Torque explained

Torque

Torque is a physical quantity that measures how much force can make an object rotate around an axis

True or false the longer the moment arm the less torque produced

True, if there is a longer moment arm, more torque is produced; this is because torque is directly proportional to the length of the moment arm, meaning the greater the distance between the force application point and the axis of rotation (moment arm), the higher the Resulting torque will be

Explain this picture

The longer the moment arm the less force required to produce greater torque.

Torque = force x distance (moment arm)

Will greater torque be applied with a force of 5lbs and a distance of 2ft or with a force of 5 lbs and a distance of 5ft

5lbs (force) and 5ft (distance/moment arm)

T = 25

The moment arm is longer therefore the amount of torque increases

Explain how torque is effected in this picture

Person 1 has a weight (force) of 50lbs and a distance (moment arm) of 6ft

Person 2 has a weight (force) of 100lbs so he is placed closer to the axis at a distance (moment arm) of 3ft in order for a better ability to produce torque

Person 1. T=50lbs x 6ft T=300

Person 2. T=100lbs x 3ft T=300

If a person is seated at a leg extension machine with their knees bent at a 90° angle why do they have a greater torque advantage than a person who is seated with their knees bent extended completely

Person 1 has the advantage because they moment arm is the longest at this point (90° at the joint creates the longest moment arm in almost any joint) there force they have a greater ability to produce torque than person 2 who has a shorter moment arm and will need to produce more force to produce more or equal amount of torque

How does force effect the amount of torque

If there is a longer distance to travel (shorter moment arm) the more force will need to be created to produce the same amount of torque as if the moment arm was longer

note: do not mistake the fully extended joints for joints with longer moment arms. If the joint is fully extended the distance between the joint and the force of application (the working muscles tendon) the moment arm is shorter

Explain why person 1 has a greater mechanical advantage

Person one has a longer moment arm and will be able to produce torque more efficiently without having to apply as much force as person two

Remember: t = f x d

Which arm has the best Mechanical advantage and ability to produce torque

The 2nd person. This person has created the longest moment arm therefore increasing the amount of torque produced.

a longer moment arm results in a greater ability to produce torque, meaning a larger rotational force can be generated with the same amount of applied force. 

What would you need to do to person 1 in order for them to get the same torque as person 2

Lower their weight. If they have a short moment arm and a heavy weight they will need to produce more force in order to get the same amount of torque as person two. But if you decrease the weight it will balance out and create the same effect as person 2

T = f x d

in which position is the moment arm the shortest and how does that effect torque

1st position. The moment arm being short means that more force will need to be applied in order to get the same rotational effect as person 2 who has a longer moment arm

Why is person 2 more mechanically efficient that the other two

Because his moment arm is at the longest point and he will not need to apply as much force to produce torque

What happens to torque when there is a smaller moment arm

If the moment arm is shorter, the ability to produce torque is also lower; meaning a shorter moment arm results in less torque being generated with the same amount of force applied

Which has a greater ability to produce torque with the least amount of force

1) a distance of 7ft and a force of 3lbs

2) a distance of 6ft and a force of 3lbs

3) a distance of 6ft and a force of 2lbs

1 the moment arm is the longest at this point

Explanation

1) t = 7 × 3 (21)

2) t = 6 × 3 (18)

3) t = 6 × 2 (12)

TRUE or FALSE torque is directly related to the length of a moment arm

True

The shorter the moment arm the less torque will be produced without increasing force

The longer the moment arm the more torque will be produced without increasing force