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Moments and Torque

Torque, also called moment or moment of force, is the tendency of a force to
rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull,
a torque can be thought of as a twist.

d1 d2

F1
Unfortunately for the donkey, the moment of the
donkey about the axle (1 1 ) is less than the
moment of the cargo about the axle (2 2 ).
F2
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Definition of a Moment
d

= =
A
UNITS:

The moment or torque of the force F about point A is a measure of the tendency
of F to produce rotation about point A.

Notice that d is the shortest distance from the line of action of F to point A. In
other words, .

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Consider the moment of F about point A for the cases below.

line of action
F
d
d
A
A

F
=
=

A d A

F
F

= = =0=0

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Class Example
The semicircular segment pivots about point A.
a. What is the moment of F1 about A?
b. What is the moment of F2 about A?

= 100 = 14

a. = 1

= 100 14 = 1,400

A
b. = 2

= 80 0 = 0

F2 = 80 lbs
F1 = 100 lbs
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Class Example
Find the moment of F about point A.

d1 = 2m

A = 100 cos 55 = 57.4

= 100 55 = 81.9
d2 = 3m

+ = 2 + 1

= 57.4 3 + 81.9 2

= 172.2 + 163.8

= 8.4 = 8.4 = 8.4

55

F = 100N
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What is the difference between a moment and a torque?

The words moment and torque are often used interchangeably. A moment and a
torque are physically the same thing; they are both a measure of the tendency of a
force or set of forces to produce rotation.

Moment is a more general term than torque. A torque is a special application of a

moment and generally refers to the tendency to produce rotation about an axle.
Typical usage of these words can vary by discipline and location.

A gearmotor can output a peak torque of 6N-m (physical rotation occurs about the
motor shaft).
The weight of a child who climbs out on the branch of a tree will induce a moment on
the limb; the moment will be maximum at the base of the branch.

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Class Problem
Uncle Fred who weighs 200 lbs. is riding a Ferris wheel at the county fair along with his 80 lb. son, Freddie.
The Ferris wheel has a diameter of 30 feet.
a. What moment will Uncle Fred exert about the center of rotation (point A) when q = 45 if he is the only
one riding? Will this moment act clockwise (CW) or counter clockwise (CCW)?
b. What moment will Freddie exert about the center of rotation (point A) when q = 45 if he is the only
one riding (his angle is actually 45 + 90 = 135)? Will this moment act CW or CCW?
c. What is the net moment about point A when q = 45 and both are riding? Assume that a CW moment is
positive and a CCW moment is negative. Is the net moment CW or CCW?
d. Derive an equation for the moment about point A as a function of q when both people are riding.
e. Using Mathcad, plot the net moment for q = 0 to q = 360.

Assumptions:
Ignore dynamic effects.
Assume the weights of Uncle Fred and Freddie
are centered at the pin where their chairs are
connected to the circular structure.