Moment

Turning effect of a force about a pivot

is called moment.
Everyday examples of moment
Opening a door
Losing and tighten nut using spanner or
wrench

Lifting a load with wheelbarrow

Lifting a heavy object using crowbar/lever
 Moment of a force can be calculated by
using the formula:
Moment of a force = force × perpendicular
distance from pivot to
force
m=F×d

Unit of moment is Newton meter (Nm) or

Newton centimeter (Ncm)
The moment of a force can be increase:

 by applying higher force

 increasing perpendicular distance from
pivot
Worked example
A boy loses the nut using 0.25 meter long
spanner. He applied 50N of force on the
spanner. Calculate the moment of a force
produce.
Ans: moment = F × d
moment = 50 × 0.25 = 12.5 Nm
Principle of moment
If an object is in equilibrium: the sum
of the clockwise moments about any
point is equal to the sum of the anti-
clockwise moments about that point.

total clockwise moment = total anti-clockwise moment

F×d=F×d
Conditions for equilibrium
When a beam is balanced, we say that is in
equilibrium. If an object is in equilibrium:
the force on it must be balanced (no
resultant force)
the turning effects of the forces on it must
also be balanced (no resultant turning
effect).
Worked example:

The diagram shows a uniform half-metre rule

balanced at its mid-point.

What is the weight of the metal block?

Ans: F × d = F × d
F × 20 = 100 × 15
F = 100 × 15 / 20 = 75 N
Centre of gravity (centre of mass)
Centre of gravity (mass) of a body is the point about
which the entire weight (mass) of the body seems to
act.

The centre of gravity may be regarded as the point of

balance.

The centre of gravity of a body is in the same position

as its centre of mass.
 The centre of gravity of regular and uniform
(made all of the same material) objects are at
their geometrical centers’.

C,G
C.G

 For a uniform ruler, C.G is at the centre and

when supported at this point it balances and
when supported at any other point it topples.
 Centre of gravity of certain objects lies outside
the actual material of the object.
Cut a letter “L” out of a metal or plywood and
stick on a sheet of thin paper to complete the
rectangles as shown in the figure below
 Finding center of gravity of irregular
shape lamina
You are provide with
Irregular lamina
Thread and a bob
Nail clamped in a stand

Procedure:
Make three hole A, B and C on the lamina. First hang it on
the point A, so that it can swing freely on a nail clamped in
a stand. To locate the vertical line through A tie a plumb
line to the nail as shown above.
 When the plumb line comes to the rest, draw line of
plumb line by using ruler and pencil. Mark it as line AD
as shown below.

 Then repeat the same procedure with point B and C,

Where the line AD, BE and CF intersect is the center of
gravity of the lamina as shown below.
What is the position of centre of mass of the
tractor?
Stability
Ability of returning its original position after pushed and
then released is stability of an object.
Stability can be increased by
 Lowering the centre of gravity of the object
 Increasing the base area of the object

Racing cars low centre of gravity and

a wider wheel base for higher
stability
Which of the following glass is more
stable?