Determine the moment of the force about point O

In summary: I had a momentary brain cramp. The torque is indeed counter-clockwise. Good catch!In summary, the conversation discusses the components of a 500N force, its horizontal and vertical components (500cos(45) and 500sin(45)), a radius of 3, and the calculation of the moment of the force about point O. The moment is determined by multiplying the vertical component by the horizontal moment arm and subtracting the product of the horizontal component and the horizontal moment arm. The final answer is 1060.65 Nm, with counter-clockwise rotation being the convention.
  • #1
sHatDowN
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7
Homework Statement
Determine the moment of the force about point O.
Relevant Equations
M = F.d
1681486447153.png


There are components of 500N:

500cos(45)= 353.55
500sin(45)= 353.55

Radius is 3 then

1681486862134.png


M = (353.55*5.12) - (353.55*2.12) = 1060.65is that correct?
 
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  • #2
sHatDowN said:
Homework Statement: Determine the moment of the force about point O.
Relevant Equations: M = F.d

View attachment 324887

There are components of 500N:

500cos(45)= 353.55
500sin(45)= 353.55

Radius is 3 then

View attachment 324888

M = (353.55*5.12) - (353.55*2.12) = 1060.65is that correct?
It's always good practice to show (or state) your convention with the diagram, and show units in computation. Sig figs are probably too many as well. In this case you chose counter-clockwise as positive moment.

Computationally...the calculation is correct.
 
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  • #3
Yes. It's a bit cumbersome that way. More straightforward:
1681490627266.png

The blue vector is ##{1\over 2}r\sqrt 2##. That times the 500 from ##F## is 1061 Nm

##\ ##
 
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  • #4
erobz said:
It's always good practice to show (or state) your convention with the diagram, and show units in computation. Sig figs are probably too many as well. In this case you chose counter-clockwise as positive moment.

Computationally...the calculation is correct.
Thanks alot.
 
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  • #5
sHatDowN said:
M = (353.55*5.12) - (353.55*2.12) = 1060.65
So you are splitting the applied force into its vertical and horizontal components. You computed the torque from the vertical component by multiplying by the horizontal component of the moment arm for the point of application (5.12, 2.12). By inspection, this is a counter-clockwise torque.

You computed the torque from the horizontal component by multiplying against the horizontal moment arm to the same point of application (5.12, 2.12). This time the torque is clockwise, so it will subtract.

That is a viable approach. Straight, by the book, crank and grind.

The approach that I took was different.

The torque from a given force is the same no matter where that force is applied, as long as the revised point of application is somewhere along the "line of action" of the original force.

The drawing makes it clear that the line of action passes through the point (3.00, 0). That simplifies the math. Now the vertical moment arm is zero and we need only consider the vertical force component of 353.55 and the horizontal moment arm of 3.00:$$3.00 * 353.55 = 1060.65$$By inspection, this is a clockwise counter-clockwise torque.
 
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  • #6
jbriggs444 said:
The drawing makes it clear that the line of action passes through the point (3.00, 0). That simplifies the math. Now the vertical moment arm is zero and we need only consider the vertical force component of 353.55 and the horizontal moment arm of 3.00:By inspection, this is a clockwise torque.
I think you wrong it's counter-clouckwise becuase in this case when we applied a force horizontal it's counter-clouckwise.

1681499154933.png
 
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  • #7
sHatDowN said:
it's counter-clockwise
I agree.
 
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  • #8
sHatDowN said:
I think you wrong it's counter-clouckwise becuase in this case when we applied a force horizontal it's counter-clouckwise.
You are right, of course.
 
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FAQ: Determine the moment of the force about point O

What is the moment of a force about a point?

The moment of a force about a point, also known as torque, is a measure of the tendency of the force to rotate an object about that point. It is calculated as the product of the force and the perpendicular distance from the point to the line of action of the force.

How do you calculate the moment of a force about a point?

The moment (M) of a force (F) about a point O is calculated using the formula M = r × F, where r is the position vector from point O to the point of application of the force, and F is the force vector. The cross product (×) ensures that the moment has both magnitude and direction.

What is the significance of the direction of the moment?

The direction of the moment indicates the axis around which the force tends to cause rotation. It is determined using the right-hand rule: if you point the fingers of your right hand in the direction of the position vector (r) and curl them towards the force vector (F), your thumb points in the direction of the moment.

What units are used to measure the moment of a force?

The moment of a force is typically measured in Newton-meters (Nm) in the International System of Units (SI). In the Imperial system, it is measured in pound-feet (lb-ft).

How does the distance from the point to the line of action of the force affect the moment?

The moment of a force is directly proportional to the perpendicular distance from the point to the line of action of the force. A larger distance results in a greater moment, meaning the force has a stronger tendency to cause rotational motion about the point.

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