How can you calculate nonequilibrium torque and its effects on an extended body?

[MAins]

Can somebody give an example of nonequilibrium torque and how to go about doing calculations for it? So, for example, for an EQUILIBRIUM problem if you have an aircraft moving with constant velocity there's a drag force in one horizontal direction and a tension opposing it 2 m below the center of mass due to engine thrusters. There's also gravity at the CM and an opposing lift force. If it was nonequilibrium I'm guessing it would be not at constant velocity (would there be any other situation in which it would not be at equilibrum?). If you wish to determine the distance above the CM that the drag force acts, how would the calculations change?


At equilibrium, you set F_y and F_x to 0, and torque to 0 and work from there...

 

[Hootenanny]

Indeed, if there is a non-zero net torque acting on an extended body, then there will be a non-zero angular acceleration.

Have a look at http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/circ.html#rotcon" from Hyperphysics.

 

[Moetasim]

To calculate nonequilibrium torque, you would need to consider all the external forces acting on an extended body and their respective distances from the center of mass. The torque at any given point is the force multiplied by the distance from the center of mass, and the net torque is the sum of all individual torques. In order to determine the effects of nonequilibrium torque on an extended body, you would need to analyze the rotational motion of the body and how the external forces are acting on it.

An example of a nonequilibrium torque could be a car accelerating around a curve. In this scenario, the car is not at constant velocity and there are various external forces acting on it, such as friction and centripetal force. The calculations for nonequilibrium torque would involve determining the magnitude and direction of these forces, as well as their respective distances from the center of mass of the car.

In the given example of the aircraft, if it was not at equilibrium, there could be various situations such as changing velocity, acceleration, or rotation. In order to determine the distance above the center of mass that the drag force acts, you would need to calculate the torque of the drag force and compare it to the torque of the other forces acting on the aircraft. This would involve taking into account the direction and magnitude of the drag force, as well as its distance from the center of mass. The calculations would change depending on the specific scenario and the external forces involved.

In summary, calculating nonequilibrium torque involves analyzing the external forces acting on an extended body and their respective distances from the center of mass. This information can then be used to determine the rotational motion and effects on the body. The calculations would change depending on the specific scenario and the forces involved, and it is important to consider all external forces and their respective distances in order to accurately calculate nonequilibrium torque.