Chapter

2 Statics of Rigid Bodies

2-4 Moment of a Force

In addition to the tendency to move a body in the direction of its application,

a force can also tends to rotate a body about an axis. Moment of a force is the
ability of a force to produce turning or twisting about an axis or point.

Magnitude of the Moment of a Force

𝑴= 𝑭𝒙𝒅

where:
𝑀 = Moment of the Force
𝐹 = Applied Force
𝑑 = Moment Arm

Figure 2.4.1

Moment Arm (𝒅) – is the

perpendicular distance measured from
the line of action of the force to the
point of moment.
Point/Axis of Moment – the point/axis
where the force is to take the rotation
or twisting.
Figure 2.4.2
(slideplayer.com)

Example: 120 Newtons of force at 0.3m

𝑀 = 120 𝑁 𝑥 0.3𝑚
𝑴 = 𝟑𝟔 𝑵. 𝒎 (𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆)

Remember to use the distance at right

angles to the force (figure 2.4.2a)
Figure 2.4.3 (a)

A different angle will produce will produce

less moment (figure 2.4.2b)

Figure 2.4.3 (b)

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Chapter
2 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Pushing directly towards the bolt will create

no moment at all (figure 2.4.2c)

Figure 2.4.2 (c)

Figure 2.4.2 Moment or Torque
(Mathsisfun.com)

Since the moment is the turning ability of a force, the force can either rotate
or turn clockwise or counterclockwise about an axis or point.

2-5 The Principles of Moments. Varignon’s Theorem

Varignon’s Theorem states that “The moment of a force is equivalent to the

sum of the moments of its components.

Applications. In some cases it is more convenient to determine the moment

of a force from the sum of the moments of its components rather than from the
force itself.

Figure 2.5.1

Applying the Principle of Transmissibility which states the external effect of

the force F are the same when the force is contained in the same line of action.
From the figure 2.5.1, the external effect of the force F at points A,B and C are all
equal because the force passes through one line of action.

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Chapter
2 Statics of Rigid Bodies

From Varignon’s Theorem, the following moments of the given force F

about point O in the figure 2.5.1 will have the same magnitude.

↻ 𝑀𝑂 = 𝐹 .𝑑 (in terms of the original force)

↻ 𝑀𝑂 = 𝐹𝑥 . 𝑦 − 𝐹𝑦 . 𝑥 (in terms of the components of the force)
↻ 𝑀𝑂 = 𝐹𝑥 . 𝑖𝑦 (in terms of the force intercepts at x and y
↻ 𝑀𝑂 = 𝐹𝑦 . 𝑖𝑥 using the Principle of Transmissibility)

Another example is shown in figure 2.5.2. Suppose it is desired to find the

moment of force P about point A acting on the roof truss

Figure 2.5.2

Applying the principle that the moment of a force is equal to the moment
sum of its components, we have
↻𝑀𝐴 = 𝑃 . 𝑑
↻𝑀𝐴 = 𝑃𝑦 . ̅̅̅̅
𝐴𝐵

Illustrative Problem 1) In the figure shown, determine (a) the moment of the
given force 𝐹 = 25 𝑙𝑏 about point B, (b) and its x-intercept.

Figure 2.5.3 (a)

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Chapter
2 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Solution:
a) Moment of force F=25 lb about point B
Extending the line of action of the force and applying the principle of moments
Moment from the force itself
𝑀=𝐹𝑥𝑑
𝑑
But; cos 30𝑂 =
8
𝑑 = 8 cos 30𝑂
↻𝑀𝐵 = (−25)(8 cos 30𝑂 )
𝑴𝑩 = 𝟏𝟕𝟑. 𝟐𝟏 𝒍𝒃. 𝒊𝒏 (𝒄𝒄)

Figure 2.5.3 (b)

Moment from the components of the force resolved at point A

𝐹𝑥 = 𝐹 cos Ɵ = 25 (cos 30𝑂 ) = 21.65 𝑙𝑏
𝐹𝑦 = 𝐹 sin Ɵ = 25 (sin 30𝑂 ) = 12.5 𝑙𝑏
Note: The line of action of 𝐹𝑦 passes through point A, hence, its moment is zero.

↻𝛴𝑀𝐵 = (−𝐹𝑥 )(8) + (𝐹𝑦 )(0)

↻𝛴𝑀𝐵 = (−21.65)(8) + (12.5)(0)
𝑴𝑩 = 𝟏𝟕𝟑. 𝟐 𝒍𝒃 (𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆)
Therefore, the moment of the force is equal to the moment sum of its components
about the same point.
b) The x-intercept of the force F= 25 lb

The x-intercept of force is the point on

the x-axis where the line of action of
the force intersect or passes through.

Extend the line of action of the force until

it intersect the x-axis at point C. Use the C
value of the 𝑀𝐵 to solve for 𝑖𝑥 considering
that the external effect of the force at A and
C will create the same moment at B.
Figure 2.5.3 (c)
↻ 𝑀𝐵 = −𝐹𝑦 (𝑖𝑥 ) + 𝐹𝑥 (0)
− 173.2 = −(12.5)𝑖𝑥
𝒊𝒙 = 𝟏𝟑. 𝟖𝟔 𝒊𝒏. (to the left of B)

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Chapter
2 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Illustrative Problem 2) Determine the resultant moment of the four forces acting
on the rod as in the figure about point O.

Figure 2.5.4
youtube.com

Solution:
From the figure shown, the moment of the 60-lb force about point O is zero
According to the definition of moment, 𝑀 = 𝐹 𝑥 𝑑

↻ 𝛴𝑀𝑂 = (50)(̅̅̅̅
𝑂𝐴) + (60)(0) − (20)(̅̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅̅
𝐵𝐶𝑉 ) + (40)(𝑂𝐶)
↻ 𝛴𝑀𝑂 = (50)(2) + (60)(0) − (20)(3𝑠𝑖𝑛30𝑂 ) + (40)(4 + 3𝑐𝑜𝑠30𝑂 )
↻ 𝛴𝑀𝑂 = (50)(2) + (60)(0) − (20)(3𝑠𝑖𝑛30𝑂 ) + (40)(4 + 3𝑐𝑜𝑠30𝑂 )
= 100 + 0 − 30 + 263.92
𝑴𝑶 = 𝟑𝟑𝟑. 𝟗𝟐 𝑵. 𝒎 (𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆)

Illustrative Problem 3) In the figure shown, compute the resultant moment of the
two forces, F = 450 N and P = 360 N about point A.

Figure 2.5.5 (a)

mathalino.com

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Chapter
2 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Solution: Since the perpendicular distance of the forces F and P from points A and
B are not given, it is desirable to use the moment of the components rather than
the moment of the force itself.
slope of F = 450 N

5
3

slope of P = 360 N

3 √13

2
Figure 2.5.5 (b)

Solve for the components of forces

3 3
𝐹𝑦 = (𝐹 ) = (450) = 270 𝑁 (𝑢𝑝𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑)
5 5
4 4
𝐹𝑥 = (𝐹 ) = (450) = 360 𝑁 (𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡)
5 5
3 3
𝑃𝑦 = (𝑃 ) = (360) = 299.54 𝑁 (𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑)
√13 √13
2 2
𝑃𝑥 = (𝑃 ) = (360) = 199.69 𝑁 (𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡)
√13 √13

For the resultant moment of forces about point A

↻ 𝑀𝐴 = −𝐹𝑥 (0.9) − 𝐹𝑦 (0.3) − 𝑃𝑥 (0.9) − 𝑃𝑦 (0.6)

↻ 𝑀𝐴 = −360 (0.9) − 270 (0.3) − 199.69 (0.9) + 299.54 (0.6)

↻ 𝑀𝐴 = −324 − 81 − 179.72 + 179.72
𝑀𝐴 = −405 𝑁. 𝑚
Therefore, 𝑴𝑨 = 𝟒𝟎𝟓. 𝟓 𝑵. 𝒎 (𝒄𝒄)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS8-udJgOTM
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Engr. Edna P. Montañez | Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges

Chapter
2 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Do-it-Yourself

Practice Activity

1. From the figure shown, determine the resultant moment of the forces F =
250 N and P = 190 N at points B and C.

Figure 1
(matalino.com)

Read the topic “Resultant of Parallel Force Systems” in preparation for the next
module.

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Chapter
2 Statics of Rigid Bodies
WORKSHEET No. 4

Name: _____________________________________ Course/Year: ___________

Instructor: __________________________________ Rating: ________________

Instruction: Answer the following problems:

1. Find the moment of the force F = 220 N acting at point A about point O
using the force itself and the components of the force.

Figure 2
(slideshare.net))

2. Determine the resultant moment of the three forces about A. Use the
following values, F1 = 60N, F2 = 75N, F3 = 105N, a = 1.2m, b = 0.9m,
c = 0.5m and α = 30O

Figure 3
(staticssolutions.blogspot.com)

3. In the figure shown, find the y-coordinate of point A so that the 361-lb force
will have a clockwise moment of 400 ft-lb about O. Also determine the X
and Y intercepts of the action line of the force.

Engr. Edna P. Montañez | Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges

Chapter
2 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Figure 4

4. From the figure shown, determine the moment of the force F about point O.

Figure 5
Slideshare.net

5. In the figure shown, a force F passing through C causes a clockwise

moment of 120 ft-lb about A and a clockwise moment of 70 ft-lb about B.
Determine the force and its x-intercept 𝑖𝑥 .

Figure 6

Engr. Edna P. Montañez | Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges