Turning Effect of a Force

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the turning effect of a force, including definitions and applications.

Moment of a Force

Defined as the product of the force and the perpendicular distance from the pivot to the line of action of the force.

Newton Meter (Nm)

SI unit for measuring the moment of a force.

Anticlockwise Moment

Moment due to forces that tend to make an object turn in the anticlockwise direction about a pivot.

Clockwise Moment

Moment due to forces that tend to make an object turn in the clockwise direction about a pivot.

Principle of Moments

States that for a system in equilibrium, the sum of clockwise moments equals the sum of anticlockwise moments about the same point.

Parallel Forces

Forces acting in the same or opposite directions, where the sum of forces acting on one side equals the sum on the opposite side.

Couples

Equal and opposite forces acting parallel to each other, creating rotation about a pivot.

Turning Effect

The ability of a force to cause an object to rotate about a pivot.

Lever Arm

The perpendicular distance from the pivot to the line of action of the force, affecting the moment produced.

Torque

Another name for the moment of a force, indicating the rotational effect of a force applied at a distance from a pivot.