Study notes
Turning Effect of Forces
How the turning effect (moment) of a force depends on both the size of the force and its perpendicular distance from a pivot, the principle of moments for a balanced object, and centre of gravity's role in stability.
What this topic covers
- Moment measures a force's turning effect about a pivot
- The distance must be perpendicular to the force
- A force farther from the pivot has a bigger turning effect
- The principle of moments describes a body in equilibrium
- A lighter force far out can balance a bigger force close in
- Centre of gravity is the single point where weight can be considered to act
- A lower centre of gravity and a wider base make an object more stable
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