Torque on a hammer conceptual question.

In summary, when trying to loosen a stubborn screw from a piece of wood, it is more effective to use a screwdriver with a fatter handle rather than a longer handle. This is because the tangential force applied around the handle is limited by the torque you can exert from your arm, and more importantly, the static frictional force achieved by your grip on the handle. The equation that relates this tangential force to the resultant torque is \tau = r * F * sin(\theta).
  • #1
bdh2991
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0

Homework Statement



If you are trying to loosen a stubborn screw from a piece
of wood with a screwdriver and fail, should you find a screwdriver for which
the handle is (a) longer or (b) fatter?

Homework Equations



[itex]\tau[/itex] = r * F * sin([itex]\theta[/itex])

The Attempt at a Solution



I guessed longer because i figured that the larger radius would mean that you have a larger torque and need less force than if the radius was short, however the correct answer is B. Can someone explain this to me please?
 
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  • #2
Larger torque, yes, but you don't get that from a longer screwdriver.
When using a given screwdriver, the limiting factor is the tangential force you can apply around the handle. That in turn is limited by the torque you can exert from your arm, but more often it is limited before that by the static frictional force achieved by your grip (as the normal force) on the handle.
What equation would relate such a tangential force to the resultant torque?
(The free body diagram might look unlike anything you're familiar with. If it helps, consider the tangential force as lots of little forces scattered around the handle.)
 

FAQ: Torque on a hammer conceptual question.

What is torque?

Torque is a measure of the force applied to an object that causes it to rotate around an axis. It is often represented by the symbol "τ" and is calculated by multiplying the force applied by the distance from the axis of rotation.

How is torque related to a hammer?

Torque is the force that causes a hammer to rotate around its axis when it is used to hit an object. The longer the handle of the hammer, the greater the torque that can be applied to the object.

How does the weight of a hammer affect its torque?

The weight of a hammer does not directly affect its torque. Torque is determined by the force applied and the distance from the axis of rotation, not the weight of the object. However, a heavier hammer may require more force to produce the same amount of torque as a lighter hammer.

What happens to the torque if the force is applied closer to the axis of rotation?

The torque decreases as the distance from the force to the axis of rotation decreases. This is because a shorter distance means less leverage, and therefore less torque is produced.

Can the direction of the force affect the torque on a hammer?

Yes, the direction of the force can affect the torque on a hammer. If the force is applied perpendicular to the handle of the hammer, it will produce the maximum torque. If the force is applied at an angle, the torque will be decreased.

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