Physics 3 - 13.1 Moments

Moments

• The turning effect of a force is called a moment
• The moment of a force depends on how big the force is and how far the force is from the axis of rotation (pivot.)
• An example of a moment is a lever

Calculating moments

To work out a moment, we need to know two things:

-the distance from the pivot that the force is applied 

-the size of the force applied

MOMENT =  force           x           perpendicular distance from the pivot to the force

(Nm)             (N)                          (m)

Principle of moments

If a body is not turning then the total clockwise moment must…