n2
n2
O A
d
In the diagram above, the force F is perpendicular to OA, so the distance of the line of
action of the force from O is d. So the moment of the force about O is given by Fd .
F
O A
d
There are two ways to think about finding the moment of this force (both giving the same
result).
The first approach involves finding the perpendicular distance between the line of action of
the force and the point O.
O A
d
The diagram above shows that the perpendicular distance between the line of action of the
force and the point O is d sin . Therefore the moment of the force is Fd sin .
The alternative approach is to resolve the force F into components, one component parallel
to OA and the other perpendicular to OA, as shown below.
O A
d
The component parallel to OA, F cos , goes through O and therefore its moment about O
is zero.
The component perpendicular to OA, F sin , acts at a perpendicular distance of d from O,
and so its moment about O is F sin d , or Fd sin .
Both approaches to finding the moment are equivalent. The one you choose to use really
depends on which one you find easier to visualise.
Example 1
The diagram shows two forces acting on a rectangular lamina ABCD.
10 N
4m C 35°
D
3m
B
A 20°
5N
Find the total anticlockwise moment of the forces about the point A.
The diagram can be redrawn with the forces resolved into components.
4m C
D
3m
B
A
Notice that the component of the 5 N force in the direction BA passes through A, so this has no moment
about A. The component in the direction CB has a clockwise moment and so is counted as negative. However
both components of the 10 N force have a moment about A. The component in the direction DC has a
clockwise moment and the component in the direction BC has an anticlockwise moment.
Example 2
A uniform plank AB of mass 25kg is hinged at A and held at an angle of 30 to the vertical
by a force applied at B, perpendicular to AB. Find this force.
Solution
Let the length of the plank be 2x metres.
The length of the plank is not given. This does not matter as the lengths will cancel in the moments equation.
It makes the calculations easier to work with a length of 2x rather than x, so that the distances don’t involve
fractions. The angle of the force at the hinge is not known so it is easier to show it as two components.
B
Ry x
x 30°
30°
A Rx 25g
Resolving would give you an equation involving a component of R as well as F. Taking moments about A is
the best approach as both Rx and Ry go through that point, so this will result in an equation in which F is the
only unknown.
Example 3
A uniform ladder of length 12.5m and mass 48kg rests with its top against a smooth wall
and its foot on rough ground, 3.5m from the base of the wall.
Find the frictional and reaction forces at the base of the ladder.
Draw a diagram showing all the forces and lengths. The angle that the ladder makes with the ground is not
given, but a sketch of the right-angled triangle will allow you to find the exact values of sin and cos
(using Pythagoras’ theorem to find the vertical height of the triangle).
R2
B
6.25
12.5
12
R1
6.25
48g 3.5
F A
Resolving vertically involves only the weight and R1 so this is a good way to find R1
Resolving vertically: R1 = 48 g
= 48 9.8
= 470.4
The reaction force at the ground is 470 N (3 s.f.)
3.5
6.25 48 g + 12 F − 3.5 470.4 = 0
12.5
12 F = 823.2
F = 68.6
The frictional force at the base of the ladder is 68.6 N .
Draw a diagram showing all the forces and lengths. In this method, the angle is not needed as there will be no
resolving, but you do need to know the height of the top of the ladder above the ground, which is found using
Pythagoras’ theorem.
To
R2
B
1.75 12.5
12 12
R1
6.25
48g 3.5
F
O A
3.5
As before, resolving vertically involves only the weight and R1 so this is a good way to find R1
Taking moments about O means that no resolving of forces is needed. This equation does not involve F but it
is a step towards it by finding R2
48 g 1.75 + 12 R2 − 3.5R1 = 0
48 9.8 1.75 + 12 R2 − 3.5 470.4 = 0
R2 = 68.6
Although you are not interested in R2 , resolving horizontally allows you to use R2 to find F.
Resolving horizontally:
F − R2 = 0
F = R2 = 68.6
The frictional force at the base of the ladder is 68.6 N .
There are advantages and disadvantages to both methods shown above. The first method
only involves working with two equations. However the moments equation involves
resolving so it is a bit more complicated to write down. The second method involves three
equations but they are simpler as there is no resolving.
You do need to be confident in working with resolved forces in moments equations, as you
won’t always be able to avoid it!