Rotational Motion

Todays lecture covers: Torque acting on a body

Preparation: Read Biological Physics 4.1 - 4.3

[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-08-10/ferris-wheel-at-brisbane-ekka/636614]
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Motion of Extended Rigid Bodies

(Previously: point particles)

Rotational Motion

Translation Rotation around an axis

axis of rotation

Angular position of every part changes over time.

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A wheel is spinning Which of the following applied forces could slow it down?
a b

Rotational motion of a body is affected by

Any force acting on the body its strength its direction where it acts on body

90%

Distribution of mass in the body

4%

4%

2%
5

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b c d a

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Which of the following statements is false?

a. Torque is a type of force. b Equilibrium means when the nett force b. and the nett torques are zero. c. Torque is related to the tendency to cause rotation.
38% d. A moving body can be in equilibrium. 43%

Torque
Torque causes change in rotational motion: Speed up Slow down Change direction ie: Torque causes rotational acceleration.

9% 10%

Torque is a vector.
To rq ue is E a qu ty ili ... br iu m m To e. .. rq ue A is m r el ov ... in g bo dy ...

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Torque Magnitude

Force, F, applied to a body produces torque:

You have a spanner to undo a tight nut. Which will make it easier to budge the nut?

= Fd

(magnitude of force) x (lever )

Lever Lever or moment moment arm arm = perpendicular distance from line of action of force to rotation axis

a. b. c.

Hold the spanner close to the nut. Hold the spanner near the end of the handle. 94% It doesnt matter where you hold the p spanner.

5%
sp an n. . sp an ...

1%
do es n tm at t..

th e

H ol d

H ol d

th e

...

It

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1 0

Pulling radially on this playground equipment causes it to rotationally accelerate.

a. b. c c. True False Need more info

85%

9%
Fa ls e Tr ue

6%
in fo m or e

ee d

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[Walker Fig. 11-2]

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Finding components of a force vector

a. i is a t technique h i I Ive mastered. t d b. is something I need more practice at. c. strikes terror in my soul.
50% 27%

F rotation axis

23%

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is

is

qu e. .. so m et hi ng I.. . st rik es te rr or ...

te ch ni

...

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F rotation axis

r point of action

rotation axis

F r

point of action

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Torque Magnitude

Force, F, applied to a body at distance, r, from its rotation axis produces torque:
F rotation axis F r F

point of action

rotation axis d

= F r
= F sin r

= Fd
line of action

= F r sin

(perpendicular force component) x (distance from rotation axis to point of action)

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In this course, will concentrate on situations with simple geometry.

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Zero torque is produced if

a. no force is exerted b. force is applied in a radial direction c. the line of action of the force passes through the rotation axis d. any of the above situations apply
84%

Torque Direction
Clockwise or counter-clockwise about rotation axis opposite directions opposite signs

7% 6%

2%

ex ... fo rc e is fo rc e no

i.. of an ac y t.. of . th e ab ... lin e

is

th

ap pl

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Walker Fig 11-17

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eg: Achilles Tendon

Tension in muscle connected to heel by Achilles tendon = 700 N Ankle joint is 4 cm perpendicular distance from tendon. What is the torque about ankle joint?

eg: Using a tool

For this tool, the V-shape acts as a pivot point. What is the torque acting on the tool point due to an applied pp force, ,F about this p =6N?

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Walker Fig 11-26

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eg: Using a tool

What is the force exerted on the weed as a result?

Summing Up
After this lecture you should be able to:
Understand the concept of rotation of rigid bodies See link between torque & change in rotational motion Calculate torque

Supplementary questions:
Biological Physics Problems 4.6 [60N] 4.8 [E]

Next time:
Centre of mass Rotational equilibrium Reading
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Biological Physics 4.4 - 4.6

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Walker Fig 11-26

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