Calculating Force for Torque: Understanding Proper Spark Plug Tightening

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the force required to tighten a spark plug to a specified torque of 26 N·m, using the lever arm length provided in a drawing. The subject area includes concepts of torque and force in mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the force using the torque formula but questions their result, suggesting a possible misunderstanding of the lever arm length versus the perpendicular distance. Other participants inquire about the correct perpendicular distance and its relation to the geometry of the wrench setup.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively exploring the relationship between the lever arm length and the perpendicular distance needed for the torque calculation. There is a focus on clarifying the geometry involved, with some participants questioning the assumptions made about the dimensions provided.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of a right-angled triangle formed by the wrench, with a hypotenuse of 0.28 m and an angle of 50 degrees, indicating potential complexities in determining the correct perpendicular distance for the torque calculation.

IAmSparticus
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1. You are installing a new spark plug in your car, and the manual specifies that it be tightened to a torque that has a magnitude of 26 N·m. Using the data in the drawing, determine the magnitude F of the force that you must exert on the wrench.



2. Torque= Force * Lever arm length



3. The force is said to be 26 N*m, and the lever arm length is shown to be 0.28 cm in the picture.

26 N*m = F * 0.28 m
F= 26 N*m/0.28m
F= 92.86 N

Which is wrong. What did I do wrong?
 

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0.28 is the length of it, not the perpendicular distance. What is the perpendicular distance it nust move?
 
Is it 16.165 cm (.16165 m)?
 
IAmSparticus said:
Is it 16.165 cm (.16165 m)?

How did you get that?

The wrench forms a right angled triangle with hypotenuse 0.28 which makes an angle of 50 with the horizontal.
 

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