Lecture 3

1.2.4 The moment of force relative to the center (or point).

Experience shows that under the action of force a solid body , along with translational motion, can be rotate
around a particular center. The rotational effect of force is characterized by its moment.
Consider the force applied at point A of a solid body (Fig.1.2.4). Let us assume that the force tends to rotate
the body around the center O. The perpendicular h, dropped from the center O to the line of action of the force
⃗
F , is called the shoulder of force ⃗ F relative to the center O. Since the point of application of force can be
arbitrarily moved along the line of action, it is obvious that the rotational force effect will depend: 1) from the
module of force ⃗ F and shoulder length h;2) from the position of the rotation plane OAB passing through the
center O and the force ⃗F ; 3) from the direction of rotation to this plane.

Fig.1.2.4 The moment of force

Let us confine ourselves to a consideration of systems of forces lying in one plane. In this case, the rotation
plane for all forces is common.
Then for the quantitative measurement of the rotational effect, we can introduce the following concept of the
moment of force: the moment of force⃗ F with respect to the center O is a quantity taken with the
corresponding sign, equal to the product of the modulus of force and the length of the arm.
F with respect to the center O will be denoted by the symbolm O ( ⃗
The moment of force ⃗ F ) . Consequently,

mO ( ⃗
F )=± Fh

In the future, we agree to assume that the moment has a plus sign, if the force tends to rotate the body around
the center O against the clockwise direction, and the minus sign, if in the clockwise direction. Thus, for the
force⃗
F shown in Fig.1.2.4,a, the moment with respect to the center O has a plus sign, and for the force shown
in Fig.1.2.4,b, the minus sign. We note the following properties of the force moment:
1) The moment of force does not change when the point of application of force is transferred along its line of
action.
2) The moment of force relative to the center O is zero only if the force is zero or when the line of action of
the force passes through the center O (the arm is equal to zero).
3) The moment of force is numerically expressed in the doubled area of the triangle OAB (Fig.1.2.4,b)

mO ( ⃗
F )=± 2 area ∆ OAB

This result follows from the fact that

area ∆ OAB=0.5 AB h=0.5 Fh
The considered definition of the moment of force is suitable only for a plane system of forces.
1.2.5 Varignon's theorem on the moment of resultant.
We now prove the following Varignon theorem: the moment of the resultant plane system of convergent
forces with respect to any center is equal to the algebraic sum of the moments of each of the forces relative to
the same center.

Fig.1.2.5 The moment of the resultant plane system .

Consider the system of forces converging at point A (Fig.1.2.5). We take an arbitrary center O and
draw through it an axis Ox perpendicular to the straight line OA; the positive direction of the Ox axis must is
chosen so that the sign of the projection of any of the forces on this axis coincides with the sign of its moment
with respect to the center O. To prove the theorem, we find the corresponding expressions for the moments
mo ( ⃗
F 1) ,mo ( ⃗
F 2 ) , … . According to the formula mo ( ⃗
F 1) =+2 area ∆ OA B 1 . But, as can be seen from the figure,
2 area ∆ OA B 1=OA ∙ F 1 x where F 1 x - is the projection of the force on the Ox axis; Consequently

mo ( ⃗
F 1) =OA ∙ F 1 x .

Similarly, the moments of all other forces are calculated.

Let us denote the resultant forces ⃗ F1, ⃗

F2 , … , ⃗
Fn , through⃗ R =∑ ⃗
R , where⃗ Fk . Then, by the theorem on the
projection of the sum of forces on the axis, we obtain R x =∑ F kx . Multiplying both sides of this equality by
OA, we find:
OA ∙ R x =∑ (OA ∙ F kx )

or, R ) =∑ m o (¿ ⃗
mo ( ⃗ F k) ¿

1.2.6 A couple of forces. The moment of the pair.

A pair of forces (or simply a pair) are two forces equal in magnitude, parallel and directed in opposite directions (Fig.
13). Очевидно, и .

Fig.1.2.6 A pair of forces

Despite the fact that the sum of forces is zero, these forces are not balanced. Under the action of these pairs of forces,
the body will begin to rotate. And the rotational effect will be determined by the moment of the pair:
m=F 1 ∙ a=F2 ∙ a

The distance a between the lines of action of forces is called the shoulder of the pair.
If the pair rotates the body counter-clockwise, its moment is considered positive (as in Fig. 1.2.6), if clockwise -
negative. In order for the moment of the pair to indicate the plane in which the rotation occurs, it is represented by a
vector. The vector of the moment of the pair is directed perpendicular to the plane in which the pair is located, in such
a way that if we look from its end, we see the rotation of the body counter-clockwise (Fig.1.2.7).
It is easy to prove that the vector of the moment of the pair ⃗m =⃗r × ⃗
F 1 is the vector of this vector product (Figure 14).
And note that it is equal to the moment of vector ⃗
F 1 with respect to point A, the point of application of the second
force:
m =⃗
⃗ M A (⃗
F1 )
The point of application of the vector ⃗
m will be discussed below. While we apply it to point A.

Fig.1.2.7

1.2.7 Properties of pairs

1) The projection of the pair on any axis is zero. This follows from the definition of a pair of forces.
2) Find the sum of the moments of forces that make up the pair, relative to some point O (Fig.1.2.7).

Fig.1.2.8
Let us show the radius vectors of the points A1 and A2 and the vector r⃗ connecting these points. Then the
moment of the pair of forces relative to the point O
⃗
M O (⃗
F1, ⃗F2 ) = ⃗M O (⃗
F 1) + ⃗
M O( ⃗
F2 ) =⃗r 1 × ⃗
F1 + r⃗ 2 × ⃗
F 2.
But r⃗ 1=⃗r 2+ ⃗r
Therefore
⃗
M O (⃗
F1, ⃗
F2 ) =¿(r⃗ 2 + r⃗ ¿ × ⃗
F 1+ ⃗r 2 × ⃗
F 2=⃗r 2 × ( ⃗
F1 + ⃗
F 2 ) + r⃗ × ⃗
F1
But ⃗ F 1+ ⃗
F 2=0 , r⃗ × ⃗ F 1=⃗ m.
Hence ⃗ M O (⃗F1, ⃗F2 ) =⃗ m .
The moment of the pair of forces relative to any point is equal to the moment of this pair.
Therefore, we can formulate two properties yet.
3) The pair can be moved within the body along the action plane and transferred to any other parallel plane.
4) Since the action on the body of the forces that make up the pair is determined only by its moment, the
product of one of the forces on the shoulder, then the pair can change the forces and the shoulder, but so that
the moment of the pair remains the same. For example, for the forces F1 = F2 = 5 H and the shoulder a = 4 cm,
the moment of the pair m = 20 H ∙ cm. It is possible to make the forces equal to 2 N, and the shoulder a = 10
sm. At the same time, the moment remains the same 20 Nsm and the effect of the pair on the body does not
change.
All these properties can be combined and, as a consequence, to conclude that pairs with the same moment
vector and no matter where located on the body, have an equal effect on it. That is, such pairs are equivalent.