Force

Give Reasons

Moment of force (Torque)

I. Why handle is provided near the free end of a door (Page 3)

1. The turning effect on a body about an axis is due to the moment of force (or torque) applied on the
body
2. Moment of force (Torque) = Force x Perpendicular distance
3. Turning of a body about an axis depends upon magnitude of force and perpendicular distance of line
of action of the applied force from the axis of rotation (Fixed point). Larger the perpendicular
distance less the force needed to turn the body.
4. For producing maximum turning effect on the door by a given force, the force is applied on a body at
a point for which the perpendicular distance of the line of action of the force from the axis of rotation
is maximum so that the given force provides the maximum torque to turn the body
5. When the handle is at the free end of the door, the perpendicular distance of the line of action of the
force from the axis of rotation is the maximum thus producing the maximum turning effect on the
door by a given force
6. If the perpendicular distance decreases then larger force is required to generate the same Moment of
force to open the door i.e. if force is applied midway between the handle and the hinge double the
force is required to open the door and if the force is applied at the hinge then the door, we will not be
able to open the door howsoever large the force may be as the perpendicular distance is zero.

II. The Upper circular stone of a hand flour grinder is provided with a handle near its rim (Page 3)

III. For turning a steering wheel, a force is applied tangentially on the rim of the wheel (Page 3)
IV. In a bicycle, to turn the wheel anticlockwise, a small force is applied at the foot pedal of the tooted
wheel of size bigger than the rear wheel (Page 3)
V. A spanner used to tighten or loosen a nut has a long handle (Page 4)
Couple

I. To open a nut of a car wheel we apply equal forces at the two ends of the wrench’s arm in opposite
direction
1. A single force applied on a pivoted body is not be enough to cause rotation of the body
2. A pair of equal and opposite parallel forces called a couple is required to produce a rotation on a pivoted
body
3. When we require a large turning effect on a pivoted body, two forces equal in magnitude but in opposite
directions are applied on the body explicitly such that both the forces turn the body in the same
direction.
II. To open a water tap we apply equal forces at the two ends of the tap in opposite direction
III. To tighten the cap of an ink pot we apply equal forces at the two ends of the cap in opposite direction
IV. To turn a key in a key hole we apply equal forces at the two sides of the key in opposite direction
V. To wind a clock or a watch we apply equal forces at the two sides of the winding key in opposite direction
VI. To open a door we apply a force on the handle of the door.
1. When we open a door the rotation of the door is produced by a couple consisting of two force
a. Force exerted at the handle of the door
b. An equal and opposite force of reaction at the hinge
VII. To turn a steering wheel we apply equal forces at the two sides of the wheel in opposite direction

VIII. To drive a pedal of a bicycle we apply equal forces at the two sides of the pedal in opposite direction

IX. Spinning a Top

X. Tightening a screw using a screw driver
Equilibrium

Static

I. When does a beam balance, balanced in horizontal position? Why? (Page 5)

1. The is balance in a horizontal position when the clockwise moment of force due to the object on the
right pan balances the anticlockwise moment of force due to weights on the left pan
2. The beam has no rotational motion i.e. it is in static equilibrium and thus the balance remains in the
state of rest
II.

Dynamic

I. A rain Drop travels with a constant velocity (Page 6)

II. A stone tied at the end of a string when whirled travels with uniform speed (Page 6)

Centre of Gravity

I. Luggage compartment of a tour bus is located at the bottom and not the top
II. Extra passengers are not allowed on the upper deck of a crowded double decker bus
III. Racing Cars are build low and broad for stability
1. The position of the centre of gravity of an object affects its stability.
2. The lower the centre of gravity (G) is, the more stable the object
3. The higher it is the more likely the object is to topple over if it is pushed
4. Racing cars have really low centres of gravity so that they can corner rapidly without turning
over

IV. Table lamps, fans are designed with large heavy bases to make them stable

V. The legs of baby high chair are set wide apart so that the chair is stable
VI. Rugby players will stand with their feet well apart if they are standing and expect to be tackled
1. The position of the centre of gravity of an object affects its stability.
2. The lower the centre of gravity (G) is, the more stable the object
3. The higher it is the more likely the object is to topple over if it is pushed.

Centripetal force

VII. An electrons moves around the nucleus in a circular path

VIII. Planets move around the Sun
IX. Moon moves around earth
X. When a stone tied at the end of a string is whirled in a circular motion

If we kick a football and stone of the same size, the football can go a long way but the stone may not even move.

1. Both football and Stone have the same size but different masses
2. Football has less mass and thus less inertia. Greater the inertial