Moment of Force and Levers

Vocabulary flashcards defined directly from the lecture notes on moment of force, levers, conversion factors, and balance principles.

Moment of force

The turning effect produced when a force acts on an object fixed at a fulcrum, causing the object to spin or rotate around that fixed point.

Fulcrum

The fixed point on an object or lever around which the object spins or rotates.

Perpendicular distance

The distance measured from the fixed point (fulcrum) to the applied force that forms a $90$-degree angle.

Formula for Moment of Force

$$\text{MOF} = \text{force} \times \text{perpendicular distance}$$

Unit of Moment of Force

Newton meter ($N tribunal m$ or $N m$), calculated by multiplying force in Newtons ($N$) by distance in meters ($m$).

Factors Increasing Moment of Force

Increasing the magnitude of the applied force or increasing the distance of the force from the pivot or fulcrum.

Principle of Moments for a Balanced Lever

The principle stating that when a lever is balanced, the moment created by the load equals the moment created by the effort ($\text{Load} \times \text{distance of load from fulcrum} = \text{Effort} \times \text{distance of effort from fulcrum}$).

Centimeter to Meter Conversion Rule

To convert a distance measurement from centimeters to meters, divide the length in centimeters by $100$ because $1m=100cm$ .

Mass to Force Conversion Factor

The specific conversion relationship where $1 tribunal kg = 10 tribunal N$, used to convert mass into a force in Newtons.