Moments

• Moment


  The rotational or turning effect of a force
• Longer spanner


  Easier to use than a short spanner
• People with different weights


  Can balance on a seesaw
• Calculating moment


  Force applied x Perpendicular distance from pivot
• Perpendicular distance is the distance at right angles to the direction of the force
• Applying force at a weird angle reduces the perpendicular distance and therefore the moment
• Calculating force to generate a 16 N.m moment at 0.1 m from pivot

  Moment / Distance = Force, so 16 N.m / 0.1 m = 160 N
• Multiple moments can act on the same object, like a seesaw
• Clockwise and anticlockwise moments are compared to the pivot
• Balancing a seesaw

  Total clockwise moment = Total anticlockwise moment