How Do You Calculate Net Torque with Different Forces and Angles?

In summary: Your answer should be of the form magnitude and CW or CCW.)In summary, there are two forces acting on the rod, a 6.0 N force perpendicular to the rod at a distance of 1.2 m from the pivot causing a counterclockwise torque, and a 5.2 N force at an angle of 30 degrees to the rod at a distance of 3.0 m from the pivot causing a clockwise torque. The net torque about the pivot is 3.6 Nm in the counterclockwise direction.
  • #1
mmark
2
0
A 3.0 m rod is pivoted about its left end.A force of 6.0 N is applied perpendicular to the rod at a distance of 1.2 m from the pivot causing a ccw torque, and a force of 5.2 is applied at the end of the rod 3.0 m from the pivot. The 5.2 N is at an angle of 30 degrees to the rod and causes a cw torque. What is the net torque about the pivot?

My assumption is:
torque is radius X Force sin theta
Torque 1 and 2 have angles of 90 degrees making it equal to 1.

Torque 1:0.6 (radius of 1.2) X 6.0 N
Torque 2:1.5 (radius of 3)X 5.2 N
Torque 3:1.5 (radius of 3)X 5.2 N sine 30 degrees

Torque 1 + Torque 2 + Torque 3 = Net Torque

3.6 + 7.8 + 3.9 = 15.3

Is this correct?
 
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  • #2
mmark said:
A 3.0 m rod is pivoted about its left end.A force of 6.0 N is applied perpendicular to the rod at a distance of 1.2 m from the pivot causing a ccw torque, and a force of 5.2 is applied at the end of the rod 3.0 m from the pivot. The 5.2 N is at an angle of 30 degrees to the rod and causes a cw torque. What is the net torque about the pivot?

My assumption is:
torque is radius X Force sin theta
Torque 1 and 2 have angles of 90 degrees making it equal to 1.

Torque 1:0.6 (radius of 1.2) X 6.0 N
Torque 2:1.5 (radius of 3)X 5.2 N
Torque 3:1.5 (radius of 3)X 5.2 N sine 30 degrees

Torque 1 + Torque 2 + Torque 3 = Net Torque

3.6 + 7.8 + 3.9 = 15.3

Is this correct?

You might want to mind your CW and CCW's. They don't add positively. Moreover there are only 2 forces (which = only 2 torques) by the statement of the problem. (Draw a careful diagram for yourself.)

Your answer should be of the form magnitude and CW or CCW.
 
  • #3
mmark said:
Is this correct?
No.

(1) There are only two forces acting. You counted the 5.2 N force twice.
(2) Clockwise and counterclockwise torques have opposite signs.
 

1. What is torque in physics?

Torque is a physical quantity that measures the force applied to an object to cause it to rotate. It is calculated by multiplying the force applied by the distance from the axis of rotation.

2. How is torque different from force?

Force and torque are different in terms of their effects on an object. Force causes linear motion, while torque causes rotational motion. Force is measured in Newtons, while torque is measured in Newton-meters.

3. What is the formula for calculating torque?

The formula for torque is torque = force x distance, where force is measured in Newtons and distance is measured in meters.

4. How does the direction of the force affect the torque?

The direction of the force applied affects the direction of the torque. If the force is applied perpendicular to the object's axis of rotation, it will cause the maximum torque. If the force is applied at an angle, the torque will be reduced.

5. What are some real-life examples of torque?

Some examples of torque in everyday life include opening a door, using a wrench to tighten a bolt, and riding a bike. In all of these scenarios, a force is applied at a distance from the axis of rotation, causing the object to rotate.

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