P1.5.2 Turning effects of forces

What is moment?

• The measure of the turning effect of a force

  • Moments act about a point in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction.

What is the equation for moment?

• Moment (Nm) = force (N) x perpendicular distance from the pivot (cm or m)

What are the conditions for a system to be in equilibrium?

• The forces acting in one direction must be equal in size to the forces acting in the opposite direction (there must be no resultant forces)

• The clockwise moment acting on the body must be equal to the anticlockwise moment acting on the body (there must be no resultant moments)

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