Torque and Moments of Force

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to torque and moments of force, focusing on definitions and key concepts from the lecture.

Torque

The turning effect produced by force.

Moment Arm

The perpendicular distance between the axis of rotation and the line of action of the force.

Center of Gravity (cog)

The point at which the distribution of weight is equal in all directions.

Static Equilibrium

A state where the net force and net torque acting on an object sum to zero, ensuring no change in its motion.

Vector Quantity

A quantity that has both magnitude and direction, like torque.

Clockwise

• means negative -

Counterclockwise

• positive +

Equilibrium of Forces

Occurs when all external forces acting on an object sum to zero.

Angular Motion

The motion of an object around an axis.

Force

An interaction that changes the motion of an object, often measured in Newtons.

What creates the turning effects that cause our limbs to rotate about our joints?

muscles