Experiment 5: Torque or Moment of a Force — Worked Examples
The examples use signed moments about a chosen fulcrum and show why the perpendicular moment arm—not simply the distance along the beam—controls torque.
Example 1: Torque from a perpendicular force
A downward force of acts to the right of a pivot. Determine the torque magnitude.
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0 of 2 Steps CompletedExample 2: Force applied at an angle
A force acts at a point from the pivot and makes with the beam. Determine the torque magnitude.
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0 of 2 Steps CompletedExample 3: Find the balance position of a second mass
A mass hangs left of a fulcrum. Where should a mass be placed on the right to balance the beam if the beam's own weight acts through the fulcrum?
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The first balance gives . After adding a known load to pan 1, the new balance is . Determine and .
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A meter stick has center of gravity at the mark and is supported at . A total hanging mass of placed to the right of the pivot balances the stick. Determine the stick mass.
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About a pivot, a downward force acts to the left, a downward force acts to the right, and a downward force acts to the right. Take counterclockwise as positive.
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A torque calculation gives while a platform balance gives . Determine percent difference relative to the measured reference mass.
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A hanging load acts vertically at a point from the pivot. If the beam is tilted above horizontal, what fraction of the horizontal-beam torque remains?