Name: Class: Date:

Moment of a Force

The moment of a force means the turning effect of a force.

Moment =
=

The unit for moment is .

Example 1:
A 0.30 m spanner is used to loosen a nut (Fig 1). If a force of 20 N is applied at the end of the handle,
what is the moment of the force?

Solution:
Moment = F x d 0.3m
20N
= 20 x 0.30
= 6 Nm. Fig 1

 This example shows that using the same force with a longer spanner produces a larger
moment. This means that the nut can be loosened more easily.

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 Principle of Moments

The principle of moments states that when an object is in equilibrium, the total clockwise
moments is equal to the total anticlockwise moments.
Total clockwise moments = total anticlockwise moments

Example 2:

John whose weight is 350 N sits at a distance of 2.0 m from the fulcrum of a see-saw. Sam weighs 400
N. at what distance from the fulcrum must Sam sit so that the see-saw is balanced?

Solution:

Sam
John

2.0m

350N 400N

Taking moments about the fulcrum O,

clockwise moment = anticlockwise moment

400 × x = 350 × 2.0
x = 1.75m

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Classwork 1:

The load on a wheelbarrow as shown in Fig 2 is 500 N. what is the least force F required to lift the
wheelbarrow?

Classwork 2:

A light rod AB is hinged at end A and a load of 100 N hung from the end B (Fig 3). What is the
reading of the spring balance?
NB: Remember
what a spring
balance is used to
measure.

0.8m
A B

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Classwork 3:

The weight of a uniform metre rule is 4.0N. a load of 2.0N is hung from the 0cm mark and another
load of 6.0N is hung from the 100cm mark. At which point must the metre rule be pivoted so that it
remains horizontal?

Classwork 4:

Jack and Jill weigh 700N and 500N respectively. They sit at two ends of a 4.0m see-saw. Where must
Mary who weighs 400N sit so that the see-saw is balanced horizontally?

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 Centre of Gravity

The centre of gravity of an object is the point where its whole weight seems to act.

For a regularly shaped object, its centre of gravity C can be found geometrically.

Procedure to find the centre of gravity of an irregularly shaped object.

1) Cut a piece of cardboard into an irregular shape.
2) Make three holes A, B, C at different points on the edge
of the object by pushing a pin through it.
3) Allow the object to hang freely from a pin through the
hole A.
4) Hang a plumbline from the same pin and mark the point
A1 on the object. The centre of gravity lies on the line
AA1.
5) Repeat the procedure by hanging the object from the
holes B and C.
6) The centre of gravity is located at the point of
intersection of the lines AA1, BB1 and CC1.
7) Try balancing the object horizontally at its centre of
gravity with the end of a pencil.

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 Stability

Stability is a measure of a body’s ability to maintain its original position.

A body is in either of three kinds of equilibrium positions. Namely
1. Stable equilibrium
2. Unstable equilibrium
3. Neutral equilibrium

Stable equilibrium – an object in stable equilibrium will return to its rest position after it is
displaced slightly.

Unstable equilibrium – an object in unstable equilibrium will topple after it is displaced

slightly.

Neutral equilibrium – an object in neutral equilibrium will remain in its new position after it is
displaced slightly.

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There are two ways to make a body more stable.
1. Lowering its centre of gravity;
2. Increasing the area of its base.

Hanging objects are stable because their centres

of gravity hang below the pivot or point of
suspension (a). Any displacement of a hanging
object causes its centre of gravity to rise and
provides a moment which pulls it back down
again (b).

Classwork 4:
A uniform half-metre rule of mass 30g is pivoted at one end A. A 50g mass is suspended at the other
end B and the whole setup is kept in equilibrium by a string tied at 20 cm from B. calculate the
tension T in the string, take g = 10m/s2.

NB: Tension is a
kind of
.

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Classwork 5:

A table lamp (fig a) has a circular base of diameter 120mm and a height of 300mm. It stands on a
rough horizontal surface. The centre of mass of the table lamp is 90mm above the base.
a) With the help of a diagram, explain why the table lamp topples when a certain angle of tilt is
exceeded.
b) Explain why it is possible for the centre of mass to be only 90mm above the base.
c) When a horizontal force of 8N is applied at the top of the table lamp as shown in the (fig b), the
table lamp just begins to pivot about its base. Calculate the mass of the table lamp.
d) Give two reason why fitting a thin but heavy metal disc of diameter 160mm to the base would
improve the stability