LECTURE 16

TORQUE AND CENTER OF GRAVITY

7.3 Torque What is unusual about this door?
Net torque

7.4 Gravitational torque and the center of gravity

Calculating the position of the center of gravity
 Learning objectives
2

 Compute torque for a force applied to extended objects using

the definition of torque: 𝜏 = 𝑟𝐹 sin 𝜙 = 𝐹⊥ 𝑟 = 𝐹𝑟⊥ .
 Identify moment arm for a force
 Calculate center of gravity of an object or a collection of
𝑥1 𝑚1 +𝑥2 𝑚2
objects: 𝑥cg =
𝑚1 +𝑚2
 7.3 Torque
3

 Torque is a measure of twisting about a pivot due to a force

applied.
 The line of action of a force 𝐹Ԧ is the line that passes through 𝐹Ԧ
Ԧ
the vector 𝐹.
 𝑟⊥ is moment arm or lever arm of 𝐹, Ԧ defined to be the
shortest distance between the pivot and the line of action of 𝐹. Ԧ 𝜙
𝐹Ԧ⊥
 The radial line connects the pivot and where the force 𝐹Ԧ is 𝐹Ԧ∥
applied. Radial line

 The force vector 𝐹Ԧ can be decomposed into 𝐹Ԧ∥ , parallel to the

Line of action
radial line, and 𝐹Ԧ⊥ , perpendicular to the radial line. 𝑟
Pivot

𝑟⊥
 7.3 Torque
4

 The magnitude of torque (𝜏) is defined as

𝜏 = 𝑟𝐹 sin 𝜙 = 𝐹⊥ 𝑟 = 𝐹𝑟⊥ 𝐹Ԧ

 By convention:
 A torque that tends to rotate the object in a counter-clockwise
direction is positive. 𝜙

 A torque that tends to rotate the object in a clockwise direction is 𝐹Ԧ⊥ 𝐹Ԧ∥
negative. Radial line
 The net torque is the sum of the torques due to the applied
forces. Line of action
𝑟
Pivot
𝜏net = ෍ 𝜏
𝑟⊥
Quiz: 7.3-1
 The four forces shown have the same strength. Rank the forces in the
order of the effectiveness in opening the door, smallest first.
A. 4<1=3<2
B. 1=2=3=4
C. 2<4<3<1
D. 2<3=4<1
E. 4<3<1<2
Quiz: 7.3-1 answer / demo
 The four forces shown have the same strength. 𝑟⊥1
𝑟⊥4
Rank the forces in the order of the Line of action for 𝐹Ԧ2
effectiveness in opening the door, smallest first. 𝑟⊥2 = 0
 The greater the torque a force can apply on
the door about its hinges, the more easily you 𝑟⊥3 Line of action for 𝐹Ԧ1

can open the door.

 𝜏 = 𝐹𝑟⊥ , so compare 𝑟⊥ ’s. Line of action for 𝐹Ԧ3

 0 = 𝑟⊥2 < 𝑟⊥4 < 𝑟⊥3 < 𝑟⊥1 Line of action for 𝐹Ԧ4

 0 = 𝜏2 < 𝜏4 < 𝜏3 < 𝜏1

 2<4<3<1
 Quiz: 7.4-1
7

 Where is the center of gravity of the lifebuoy?

 Quiz: 7.4-1 answer
8

 Where is the center of gravity of the lifebuoy?

 For a highly symmetric object, the center of gravity is
at the center of symmetry.
 The center of gravity is at the geometric center of a
uniform object even if there is no mass at that
location.
 The gravitational torque can be calculated by
assuming that the net force of gravity (the object’s
weight) acts at the center of gravity.
 Fosbury flop
9

 In the 1968 Olympic games, University of Oregon jumper Dick Fosbury introduced a
new technique of high jumping.
 It raised the world record by ~30 cm, and is used by nearly every world-class
jumper.
 The jumper goes over the bar facing up while arching their back, placing their center
of gravity outside of their body, below their back.
 Group discussion: 7.4
10

 The top of a toy ladder leans against a

frictionless wall, and the bottom rests on a
rough floor.
 Draw an extended free body diagram of
the ladder, indicating what kind forces are
applied where on the ladder.
 Group discussion: 7.4 answer
11

 Draw an extended free body diagram of the 𝑛WL

ladder, indicating what kind forces are applied
where on the ladder.
 The weight of the ladder acts at the center of
gravity, at the middle of the ladder.
𝑛FL
 The wall exerts a normal force where the
ladder touches it.
 The floor exerts a normal force and a static 𝑤EL
friction where the ladder touches it.

𝑓ԦFL
 Quiz: 7.4-2
12

 Suppose the top of a toy ladder leans against a 𝑛WL

frictionless wall, and the bottom rests on a rough floor as
shown, and you are trying to calculate the torque on the
ladder about the pivot through where the ladder touches
the floor due to the weight of the ladder. What is the
moment arm of the weight of the ladder?
𝑛FL
A. 𝑑
ℎ
B. 𝑑 Τ2
C. ℎ
𝑤EL
D. ℎ Τ2
E. ℎ2 + 𝑑 2
ℎ 2 𝑑 2
F.
2
+
2 Pivot 𝑓ԦFL
𝑑
 Quiz: 7.4-2 answer
13

 What is the moment arm of the weight of the 𝑛WL

ladder?
 The moment arm is the shortest distance
between the line of action and the pivot.
 𝑑 Τ2 𝑛FL
ℎ
 Follow-up: What is the sign of this torque?
 The weight alone would tend the ladder to 𝑤EL
rotate in clockwise direction, so this torque is Line of action
negative.
Pivot 𝑓ԦFL
𝑑
𝑟⊥ = 𝑑Τ2
 Quiz: 7.4-3
14

 Suppose that he top of a toy ladder leans against a 𝑛WL

frictionless wall, and the bottom rests on a rough floor as
shown, and you are trying to calculate the torque on the
ladder about the pivot through where the ladder touches
the floor due to the normal force by the wall. What is the
moment arm of the normal force by the wall?
𝑛FL
A. 𝑑
ℎ
B. 𝑑 Τ2
C. ℎ
𝑤EL
D. ℎ Τ2
E. ℎ2 + 𝑑 2
ℎ 2 𝑑 2
F.
2
+
2 Pivot 𝑓ԦFL
𝑑
 Quiz: 7.4-3 answer
15

 What is the moment arm of this the normal 𝑛WL

force by the wall?
 The moment arm is the shortest distance Line of action
between the line of action and the pivot.
 ℎ 𝑛FL
𝑟⊥ = ℎ
 Follow-up: What is the sign of this torque?
 The normal force by the wall alone would 𝑤EL
tend the ladder to rotate counterclockwise,
so this torques is positive.
Pivot 𝑓ԦFL
𝑑
 Quiz: 7.4-4
16

 Suppose that the top of a toy ladder with a mass of 𝑛WL

0.55 kg and a length of 0.80 m leans against a
frictionless wall, and the bottom rests on a rough
floor with the ladder making an angle of 50° with
respect to the floor as shown.
 What is the torque due to the weight about the pivot 𝑛FL
ℎ
in N ∙ m?
 Be mindful of the sign. 𝑤EL
50°

Pivot 𝑓ԦFL
𝑑
 Quiz: 7.4-4 answer
17

 Suppose that the top of a toy ladder with a mass of 𝑚 = 0.55 kg 𝑛WL
and a length of 𝐿 = 0.80 m leans against a frictionless wall, and
the bottom rests on a rough floor with the ladder making an angle
of 𝜃 = 50° with respect to the floor as shown.
 What is the torque due to the weight about the pivot in N ∙ m?
 Definition of torque: 𝜏 = 𝑟⊥ 𝐹
𝑑 𝑛FL
 𝜏 = − 𝑤EL
2 ℎ
𝐿
 𝜏=− cos 50° 𝑚𝑔
2

 𝜏=−
0.80 m m
cos 50° (0.55 kg)(9.80 2 )
𝑤EL
2 s
 𝜏 = −1.4 N ∙ m 50°

Pivot 𝑓ԦFL
𝑑
7.4 Gravitational torque and the center of gravity

 An object that is free to rotate about a pivot

will come to rest with the center of gravity
below the pivot point.
 7.4 Gravitational torque and the center of gravity / demo
19

 The torque due to gravity when the pivot is at the

center of gravity is zero.
 The location of the center of gravity is:

𝑥1 𝑚1 + 𝑥2 𝑚2
𝑥cg =
𝑚1 + 𝑚2

 The center of gravity tends to lie closer to the

heavier objects or particles that make up the
object.
 Demos: meter stick, see-saw
 Quiz: 7.4-5
20

 Two uniform thin beams are joined end-to-end as shown to make a

single object. The left beam is 10.0 kg and the 1.00 m long and the
right side is 40.0 kg and 2.00 m long.
 How far from the left end of the left beam is the center of gravity of
the object?
 Quiz: 7.4-5 answer
21

 Two uniform thin beams are joined end-to-end as shown to make a single object. The
left beam is 10.0 kg and the 1.00 m long and the right side is 40.0 kg and 2.00 m
long. How far from the left end of the left beam is the center of gravity of the
object?
 The centers of gravity of each segment of the object are their centers.
𝑥1 𝑚1 +𝑥2 𝑚2
 𝑥cg =
𝑚1 +𝑚2
0.50 m 10.0 kg + 2.0 m 40.0 kg
𝑥1,cg = 0.50 m 𝑥2,cg = 2.00 m
 𝑥cg = 𝑥
10.0 kg+40.0 kg
 𝑥cg = 1.7 m
𝑚1 𝑚2
Pivot
𝑤1
𝑤2