Moments

• Moment - turning effect of a force
• Moment (Nm) = force (N) x distance (m) Make sure to use PERPENDICULAR distance from the pivot
• Moment = 50 x 0.3

  15 Nm =

  
• Balanced moments -

  Left side Right side force x distance = force x distance

  • when balanced there is the same moment on each side
• Why objects topple -

  • the weight of an object acts directly down to earth from the centre of mass
  • when the object is tilted/wobbled there is a point when the line of action (weight downwards) is outside the object
  • this makes an unbalanced moment causing the block to topple

  
• moments - why objects topple

  The centre of mass acting downwards is out of the object causing an unbalanced moment which makes it topple

  
• Balanced moment -

  clockwise moment = anticlockwise moment