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Moments Visualization

This document discusses different ways to represent moments: 1) The moment equation represents the moment as the cross product of the force vector and position vector. Only the perpendicular component of the force contributes to the moment. 2) Decomposing vectors into perpendicular and parallel components shows that only the perpendicular force component contributes to the moment. 3) Representing the position vector similarly shows that only the perpendicular component, known as the moment arm, contributes to the moment. Changing the moment arm changes the magnitude and direction of the moment. 4) A Cartesian representation uses the x and y components of position and force vectors in the moment equation. This is less intuitive but useful for proofs and linear algebra methods.

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Jonathan Su
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54 views3 pages

Moments Visualization

This document discusses different ways to represent moments: 1) The moment equation represents the moment as the cross product of the force vector and position vector. Only the perpendicular component of the force contributes to the moment. 2) Decomposing vectors into perpendicular and parallel components shows that only the perpendicular force component contributes to the moment. 3) Representing the position vector similarly shows that only the perpendicular component, known as the moment arm, contributes to the moment. Changing the moment arm changes the magnitude and direction of the moment. 4) A Cartesian representation uses the x and y components of position and force vectors in the moment equation. This is less intuitive but useful for proofs and linear algebra methods.

Uploaded by

Jonathan Su
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Moments Visualization

A visual understanding of moments is especially important for machine design. One should be
able to look at a machine, and be able to evaluation the factors that contribute to moments.

Equation Representation

Definitions:

p = point about which moment


is being calculated (in this case 
b
ody F
apivot)
r = vector from p to base of 
force

vector
F = force vector 
  r
 = angle between r and F
Mp = moment about p due to
F p
iv
otp
v
ecto
rfro
m piv
otto
Moment Equation b
aseofforc
evecto
r
 
Mp = r x F (cross product)
Mp = Frsin

Perpendicular Force Representation


F

F

 F

F F


r

F

v
ecto
rdecompo
sitio
n
offo
rce

Definitions:  
F = component of vector F that is perpendicular to vector r . ( F = Fsin).

F = component of vector F that is parallel to vector r 
, which does not contribute to the
moment.
Moment Equation
Mp = F r
Interpretation: Only the perpendicular component of F contributes to moments.
Moment Arm Representation


F

 
r r 
r
 r

r

r

M
ome
nta
rm
v
ecto
rde
com p
ositio
n
ofr

Definitions:
 
r = component of vector r that is perpendicular to vector F , which is also the moment arm (
r =rsin).
 
r = component of vector r that is parallel to vector F , which does not contribute to the
moment.
Moment Equation
Mp = F r
Interpretation:
 Only the perpendicular component of r, i.e. the moment arm contributes to moments.
 The vector F can be moved along its axis without changing the moment.
 Moving the Force vector perpendicular to its axis changes the moment arm, as shown
below
Moving Force Vector Perpendicular to its Axis Changes the Moment Arm
(compare to figure above)

 
F  F
F

 
r r r

r r
p
p
r
r  0 p
r

Smaller Moment Arm Zero Moment Arm Change in Sign of Moment


(smaller counterclockwise (no moment about p) (moment about p is now
moment about p) clockwise)
Cartesian (XY) Representation


F
y F

y  F
x
r
r
y

x rx

Definitions: 
rx, ry = x and y components of r 
.
Fx, Fy = x and y components of F .

Moment Equation
Mp = Fy rx - Fx ry (note counterclockwise is positive with right-hand rule)

Interpretation:
The Cartesian representation provides less intuitive understanding, but correlates to linear
algebra methods; it also is useful for proofs.

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