Calculating resultant torque using cross product

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the resultant torque using the cross product of a lever arm vector and a force vector. The lever arm vector is given as A=2.0i+3.0j, and the force vector as B=3.0i-4.0j. Participants are exploring how to compute A x B, B x A, and 2A x 3B without prior instruction on torque.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants express uncertainty about how to start the problem, particularly regarding the absence of an angle needed for the sine function in the torque formula. There are attempts to calculate the cross products, with some questioning the results they obtained. Others discuss the geometric and algebraic interpretations of the cross product.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided links to external resources for further understanding, while others are clarifying their interpretations of the cross product. There is an ongoing exploration of the implications of having no z-component in the vectors.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the teacher has not covered the topic of torque due to illness, which adds to the uncertainty in their understanding of the problem. There is also a mention of the need for an angle in the torque formula, which is not provided in the problem statement.

steffercakes
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1."In this exercise, you will be finding the resultant torque from the cross product of a lever arm with a force vector. The lever arm vector is A=2.0i+3.0j. The force vector is B=3.0i-4.0j.
Find A x B
B x A
and 2A x 3B




2.My teacher has been sick the past few days so hasnt taught us anything about torque yet, but the homework is still due. I'm not sure where to start because every formula I've read about how to do these says to include sinθ, but an angle was not given.



3. is it just: 6i-12j+1k
-6i+12j-1k
and 36i-72j+6k? Someone please help me understand how these are done.
 
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Last edited:
steffercakes said:
1."In this exercise, you will be finding the resultant torque from the cross product of a lever arm with a force vector. The lever arm vector is A=2.0i+3.0j. The force vector is B=3.0i-4.0j.
Find A x B
B x A
and 2A x 3B




2.My teacher has been sick the past few days so hasnt taught us anything about torque yet, but the homework is still due. I'm not sure where to start because every formula I've read about how to do these says to include sinθ, but an angle was not given.



3. is it just: 6i-12j+1k
-6i+12j-1k
and 36i-72j+6k? Someone please help me understand how these are done.

There are two interpretations of the cross-product:

Geometrical Interpretation:

\vec{A}x\vec{B} = |A||B|\sin \theta \hat{n}

Algebraic Interpretation:

\vec{A} = A_x i + A_y j + A_z k
\vec{B} = B_x i + B_y j + B_z k
\vec{A}x\vec{B} = (A_y B_z-A_z B_y)i + (A_z B_x - A_x B_z)j + (A_x B_y - A_y B_x)k
 
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Or you can learn from this video also.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
CKOMETTER said:
There are two interpretations of the cross-product:

Geometrical Interpretation:

\vec{A}x\vec{B} = |A||B|\sin \theta \hat{n}

Algebraic Interpretation:

\vec{A} = A_x i + A_y j + A_z k
\vec{B} = B_x i + B_y j + B_z k
\vec{A}x\vec{B} = (A_y B_z-A_z B_y)i + (A_z B_x - A_x B_z)j + (A_x B_y - A_y B_x)k

ohhh okay, I see now. and if there's no Z (z=0), that makes that direction 0? So in this case the i and j are 0?
 
steffercakes said:
ohhh okay, I see now. and if there's no Z (z=0), that makes that direction 0? So in this case the i and j are 0?

Yes, the cross-product of two vectors results in a vector that it's perpendicular to the plane that contains both vectors: in this case the Z direction.
 

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