Understanding Torque: The Role of Axis of Rotation in Force Calculation"

  • Thread starter Thread starter oneplusone
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Torque
AI Thread Summary
When calculating torque, forces acting directly at the axis of rotation do not contribute to the net torque because they create no perpendicular distance from the axis. Torque is defined as the product of force and the distance from the axis of rotation, and if the force acts at the axis, that distance is zero. This principle clarifies why such forces are disregarded in torque calculations. Understanding this concept is crucial for accurately analyzing rotational dynamics. Visual aids can enhance comprehension of these principles.
oneplusone
Messages
127
Reaction score
2
Hello,

[1]-Why is it that if you have a force acting upon an object at the point of the axis of torque,
you don't account it in the equation when solving for torque?

Sorry, not really sure how to word it, but ill give it another shot:

You have a long piece of wood on the ground, with many forces acting upon it. On one side of
the wood, you choose the axis of rotation. One of the forces acts on this point at a 42 degree angle.

When calculating the net torque on the object, why do you disregard that force which acts on the point?

Thanks. and let me know if i should try to reword.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Not making the connection. Perhaps a picture would help.
 
Torque is calculated about a chosen point on an axis. When the force acts through that point, there is no perpendicular distance from the force to the point.
 
Thanks, got it now!
 
The rope is tied into the person (the load of 200 pounds) and the rope goes up from the person to a fixed pulley and back down to his hands. He hauls the rope to suspend himself in the air. What is the mechanical advantage of the system? The person will indeed only have to lift half of his body weight (roughly 100 pounds) because he now lessened the load by that same amount. This APPEARS to be a 2:1 because he can hold himself with half the force, but my question is: is that mechanical...
Some physics textbook writer told me that Newton's first law applies only on bodies that feel no interactions at all. He said that if a body is on rest or moves in constant velocity, there is no external force acting on it. But I have heard another form of the law that says the net force acting on a body must be zero. This means there is interactions involved after all. So which one is correct?
Thread 'Beam on an inclined plane'
Hello! I have a question regarding a beam on an inclined plane. I was considering a beam resting on two supports attached to an inclined plane. I was almost sure that the lower support must be more loaded. My imagination about this problem is shown in the picture below. Here is how I wrote the condition of equilibrium forces: $$ \begin{cases} F_{g\parallel}=F_{t1}+F_{t2}, \\ F_{g\perp}=F_{r1}+F_{r2} \end{cases}. $$ On the other hand...
Back
Top