


8N
4N

4m 2m

5N 1N

10m
2m

6N 6N 15N

4m 2m
1m
15/09/2018
Turning Moments
Consider a man walking along a plank of wood on a cliff.
How far can he walk over the cliff before the plank tips over?

Man’s weight =
800N
1m
Plank’s weight =
200N
4m
15/09/2018
Turning Moments
Consider a man walking along a plank of wood on a cliff.
How far can he walk over the cliff before the plank tips over?

Man’s weight =
800N
1m
Plank’s weight =
200N
4m
Consider the weight of
the plank
200N Assume that it’s weight
acts from the midway
point along it’s length
15/09/2018
Turning Moments
Consider a man walking along a plank of wood on a cliff.
How far can he walk over the cliff before the plank tips over?

Man’s weight =
600N
1m
Plank’s weight =
200N
4m 200N

Anti-clockwise moment Clockwise moment


200N x 1m = 200Nm = 600 x D
600D = 200
D=0.33m

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