force to rotate an object about some axis (fulcrum or pivot). A twist. Depends on: 1. the force applied 2. the length of the lever arm connecting the axis to the point of force application 3. the angle between the two.
Examples A screwdriver turning a screw A bicycle wheel rotating The hands of a clock A door opening A merry-go-round rotating A propeller on a ship Application of Torque The farther the Force is from the axis, the easier it is to rotate the object because there is more torque. For example, its easier to open a door by applying force to the edge of the door than applying the same force closer to the hinge.
Formula for Torque = F x d Where F is the applied Force and d is the length of the lever arm
Note: A force of 3N applied 2m from the fulcrum exerts the same torque as 1N applied 6m from the fulcrum.
the SI unit of torque is the "newton meter (Nm). Example: What is the minimum force needed to loosen a nut on the wheel of a car, if the torque has a magnitude of 25 Nm, and the wrench is 40 cm long?
40 cm x 1m/100 cm = .04 m
F = T/d F = 25/.04 F = 625 N Right Hand Rule The direction of the torque can be determined by using the right hand grip rule: curl the fingers of your right hand to indicate the direction of rotation, and stick your thumb out so it is aligned with the axis of rotation. Your thumb points in the direction of the torque vector. Derived Formulas & Net Torque F = /d d = /F
net = 1 + 2
Center of Mass The center of mass of a system of particles is a specific point at which the system's mass behaves as if it were concentrated. It does not always coincide with its intuitive geometric center. In the case of a rigid body, the position of its center of mass is fixed in relation to the object. In the case of a loose distribution of masses in free space, the position of the center of mass is a point in space among them.
Moment of Inertia A measure of how the mass of an object is distributed and how easy or hard it is to get the object rotating (its resistance to changes in rotational motion) Variable = I Unit = kgm 2 A derivation of Newtons 2 nd Law gives us = I ( I is correlated to mass & to force; a is acceleration) And I = / and = / I Example: Find the moment of inertia of barrel rolling down a hill if the torque is 12 Nm and the acceleration is 5.8 m/s 2 .
I = T/a I = 12/5.8 I = 2 kgm 2
Moment of Inertia and Torque The farther the center of mass is from the axis of rotation the greater the moment of inertia and the harder it is to make the object rotate. Same as Center of Gravity? In an entirely uniform gravitational field, the center of mass is often called the center of gravity the point where gravity can be said to act.
Angular Momentum Because a rotating object has inertia, it also has momentum associated with its rotation. Ex: Isnt it hard to swing a heavy sledgehammer and hard to stop it swinging?
When torque is zero, the angular momentum of a body is constant and conserved.
The torque on a body determines the rate of change of its angular momentum.
Angular Momentum Formula L = r x p or L = I x w L is the angular momentum of the particle r is the radius of the circle p is the linear momentum of the particle (P = Mass X Velocity) I is the moment of inertia w is angular velocity
Unit is: Nms derived formulas R = L/p I = L/w
p = L/r w = L/I Example: What is the angular momentum of a bicycle wheel with a mass of 20 g and a diameter of 0.50 m. It is rotating at a speed of 65 mps.
m = 20 g x 1kg/1000g = 0.02 kg p = m(v) = 0.02 kg x 65 = 1.3 kgm/s r = Diameter/2 = 0.50/2 = 0.25 m
L = r(p) = 0.25(1.3) = 0.325 Nms
Angular Momentum The conservation of angular momentum explains the angular acceleration of an ice skater as she brings her arms and legs close to the vertical axis of rotation. By bringing part of the mass of her body closer to the axis she decreases her body's moment of inertia. Because angular momentum is constant in the absence of external torques, the angular velocity (rotational speed) of the skater has to increase.