Theory-Based Questions
1. Q1: Define the moment of a force. What factors affect the magnitude of
the moment of force?
2. Q2: Explain the principle of moments and how it is applied in determining
the equilibrium of a system.
3. Q3: Describe the difference between a moment of force and torque. How
are they related?
4. Q4: State and explain the conditions for a body to be in equilibrium using
the principle of moments.
5. Q5: How does the lever arm affect the moment of force? Illustrate with an
example.
Numerical Problems
1. Q6: A force of 10 N is applied perpendicular to a door at a distance of 0.8
meters from the hinge. Calculate the moment of force about the hinge.
2. Q7: If a wrench is 0.3 meters long and a force of 50 N is applied at the end
of the wrench, calculate the moment of force about the point where the
wrench is held.
3. Q8: A see-saw is balanced when a 40 kg child sits at one end, and a 30 kg
child sits at the other end. If the distance from the fulcrum to the 40 kg
child is 2 meters, find the distance from the fulcrum to the 30 kg child to
maintain equilibrium.
4. Q9: A sign is hung from a horizontal bar. If the bar is 5 meters long and
the sign exerts a force of 80 N at a point 2 meters from one end of the bar,
calculate the moment of force about the end of the bar.
5. Q10: A uniform beam of length 4 meters is supported at its midpoint. If a
100 N weight is hung 1 meter from one end of the beam, what is the
moment of force about the support point due to this weight?
6. Q11: A force of 15 N is applied at an angle of 30° to the horizontal at a
distance of 2 meters from the pivot. Calculate the moment of force about
the pivot.
7. Q12: An object is suspended from a ceiling by two ropes of different
lengths. If one rope is twice as long as the other, how would the moments
of forces compare if the same weight is hung from each rope?
Solutions and Explanations
Q6 Solution: Moment of force = Force × Distance from pivot = 10 N × 0.8 m =
8 N·m
Q7 Solution: Moment of force = Force × Distance from pivot = 50 N × 0.3 m =
15 N·m
Q8 Solution: Let d be the distance from the fulcrum to the 30 kg child. Using
the principle of moments:
Moment due to 40 kg child=Moment due to 30 kg child\text{Moment due to 40
kg child} = \text{Moment due to 30 kg
child}Moment due to 40 kg child=Moment due to 30 kg child
40 kg×g×2 m=30 kg×g×d40 \text{ kg} \times g \times 2 \text{ m} = 30 \
text{ kg} \times g \times d40 kg×g×2 m=30 kg×g×d 40×2=30×d40 \times 2 =
30 \times d40×2=30×d d=40×230=8030=2.67 metersd = \frac{40 \times 2}
{30} = \frac{80}{30} = 2.67 \text{ meters}d=3040×2=3080=2.67 meters
Q9 Solution: Moment of force = Force × Distance from pivot = 80 N × 2 m =
160 N·m
Q10 Solution: Moment of force = Force × Distance from support = 100 N × 1
meter = 100 N·m
Q11 Solution: To calculate the moment of force:
Moment=Force×Distance×sin(θ)\text{Moment} = \text{Force} \times \
text{Distance} \times \sin(\theta)Moment=Force×Distance×sin(θ)
=15N×2m×sin(30°)= 15 N × 2 m × \sin(30°)=15N×2m×sin(30°) sin(30°)=0.5\
sin(30°) = 0.5sin(30°)=0.5 =15N×2m×0.5= 15 N × 2 m × 0.5=15N×2m×0.5
=15N⋅m= 15 N·m=15N⋅m
Q12 Solution: If the same weight is hung, the moment of force is proportional
to the length of the rope. Hence, the longer rope would produce a greater
moment of force. If one rope is twice as long as the other, the moment of force
produced by the longer rope will be twice that produced by the shorter rope.
