(1)For a symmetrical

(regularly shaped )
object with uniform
W
density it is at its
geometrical centre
The centre of gravity of an object is
(2)For an irregularly
defined as the
shaped object point where all the weight
and/or
of the
with object
non- may be considered to act.
uniform
density the centre of
the weight can be
found by using a
plumb line.
An object that is not a point object is
referred to as a body.

If several forces acting to the body

not on a point, then the forces may cause
the body to move in a straight line and it
could also cause body to rotate (turning
effect).
turning effect
 The turning effects of forces
(1) Moments of a force
The moment of a force is a measure of its turning
effect.

The moment of a force= Force Perpendicular

distance of the pivot from the line of action of the
force.
Units: Nm.
(The moment of the force is also called as a torque when a force
is used to turn an object about an axis.)
 AS Physics

point (pivot) point (pivot)

moment of moment of force

force = F1 x1 = F2 x2 = F2 d sin
 AS Physics

The principle of moments

For any object that is in equilibrium,the
sum of the clockwise moments about any
point provide by the forces acting on the
objects equals the sum of the anticlockwise
moments about that same points.
 AS Physics

We can use the idea of the moment of

a force to solve two sorts of problem:

1. Check whether an object will remain

balanced or start to rotate.

2. Calculate an unknown force or distance if

we know that an object is balanced.
 AS Physics

Example Beam is in equilibrium , X=?

10 1.0 20 0.5 0.8 X

Answer: X = 25 N
clockwise anticlockwise
 AS Physics

F is force that the

gardener needs to
exert to hold the
wheelbarrows legs
off the ground

400 0.20 1.20F Answer: F = 67 N

clockwise anticlockwise
 AS Physics

(2)The torque of a couple

A pair of equal and opposite forces,

not acting in the same straight line, is
called a couple. F
d
F F
d
F F
d
F
 The torque of couple
Torque of couple=one of the forces X
perpendicular distance between the
forces
T = F d
T= torque, in Nm
F= force, in N
d= perpendicular distance between the
lines of action of the force, in m
 For an object to be in equilibrium,two
conditions must be met at the same time:

The resultant force acting on the

object is zero.
The resultant moment is zero.
THANK YOU!!!