Chapter Three 𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐄𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐀 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐄

Specific objectives Content

By the end of this topic, the learner should be able to: 1. Moment of a force, unit of moment of a force
2. Principle of moments
a) define moment of a force about a point and state its SI unit
3. Problems on principle of moments (consider single
b) state and verify the principle of moments pivot only)
c) solve problems involving the principle of moments.

(10 Lessons)

Moment of a Force
 Basically, moment of a force refers to the turning effect of the force.
 It is defined as the product of the force and the perpendicular distance between the point of support (pivot or fulcrum) and the
line of action of the force.

𝑴𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 = 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 × 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆

 SI unit of moment of a force is the newton meter (Nm)

Factors Affecting Moment of a Force

1. Amount of force – moment of force is directly proportional to the amount of force applied.
2. Perpendicular distance between line of action of force and point of support – moment is directly proportional the distance 900.

Examples of Activities in Which Force Produces a Turning Effect

1. Opening and closing a door

2. Closing a lid of a container e.g. (geometrical instrument box)
3. A pair of scissors or garden shears in use
4. Children playing on “see saw”
5. A wheelbarrow being used to lift heavy loads
6. A screwdriver being used to tighten or loosen a screw.
7. Beam balance in use.

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 Examples

Find the moment of the force about the pivot in the figures below

Moment of a force = force × perpendicular distance

∴ moment of force about pivot = 20N × 0.4 m

= 8 Nm

N/B

The moment of a force is increased when the perpendicular distance from the line of action of the
force to the pivot is increased. Thus, it is easier to loosen or tighten a nut using a spanner with a long
handle than one with a short handle.

The Principle of Moments (the Law of the Lever)

 Consider a meter rule balanced (at equilibrium) on a pivot at its Centre by weights W 1, W2, W3 and W4 as shown below.

 The forces W1 and W2tend to make the rule turn in the anticlockwise direction about the pivot. Therefore, the moments due to
these weights are referred to as an anticlockwise moment.
 Similarly, the forces W3 and W4 tend to make the rule turn in a clockwise direction and therefore, their moments about the pivot
are clockwise moments.

Sum of clockwise moment =W3d3 + W4d4

Sum of anticlockwise moment =W1d1 + W2d2

At equilibrium (balance), Sum of clockwise moment = Sum of anticlockwise moment

W3d3 + W4d4 = W1d1 + W2d2

 This can be summarized by the principle of moments which states “for a system in equilibrium the sum of clockwise moments
about a point must be equal to the sum of anti-clockwise moments about the same point”.

N/B: A body is said to be at equilibrium when it is balanced under the action of a number of forces.

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 Examples

1. State the law of the lever ( as above)

2. A uniform meter rule pivoted at its Centre is balanced by a force of 4.8N at 20cm mark and some other two forces, F and 2.0N
on the 66cm and 90cm marks respectively. Calculate the force F.
Solution

At equilibrium (balance), Sum of clockwise moment = Sum of

anticlockwise moment

F × 0.16 + 2.0 × 0.40 = 4.8 × 0.30

0.16F + 0.80 = 1.44

0.16F = 0.64

0.64
F=
0.16
F = 4.0 N

3. A boy of mass 40kg sits at a point 2.0m from the pivot of a seen saw. Find the weight of a girl who can balance the see-saw
by sitting at a distance of 3.2m from the pivot. (Take g =10nkg)
solution
solution
At equilibrium (balance), Sum of clockwise moment = Sum of
anticlockwise moment
𝑁
𝑊 × 3.2𝑚 = 40𝑘𝑔 × 10 × 2.0𝑚
𝑘𝑔
3.2𝑊 = 800
800
𝑊 =
3.2
𝑤 = 250 𝑁

Exercise

A half meter rule is suspended vertically from a pivot at the 0 cm mark. It is maintained in the vertical position by four horizontal
forces acting in the directions shown in the figure below

The 10.0 N force acts through the 15 cm mark, 4.0 N force through the 20 cm mark and 5.0 N force through the 40 cm mark.
Calculate F which acts through the 30 cm mark.

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 Parallel forces

 Consider a uniform rod below balanced by the forces F1, F2, F3, F4, F5 and R which is the normal reaction on pivot.

 The forces F1, F2, F3, F4, F5 and R are parallel.

 For parallel forces:
a) The sum of forces acting on one side of the system is equal to the sum of forces acting on opposite direction i.e. the algebraic
sum of parallel forces is zero.
b) The sum of clockwise moments is equal to the sum of anticlockwise moments i.e. the algebraic sum of the moments of parallel
forces is zero.

Exercise

A uniform metal rod of length 80cm and mass 3.2kg is supported horizontally by two vertical spring’s balances C and D balance
C is also from one end while balance D is 30cm from the other end. Find the reading on each balance.

Anti – parallel forces (Couples)

 Anti – parallel forces or a couple refers to equal, parallel but opposite forces.
 The total moment of anti-parallel forces is the product of one of the forces and the perpendicular distance between the forces.

Example

Two vertical equal and opposite forces act on a meter rule at 20 cm and 90 cm marks respectively. If each of the forces has a
magnitude of 4.0 N, calculate their moment on the meter rule about the 40 cm mark.

solution

Total moment

= one of the force, F X perpendicular distance between the forces, d

= 4.0𝑁 × (0.9 − 0.2)𝑚

= 4.0 𝑁 × 0.7

= 2.8 𝑁𝑚

Example

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 The figure alongside shows a uniform metre rule of weight 1.6 N supported by spring balance at the 32 cm mark. The metre rule is
balanced horizontally by a 1.2 N weight suspended as shown. Find:

(a) The point where the 1.2 N is suspended.

(b) The reading on the spring balance.

Solution

(a) Since the meter rule is uniform, its weight acts through its Centre, i.e.,
the 50 cm mark. Taking moments about the 32 cm mark and letting the 1.2
N weight be, d m from the 32 cm mark: Anticlockwise moments =clockwise
moments

1.2×d =1.6 × (0.50–0.32)

1.2d = 1.6 × 0.18

d = 1.6 × 0.181.2 =0.24 m

Therefore, the 1.2 N should be suspended at the (32 – 24) cm mark, i.e., the
8 cm mark.

(b) Since the rule is balanced, upward forces =downward forces.

Examples of couples

I. Forces applied on a wheel spanner when tightening or loosening a nut

II. Forces applied when opening a water tap

III. Forces applied on the steering wheel of a car when going round a bend
IV. Forces applied on bicycle handle

COMPREHENSIVELY UPDATED AND COMPILED BY Mr.M.TIMOTHY

 Revision Exercise

1. Explain why the handle of a door is placed as far as possible from the hinges.
2. Explain why it is easier to loosen a tight nut using a spanner with a long handle than the one with a short handle.
3. The figure below shows a uniform bar in equilibrium under the influence of two forces

4. Figure below shows a uniform rod AB of negligible weight pivoted at A.

A 30cm 35cm 20cm

W
B
2 kg 3 kg

If the system is in equilibrium, determine the weight W shown in the diagram.

5. Figure shows a hydraulic press system using a lever of negligible mass on the side of a small piston pivoted at point P. A force of
120N is applied at R.

100 cm 50 cm The picture can't be display ed.

A Bale

R
The picture
can't be
display ed.

P
Area= 240cm2
120 N A =60 cm 2

Liquid

(i) Calculate the force F exerted by small piston on the liquid.

(ii) Find the weight of the Bale supported by the large piston.

6. The figure below shows a uniform meter rule which is pivoted at 30.0cm mark. The spring balance is fastened at the
100cm mark and it is at equilibrium when the spring balance records 1.2N. Determine the weight of the meter rule.

Spring balance

0cm 3O cm

100cm

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