Homework Help: What is the net torque on this object?

BrooklynBees · Jun 3, 2008

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Make the following into a web address; it wouldn't let me post one.
img161.imageshack.us/img161/3728/physicspv5.pngimg161.imageshack.us/img161/3728/physicspv5.b3825b8665.jpg[/url]
What is the net torque on this object?

2. Relevant equations
torque=(radius)(force)(sin(
[tex]\theta[/tex]))

3. The attempt at a solution
I know that the answer is found by doing the following:
.95(10N)-.22m(50N)-1.5m(3.0N)(sin40)
but I don't understand why. Like, I get that it's plugging each section into the above equation, but I don't get why the values should be subtracted.

Thank you!

eok20 · Jun 3, 2008

The link for the image doesn't work for me. However, my guess is that some of the torques are negative because they oppose the other torque. If your question is why the first is positive and the last two negative instead of the first negative and the last two positive then the answer is because there is a sign convention, called the right hand rule, with the cross product. E.g. the reason that i x j = k instead of -k is purely a convention (where i is a unit vector in the x direction, j a unit vector in the y direction, and k a unit vector in the z direction).

BrooklynBees · Jun 3, 2008

take out the spaces:
h t t p : / / s138.photobucket.com/albums/q275/charliethedogg/?action=view&current=physics.png

Some of the torques are opposing each other. However, it doesn't fit with the location of the negative signs.

eok20 · Jun 3, 2008

Are you familiar with the right hand rule? If into your computer screen is the negative direction and out is the positive direction then all of the signs are correct.

BrooklynBees · Jun 3, 2008

I'm positive that we weren't taught the right hand rule..

alphysicist · Jun 4, 2008

Hi BrooklynBees,

If you were not taught the right hand rule, then the usual convention is that clockwise torques are considered to be negative and counter-clockwise torques are positive. The equation in your post then indicates that the torque from the 10 N force is counterclockwise, and the torques from the other two forces are clockwise. Can you see how that matches the diagram?

BrooklynBees · Jun 4, 2008

Thanks. I get it now.