Determine the moment of the force about point O

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the moment of a force about a specific point, labeled O, using components of a 500N force and relevant equations. The subject area includes concepts of torque and moment calculations in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of torque using both vertical and horizontal components of the applied force. There are varying interpretations of the direction of the torque (clockwise vs. counter-clockwise) based on the force's application and moment arm considerations.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes multiple interpretations of the torque direction and the calculations involved. Some participants affirm the computational correctness of the approach while others suggest different methods or clarify assumptions regarding the moment arm and force components.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of showing conventions in diagrams and the potential overuse of significant figures in calculations. There is an ongoing debate about the correct interpretation of torque direction based on the applied force's orientation.

sHatDowN
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Homework Statement
Determine the moment of the force about point O.
Relevant Equations
M = F.d
1681486447153.png


There are components of 500N:

500cos(45)= 353.55
500sin(45)= 353.55

Radius is 3 then

1681486862134.png


M = (353.55*5.12) - (353.55*2.12) = 1060.65is that correct?
 
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sHatDowN said:
Homework Statement: Determine the moment of the force about point O.
Relevant Equations: M = F.d

View attachment 324887

There are components of 500N:

500cos(45)= 353.55
500sin(45)= 353.55

Radius is 3 then

View attachment 324888

M = (353.55*5.12) - (353.55*2.12) = 1060.65is that correct?
It's always good practice to show (or state) your convention with the diagram, and show units in computation. Sig figs are probably too many as well. In this case you chose counter-clockwise as positive moment.

Computationally...the calculation is correct.
 
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Yes. It's a bit cumbersome that way. More straightforward:
1681490627266.png

The blue vector is ##{1\over 2}r\sqrt 2##. That times the 500 from ##F## is 1061 Nm

##\ ##
 
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erobz said:
It's always good practice to show (or state) your convention with the diagram, and show units in computation. Sig figs are probably too many as well. In this case you chose counter-clockwise as positive moment.

Computationally...the calculation is correct.
Thanks a lot.
 
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sHatDowN said:
M = (353.55*5.12) - (353.55*2.12) = 1060.65
So you are splitting the applied force into its vertical and horizontal components. You computed the torque from the vertical component by multiplying by the horizontal component of the moment arm for the point of application (5.12, 2.12). By inspection, this is a counter-clockwise torque.

You computed the torque from the horizontal component by multiplying against the horizontal moment arm to the same point of application (5.12, 2.12). This time the torque is clockwise, so it will subtract.

That is a viable approach. Straight, by the book, crank and grind.

The approach that I took was different.

The torque from a given force is the same no matter where that force is applied, as long as the revised point of application is somewhere along the "line of action" of the original force.

The drawing makes it clear that the line of action passes through the point (3.00, 0). That simplifies the math. Now the vertical moment arm is zero and we need only consider the vertical force component of 353.55 and the horizontal moment arm of 3.00:$$3.00 * 353.55 = 1060.65$$By inspection, this is a clockwise counter-clockwise torque.
 
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jbriggs444 said:
The drawing makes it clear that the line of action passes through the point (3.00, 0). That simplifies the math. Now the vertical moment arm is zero and we need only consider the vertical force component of 353.55 and the horizontal moment arm of 3.00:By inspection, this is a clockwise torque.
I think you wrong it's counter-clouckwise because in this case when we applied a force horizontal it's counter-clouckwise.

1681499154933.png
 
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sHatDowN said:
it's counter-clockwise
I agree.
 
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sHatDowN said:
I think you wrong it's counter-clouckwise because in this case when we applied a force horizontal it's counter-clouckwise.
You are right, of course.
 
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