MEC30 | Lecture

Moment of a Force

Definition:

Moment is the measure of the capacity or ability of the force to produce twisting or turning effect
about an axis. This axis is perpendicular to the plane containing the line of action of the force. The
magnitude of moment is equal to the product of the force and the perpendicular distance from the axis to
the line of action of the force. The intersection of the plane and the axis is commonly called the moment
center, and the perpendicular distance from the moment center to the line of action of the force is called
moment arm.

From the figure above, O is the moment center and d is the moment arm. The moment M of force F about point O is equal to the
product of F and d.

Simply put, the moment of a force is a measure of the tendency of a force to rotate an object
about an axis. And can be mathematically expressed as:

M=Fxd
where:

M = moment of a force
F = magnitude of the force applied
d = perpendicular distance of the line of force from a point

Prepared by: Engr. Barrera

MEC30 | Lecture
Moment of a Force

Sample Problem:
In the figure shown below, assuming clockwise moments as positive, compute the moment of
force F = 200 kg and force P = 165 kg about points A, B, C, and D. (Note: For this problem, kg is not
converted into Newtons.)

Solution:

Prepared by: Engr. Barrera

MEC30 | Lecture
Moment of a Force

Moment of force F about points A, B, C, and D:

answer

answer

answer

answer

Moment of force P about points A, B, C, and D:

answer

* (this means that point A is on the line of action of force P)

answer

answer

Prepared by: Engr. Barrera

MEC30 | Lecture
Moment of a Force

answer

Prepared by: Engr. Barrera

MEC30 | Lecture
Moment of a Force

Practice Problems:

Prepared by: Engr. Barrera

PROBLEM 1:

Determine:
Moment @ Points A, B, C and D.
Assume each box is 0.3m x 0.3m

PROBLEM 2:

Determine:
Moment @ Points A, B, C and D.
Assume each box is 0.3m x 0.3m