Name_______________________ IGCSE Physics Practical Activity

Turning Effect of forces

The turning effect of a force is called the moment of a force. It depends
on the size of the force and the distance between the force and the
pivot.

The moment is large when the force is large or the distance is large.
Moment (Nm) = Force (N) X Perpendicular Distance from Pivot (m

Example 1

Moment on the left = F x d = 50000 x 5 =250000Nm

Moment on the right = F x d = 10000 25 =250000Nm
Moments are the same so the crane is balanced.

Moments Practical
Instructions
1. Place 1 mass piece at 7. Using the moment equation find the
distance where a single mass piece must be placed in order to
balance the system. Prove this practically.

2. Place 1 mass piece at 7. Using the moment equation find the

distance where another 2 mass pieces must be placed in order to
balance the system. Prove this practically.

3. Place 1 mass piece at 7. Using the moment equation find the

distance where another 3 mass pieces must be placed in order to
balance the system. Prove this practically.

4. Place 3 mass pieces at 7. Using the moment equation find the

distance where another 4 mass pieces must be placed in order to
balance the system. Prove this practically.

5. Place 3 mass pieces at 7. Using the moment equation find the

distance where another 5 mass pieces must be placed in order to
balance the system. Prove this practically.

6. Place 3 mass pieces at 7. Using the moment equation find the

distance where another 7 mass pieces must be placed in order to
balance the system. Prove this practically.
7. Place 3 mass pieces at 7. Using the moment equation find the
distance where another 7 mass pieces must be placed in order to
balance the system. Prove this practically.

Question 1
1.1.

1.2.

1.3.

Question 2

4.