TORQUE (moment of a force)
 measure of the tendency of a force to cause an
object to turn or rotate an axis fulcrum
product of the force and the perpendicular
distance of its line of action to a given axis of
rotation
moment arm (lever arm) – the perpendicular
distance from the axis of rotation to the point
where the force is applied
Conventional signs:
Torque is positive (+) if the force tend to rotate the
object counterclockwise
Torque is negative (-) if the force tend to rotate the
object clockwise
*** fulcrum or axis of rotation is arbitrary, it can be
assumed anywhere along the moment arm
ΣƬA or ΣMA = F(l)
ΣƬB or ΣMB = 0
notes in physics for engineers /mads
SECOND CONDITION OF EQUILIBRIUM
The sum of all the torque acting on the object must
be zero
ΣƬ = 0
EXERCISES:
1. A horizontal rod AB is 10 m long. It weighs
500 N and its center of gravity C is 3m from A.
At A, a force of 1000N acts downward. At B, a
force of 750N acts downward. At D,2m from B, a
force of 400N acts upward. At E, 1.0 m from A, a
force of 750 acts upward.
a.) what is the magnitude and direction of the
force that must be applied to produce
equilibrium?
b.) where must it be applied?
2. A 5-m uniform ladder weighing 120N is placed
against a smooth wall in such a way that it makes an
angle of 60o with the horizontal. A man weighing 480N
climbs up the ladder and stays 1.3 m from its upper
end. Find:
a.) the force exerted by the wall against the
ladder and
b.) the horizontal and vertical component of the
force exerted by the floor on the lower end of
the ladder
cscs-psd/dlsu-d/02-2018-2019
3. Two masses m1 and m2 are suspended on an what is the minimum coefficient of static friction
ornament. The ornament is hung from the between the ladder and the ground?
ceiling at a point which is 10 centimeters from (ans. 0.52)
mass m1 and 30 centimeters from mass m2.
a.) If m1 = 6 kg, what does m2 have to be for 7. Consider the following cantilevered beam:
the ornament to be in rotational
equilibrium?
b.) Calculate the ratio of so that the ornament will
be horizontal.
c.) Suppose m1 = 10 kg and m2 = 2 kg. You wish
to place a third mass, m3 = 5 kg, on the
ornament to make it balance. Should m3 be
placed to the right or to the left of the
ornament’s suspension point? Explain your
answer.
d.) Calculate the exact location where m3 should
be placed.
The beam has a mass of m = 25 kg and is 2.2 m long.
The suspended block has a mass M = 280 kg and the
supporting cable makes an angle of 30owith the beam.
Determine the force that the wall exerts on the beam at
the hinge and determine the tension in the supporting
cable.

FBD:

4. A uniform bridge, 20.0 m long and weighing

4.0 x 105 N , is supported by two pillars located
3.0 m from each end. If a 1.96 x 104 N car is
parked 8.0 m from one end of the bridge, how
much force does each pillar exert?
(ans. 212 600 N and 207 000 N)
Ans. Fy =122 N, Fx =4966 N , Tx = 4966 N
5. A 10.0-N meter stick is suspended by two spring Ty = 2867 N
scales, one at the 8.0 cm mark and the other at
the 90.0 cm mark. If a weight of 5.0N is hung at
the 20.0cm mark and a weight of 17.0 N is hung
at the 55.0 cm mark, what will be the reading on
each scale? (ans. 16.4 N and 15.6 N)

6. A ladder (m = 1.20kg) leans against a

frictionless wall 4.0 meters above the ground.
The base of the ladder is 3.0 meters from the
wall. A 60kg painter stands 70% of the way up
the ladder. Assuming that the ladder is stable
notes in physics for engineers /mads cscs-psd/dlsu-d/02-2018-2019