Applications of Moment of Force

Common applications (examples) of moment of force - Physics Notes ICSE

1. To open or shut a door, a force is applied normal to the door at its handle which is provided at the maximum distance from the hinges.

2. To turn a steering wheel we apply a force tangentially on the rim of the wheel.

3. In a bicycle the toothed wheel of bigger size can be turned by applying a force on the foot pedal and this toothed wheel is joined to the rear wheel of smaller size by a chain passing over their teeth.

4. A spanner is provided with a long handle which is used to tighten or loosen a nut by applying a small force normally at the end of the handle.

5. A jack screw a long arm so that it can be rotated by applying a small force to raise or lower the load table.

Important: In all these cases larger the perpendicular distance less is the force needed to produce the same moment of force.

The moment of force not only depends on the magnitude of the Force but also on the perpendicular distance of the line of the applied action from the axis of rotation.