Torque on a Rigid Body: Explained

In summary, when the net force on a rigid body is zero, the torque about any line perpendicular to the plane of the forces is equal. This is because, when only two equal anti-parallel forces act on a body, it is called a couple and only rotates the body about the center of mass in the plane containing those forces. The torque of these two forces is independent of the choice of origin. However, the statement that angular velocity and angular acceleration are the same for a given rotating rigid body is not true. The angular momentum of a body around any axis is actually the sum of the angular momentum of the body about the center of mass and the angular momentum of the center of mass about that axis considering the entire mass to be
  • #1
miss photon
23
0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

is it true that when the net force on a rigid body is zero, the torque about any line perpendicular to the plane of the forces is equal?

it is known that angular velocity, and hence angular acceleration about any line is the same for a given rotating rigid body.
implies,[tex]\alpha[/tex] is same about all lines.
[tex]\tau[/tex]=I[tex]\alpha[/tex]
if we accept the above statement to be true, then I comes out to be equal about every axis, which we know is not true. so what's the explanation?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
miss photon said:
is it true that when the net force on a rigid body is zero, the torque about any line perpendicular to the plane of the forces is equal?

Perhaps I misunderstood something, but in general all the forces need not act in the same plane.
 
  • #3
miss photon said:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

is it true that when the net force on a rigid body is zero, the torque about any line perpendicular to the plane of the forces is equal?

it is known that angular velocity, and hence angular acceleration about any line is the same for a given rotating rigid body.

When only two equal anti-parallel forces act on a body it’s called a couple. This just rotates the body about the CM in the plane containing those forces. The torque of these two forces is independent of the choice of origin, and the answer to your first Q is yes.

(But there need not be exactly two forces as long as the resultant force is zero. Then also, the net result is a couple.)

Your 2nd statement about ang mom is not true. The ang mom of a body around any axis is the sum of the ang mom of the body about the CM and the ang mom of the CM about that axis considering the whole mass to be residing in the CM.
 
Last edited:

FAQ: Torque on a Rigid Body: Explained

What is torque on a rigid body?

Torque on a rigid body is a measure of the force that causes an object to rotate around an axis. It is a vector quantity and is represented by the symbol "τ" (tau).

How is torque calculated?

Torque is calculated by multiplying the force applied to an object by the distance from the axis of rotation to the point where the force is applied. Mathematically, it can be represented as τ = F x r, where τ is torque, F is force, and r is the distance.

What is the difference between torque and force?

Torque and force are related but different concepts. Force is a push or pull that causes an object to accelerate, while torque is a force that causes an object to rotate around an axis. Additionally, force is a vector quantity with magnitude and direction, while torque is a vector quantity with magnitude, direction, and a point of application.

How does torque affect the motion of a rigid body?

Torque causes a rigid body to rotate around an axis. The direction of the rotation depends on the direction of the torque vector and the direction of the applied force. If the torque is in the same direction as the applied force, the body will rotate in a clockwise direction. If the torque is in the opposite direction, the body will rotate in a counterclockwise direction.

What is the importance of torque on a rigid body?

Understanding torque is essential in many areas of science and engineering, including mechanics, physics, and robotics. It is crucial for predicting and controlling the motion of objects and is used in the design and operation of many machines and structures, such as engines, turbines, and bridges.

Back
Top