Moments

A moment is the turning effect of a force.

• Even if the forces acting on a body are balanced in the sense that they do not cause the body to change speed, they can still make the body turn.

moment = force x perpendicular distance between line of action and pivot

(Nm) (newtons) (metres)

• To get the MAXIMUM MOMENT you need to push at RIGHT ANGLES to the spanner.
• Pushing at any other angle means a smaller moment.
• This is as the perpendicular distance between the line of action and pivot is smaller.