How to calculate moments to find a force

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Sully1071
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Force Moments
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating moments to determine an unknown force in a mechanical problem. Participants explore the application of moments in static equilibrium, specifically focusing on clockwise and anti-clockwise moments and their relationship to forces acting on a system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the clockwise moment about point A can be equated to the anti-clockwise moment to find the unknown force F.
  • Another participant confirms the initial calculations of moments but notes a mix-up in the direction of the moments.
  • A later reply suggests that the moments can be calculated using different methods, including the dot product of force and distance or using the sine of the angle between them.
  • Participants express uncertainty regarding the calculations and the correct application of moments in the context of their project.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is some agreement on the method of equating moments, but confusion remains regarding the correct identification of clockwise and anti-clockwise moments. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the calculations or the approach to take.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention issues with image visibility and clarity, which may affect the understanding of the problem. There are also indications of mixed-up terminology regarding the direction of moments.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or individuals working on projects involving static equilibrium and the calculation of forces using moments in mechanical systems.

Sully1071
Messages
14
Reaction score
0
I'm looking at a problem and am having trouble finding the force using moments. To be honest I'm not sure am i going about it the correct way.

Attached is a sketch of the problem,

Is the cclockwise moment about A = .5m(1000N) = 500Nm
and the anti clockwise moment about A = .75m(F)

can these be equated to find F??

Thanks
 

Attachments

  • Sketch.jpg
    Sketch.jpg
    2.8 KB · Views: 581
Physics news on Phys.org
Your image is too tiny.
 
Sorry, attached is a bigger image in a word document.
 

Attachments

Welcome to PF!

Hi Sully1071! Welcome to PF! :wink:
Sully1071 said:
Is the cclockwise moment about A = .5m(1000N) = 500Nm
and the anti clockwise moment about A = .75m(F)

can these be equated to find F??

Yes, that's exactly correct :smile:

(except that you've mixed up clockwise and anti-clcokwise! :rolleyes:)

and yes, you now equate the clockwise to the anti-clockwise.

Why is that worrying you? :confused:
 
Im just unfamiliar with unfamiliar with these calculations but have to do them as part of a project.

If i use the new free body diagram attached and the unit was to rotate about point a i assume my new moments would be calculated by:

Anticlockwise moments = 1000(.65)
Clockwise moments = F(.6)
 

Attachments

Hi Sully1071! :smile:

Is this a new problem? …

sorry, I'm on an iMac, and it won't show images in .doc :redface:

(but I could see your original .jpg)
 
jpeg is attached
 

Attachments

  • fbd11.jpg
    fbd11.jpg
    14.4 KB · Views: 565
ah! nice and big! :biggrin:
Sully1071 said:
If i use the new free body diagram attached and the unit was to rotate about point a i assume my new moments would be calculated by:

Anticlockwise moments = 1000(.65)
Clockwise moments = F(.6)

yes that's right :smile:

generally, the moment of a force F is the dot product F.d,

which you can do as either F times the perpendicular distance (your method)

or as F times the whole distance times sine of the angle between :wink:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 138 ·
5
Replies
138
Views
9K
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
6K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K