Lines of action of forces and net torque

[makeAwish]

I have a question.

For example there are three forces of diff magnitudes and are in three diff directions (not oppo directions) acting on a body. if the lines of action of the 3 forces pass through a common point, why the net torque abt that pt is zero?

Can someone help me pls?
Thanks!

 

[cragar]

k I am not sure what u asking but , u could add up all the x and y components
of the vectors and get the resultant vector.

 

[makeAwish]

Erm. What i want to ask is just this:

Why when the lines of action of 3 forces pass through a common point, the net torque abt that common point is zero?

 

[Bob S]

I think I understand your question. Suppose we have we have a rod x units long, centered at x = 0. Suppose there is a force +F at +x/2 and a force -F at -x/2. There is no net force on the rod, but there is a torque about the point x=0. However, if the two opposing forces were both applied at x=0, then there is no torque about the point x=0. Even if the two opposing forces were applied at x=0 but not equal, there still is no torque about the point x=0. Is this your question?.

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi makeAwish!

if the lines of action of the 3 forces pass through a common point, why the net torque abt that pt is zero?

It even works for just one force …

the net torque must be zero about any point if the force goes through that point …

torque (or moment) = force x distance, and distance = 0.

(btw, this is why we always take moments about hinges etc, because we want to simplify the problem by leaving out the force at that point )

 

[makeAwish]

oh ya... each force produces zero torque cos r is 0, so the sum of it at that point is still zero..

haha. thanks a lot! :)