Calculating torque for a bent lever

  • Thread starter Thread starter sfsy1
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Lever Torque
AI Thread Summary
To calculate torque for a bent lever, the key factor is the perpendicular distance from the force's line of action to the pivot point. The shape of the lever does not affect the torque calculation as long as the force is applied correctly. Both diagrams yield the same torque if the force (N) and distance (x) are equivalent, but the actual values of x differ in each case. For maximum torque, the force should be applied perpendicularly to the line connecting the lever's end to the pivot. Understanding these principles clarifies the torque calculation process.
sfsy1
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
[PLAIN]http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/8218/diagram.gif

to calculate the torque (N*x) which one is correct? the one on top, or below.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
I don't understand the question. The fact that the lever is bent doesn't matter. To find the torque, you want the perpendicular distance from the line of action of the force to the pivot. If N and x are the same, the torque is the same for both diagrams.
 
sorry the diagram is unclear, but the X is different for the first case, and the second case, N is the same.
 
but anyway, i think i understand it now, thanks!
 
sfsy1 said:
sorry the diagram is unclear, but the X is different for the first case, and the second case, N is the same.
I think I know what you're asking. Imagine a straight line connecting the end of the lever to the pivot. To maximize the torque for a given force, you want the force to be perpendicular to that line. (Neither diagram shows that.) That will maximize your value for X.
 
thanks for your help!
 
Hi there, im studying nanoscience at the university in Basel. Today I looked at the topic of intertial and non-inertial reference frames and the existence of fictitious forces. I understand that you call forces real in physics if they appear in interplay. Meaning that a force is real when there is the "actio" partner to the "reactio" partner. If this condition is not satisfied the force is not real. I also understand that if you specifically look at non-inertial reference frames you can...
I have recently been really interested in the derivation of Hamiltons Principle. On my research I found that with the term ##m \cdot \frac{d}{dt} (\frac{dr}{dt} \cdot \delta r) = 0## (1) one may derivate ##\delta \int (T - V) dt = 0## (2). The derivation itself I understood quiet good, but what I don't understand is where the equation (1) came from, because in my research it was just given and not derived from anywhere. Does anybody know where (1) comes from or why from it the...

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
9
Views
1K
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
6K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
982
Back
Top