How to Calculate Torque and Force: An Example Scenario
How can we calculate the torque and force in a specific scenario?
If a 200 lb man is holding his arm out straight, extending a stick with 10lbs of weight at the end of it (total distance from body to 10lb weight is 2 ft). How much weight / force is the man feeling?
Calculation of Torque and Force
To find the weight or force the man is feeling, we need to calculate the torque. The torque is equal to the force applied multiplied by the distance from the pivot point. In this case, the torque is 10 lb × 24 inches, resulting in a force of 240 lb⋅in.
When dealing with scenarios involving torque and force, it is important to understand the relationship between the two. Torque is the rotational equivalent of force, and in this example, we need to determine the force that the man is feeling while holding the stick with the 10lb weight at the end.
The key formula to calculate torque is Torque = Force x Distance. In this case, the force is the weight of the 10lb weight and the distance is the total distance from the man's body to the weight, which is 2 ft. We first need to convert the distance from feet to inches by multiplying by 12, which gives us 24 inches.
Calculating the torque: Torque = 10 lb x 24 inches = 240 lb⋅in. Therefore, the man is feeling a force of 240 lb⋅in in this scenario.
Understanding how to calculate torque and force in practical situations can help in physics, engineering, and various other fields where these concepts are applicable.