Chapter 5

Turning Effects of
Forces

Physics Matters for

GCE ’O’ Level

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 Turning Effects of Forces

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 Lesson 5.1A
(double period)

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 Chapter 5 Turning Effects of Forces
• 5.1 When Does a Force Cause Something to Turn?
• 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling?

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 The turning effect of a force in everyday life Textbook
Page 77

• Have you played floorball before?

• Why is it easier to swing the stick when our
hands are further apart?
• How does a force cause something to turn?
• What are some other real-world examples of
turning effects of forces?
• Physics Connect: Find out how we can
apply a greater turning effect of a force.

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 5.1 When Does a Force Cause Something to Turn? Textbook
Page 78

Moment
It is easier to lift the lid of a tightly closed tin can with a longer spoon instead of a
shorter spoon. Why is this so?

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 5.1 When Does a Force Cause Something to Turn? Textbook
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Moment
To understand why this is so, let’s consider the following:
• When we use a spoon to lift the lid, the force applied on the spoon
exerts a turning effect which is known as moment.
• The concept of moment is best shown using a simple lever (Figure 5.1).
A lever is a rigid bar resting on a pivot or fulcrum. It is used to move a
load when a force is applied.

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 5.1 When Does a Force Cause Something to Turn? Textbook
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Moment
Using a spoon to lift the lid of a tin is
an example of using a lever. In Figure 5.2:
• the spoon is the rigid bar;
• the edge of the tin at which the spoon
is at is the pivot; and
• the lid is the load.

When a force is applied, the load experiences a

turning force.

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 5.1 When Does a Force Cause Something to Turn? Textbook
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Moment
• The turning effect of the force is proportional to:
 the perpendicular distance from the pivot where the force is applied;
and
 the magnitude of the force applied.
• This turning effect of the force is also known as a torque.

To conclude:
In Figure 5.2, the perpendicular distance from the edge of the lid to the end
of a longer spoon is longer than that of a shorter spoon.
Thus, using a longer spoon creates a greater turning effect.
That is why it is easier to lift the lid with a longer spoon.
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 Textbook
5.1 When Does a Force Cause Something to Turn? Page 79

Moment
• The moment of a force M, or torque, about a pivot is the product of the
force F and the perpendicular distance d from the pivot to the line of action
of the force.
• Formula for moment of a force:
M = Fd where F = force applied (N)
d = perpendicular distance from the
pivot to the line of action
of the force (m)
• The SI unit for moment of a force is newton metre (Nm).
• Moment of a force is a vector quantity.

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 Textbook
5.1 When Does a Force Cause Something to Turn? Page 79

WS 5A Key Point 1
Moment
• The moment of a force M, or torque, about a pivot is the product of the
Theforce F and the
moment of perpendicular
a force is thedistance
productd from the force
of the pivot to the line
F and theofperpendicular
action
of the force.
distance d from the pivot to the line of action of the force.
• Formula for moment of a force:
M [Nm] = F [N] x d [m]
M = Fd where F = force applied (N)
~ Using a spanner to turn a bolt or da =nut. perpendicular distance from the
pivot to the line of action
~ofUsing
the a can opener. force (m)
~• Carrying a load in the hand and flexing the elbow of the load-carrying
The SI unit for moment of a force is newton metre (Nm).
arm.
• Moment of a force is a vector quantity.
~ Stepping on the pedal of a bicycle to turn the wheel.

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 5.1 When Does a Force Cause Something to Turn? Textbook
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Moment
• The moment of a force has a direction (Figure 5.3).
• A clockwise rotation about a pivot is a clockwise moment.
• An anticlockwise rotation about the pivot is an anticlockwise moment.

Question:
Will there be a moment if the line of action of a force passes through the pivot?

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 5.1 When Does a Force Cause Something to Turn? Textbook
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Principle of Moments
• So far, only the moment of an applied force is considered, but not that of
the load.
• As the load has weight, it also exerts a turning effect.
• In Figure 5.5, the load exerts a moment that is opposite to that of the
applied force F. If the lever does not rotate, then the clockwise and
anticlockwise moments are equal.

Hence, the lever is balanced or

in equilibrium.

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 Turning Effects of Forces

pivot

Weight of lady
Weight of man

Anticlockwise
20
moment clockwise moment
 Turning Effects of Forces

Sum of Anticlockwise moments = Sum of Clockwise

pivot moments

Principle of Moments
Weight of lady
Weight of man

Anticlockwise
21 moment clockwise moment
 Turning Effects of Forces
clockwise moment

When the metre rule is

balanced (in equilibrium),
Tension in the
sum of clockwise moment
newton-meter
=
sum of anticlockwise moment

Weight of metre rule

22
Anticlockwise moment
 5.1 When Does a Force Cause Something to Turn? Textbook
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Principle of Moments
• The principle of moments states that when a body is in equilibrium, the
sum of clockwise moments about a pivot is equal to the sum of
anticlockwise moments about the same pivot.

 Sum of clockwise moments = Sum of anticlockwise moments

about any pivot about the same pivot

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 5.1 When Does a Force Cause Something to Turn? Textbook
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Principle of Moments
• The principle of moments states that when a body is in equilibrium, the
sum of clockwise moments about a pivot is equal to the sum of
anticlockwise moments about the same pivot.
WS 5A Key Point 2
 Sum of clockwise moments = Sum of anticlockwise moments
about any pivot about the same pivot
For a system in equilibrium, the sum of clockwise moments about a point is
equal to the sum of anticlockwise moments about the same point.

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 5.1 When Does a Force Cause Something to Turn? Textbook
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Conditions for Equilibrium

• For an object to be stationary or in equilibrium, it must not have any
rotational or translational motion.
• Thus, the conditions for a body in to be in equilibrium are:
 The resultant moment on the body is zero.
 The resultant force on the body is also zero.

Physics Connect: Simulation on how to balance a metre rule.

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 5.1 When Does a Force Cause Something to Turn? Textbook
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Conditions for Equilibrium

• For an object to be stationary or in equilibrium, it must not have any
rotational or translational motion.
WS 5A Key
• Thus, Point 2
the conditions for a body in to be in equilibrium are:
 The resultant moment on the body is zero.
Conditions for a body
 The resultant forcein
onto
thebe in equilibrium
body is also zero. are:
1. Net moment = 0
2.Physics
Net Connect:
force = 0Simulation on how to balance a metre rule.

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 5.1 When Does a Force Cause Something to Turn? Textbook
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How to find perpendicular distance?

For each of the following, draw and label the perpendicular distance from the force to
the pivot.

F
pivot

pivot

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 5.1 When Does a Force Cause Something to Turn? Textbook
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How to find perpendicular distance?

For each of the following, draw and label the perpendicular distance from the force to
the pivot.
pivot F

pivot
F

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 5.1 When Does a Force Cause Something to Turn? Textbook
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How to find perpendicular distance?

For each of the following, draw and label the perpendicular distance from the force to
the pivot. 1. Extend line of action of force
2. Determined the shortest distance
from extended line to pivot F
d
pivot d

pivot

F
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 Summary of Lesson 5.1A
• The moment of a force M, or torque, about a pivot is the product
of the force F and the perpendicular distance d from the pivot to the line of action
of the force.
• Formula for moment of a force:
M = Fd where F = force applied (N)
d = perpendicular distance from the
pivot to the line of action of the
force (m)
• The principle of moments states that when a body is in equilibrium, the sum
of clockwise moments about a pivot is equal to the sum of anticlockwise
moments about the same pivot.

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 Lesson 5.1B
(single period)

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 Enrichment Textbook
Page 83

• Have you seen a 3D printer before?

• Can you think of any other simple machines that generate a moment using
wheels?
• What other devices also made use of the turning effects of forces?

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 Lesson 5.2A
(double period)

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 Chapter 5 Turning Effects of Forces
• 5.1 When Does a Force Cause Something to Turn?
• 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling?

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 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling?
Learning Outcomes
• Show an understanding that the weight of a body may be taken as acting at a
single point known as its centre of gravity.
• Describe qualitatively the effect of the position of the centre of gravity on the
stability of objects.

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 The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
• This tower has been leaning for over
800 years.
• Its current angle of inclination is about 4 °.
• It is famous also because legend has it that in
the 16th century Galileo Galilei had dropped
two balls of different masses from the tower
and discovered that, regardless of their
masses, objects fell at the same acceleration.
• Why doesn’t the Leaning Tower of Pisa
topple?

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 Construct
Understanding

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 Critical Thinking Question
How would you balance a 30-cm ruler on your fingertip?

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 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling? Textbook
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Centre of Gravity
To understand why the total weight of a body can be replaced by a single
weight acting on a single point, consider a body that is hung freely from a
string (Figure 5.13).

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 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling? Textbook
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Centre of Gravity
• For the body to be in balance, the sum of clockwise moments due to
individual particles must be equal to the sum of anticlockwise moments.
• This is equivalent to having a force acting through a point below the pivot,
since the net turning effect is zero.
• We can also represent the sum of all the individual particles' weight by a
resultant force acting through this point. This resultant force is the weight of
the body.

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 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling? Textbook
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Centre of Gravity
• All objects are made up of many particles.
• When gravity acts on a body, every particle of the body is attracted towards
Earth. The total weight of the particles can be represented by a single
weight acting on a single point.
• This single point is the centre of gravity.
• The centre of gravity of an object is an imaginary point where the entire
weight of the object seems to act.

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 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling? Textbook
Page 84

Centre of Gravity
• All objects are made up of many particles.
• When gravity acts on a body, every particle of the body is attracted towards
Earth. The total weight of the particles can be represented by a single
weight acting on a single point.
• This single point is the centre of gravity.
• The centre of gravity of an object is an imaginary point where the entire
weight of the object seems to act.

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 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling? Textbook
Page 84

Centre of Gravity
• All objects are made up of many particles.
• When gravity acts on a body, every particle of the body is attracted towards
Earth. The total weight of the particles can be represented by a single
weight acting on a single point.
• This single point is the centre of gravity.
• The centre of gravity of an object is an imaginary point where the entire
weight of the object seems to act.

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 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling? Textbook
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Centre of Gravity
• All objects are made up of many particles.
• When gravity acts on a body, every particle of the body is attracted towards
WS 5AThe
Earth. Keytotal
Point 4 of the particles can be represented by a single
weight
weight acting on a single point.
• The
This centre of gravity
single point is defined
is the centre as the point through which the whole
of gravity.
• weight of an
The centre object of
of gravity appears toisact.
an object an imaginary point where the entire
weight of the object seems to act.

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 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling? Textbook
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Centre of Gravity
• The centre of gravity for an object that has a regular shape and uniform
density is at the centroid or centre of the object.
• It is important to note that the centre of gravity can be outside the object.

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 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling? Textbook
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Stability
Consider a block of wood shown in Figure 5.17. Why does the block:
• return to its original position in Figure 5.17(a); and
• topple in Figure 5.17(b)?

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 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling? Textbook
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Stability
Let’s look at the position of the centre of gravity (CG) of the block. The
position of the centre of gravity of an object affects its stability (Figure 5.18).

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 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling? Textbook
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Stability
• The stability of an object is a measure of its ability to return to its original
position.
• The stability of an object can be affected in two ways:
 the position of the centre of gravity and
 the area of the base of the object.

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 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling? Textbook
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Stability
• The stability of an object is a measure of its ability to return to its original
WSposition.
5A Key Point 5
• The stability of an object can be affected in two ways:
~ Thebase area ofofthe
the position the object
centre of gravity and
(The 
larger theofbase
the area area,
the base of the more stable the object)
the object.

~ The centre of gravity of the object

(the lower the centre of gravity, the more stable the object)

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 Textbook
5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling? Page 86

Stability
Let’s look at two blocks, A and B, with the same base area but of different
heights (Figure 5.19).

When slowly tilted

through the same angle,
block A will topple first.
This is because block A
has a higher centre of
gravity.

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 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling? Textbook
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Stability
• Let’s consider two stools, Y and Z, with different base areas but of the same
height (Figure 5.20).
• When slowly tilted through the same angle, stool Z will topple first. This is
because stool Z has a smaller base area.

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 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling? Textbook
Page 88

Do women have better balance than men?

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 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling? Textbook
Page 88

How does the toy bird balance on a finger tip?

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 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling? Textbook
Page 88

How does the toy Cowboy not topple when slightly tilted?

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 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling? Textbook
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How does the toy Cowboy not topple when slightly tilted?

But first, where is

the toy’s CG?
But first, where is
the toy’s CG?
pivot

CG By deduction, since the toy is in

equilibrium (net moment = 0), this
means that the line of action of weight
must be in line with the pivot - closer
to the weight where more mass is
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 5.2 How Can We Prevent Objects from Toppling? Textbook
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How does the toy Cowboy not topple when slightly tilted?

When slightly tilted, the CG of the

toy….

The line of action of weight produces

a…

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 Critical Thinking Question

Why are passengers not allowed

to stand on the upper deck of a
double-decker bus?

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 Lesson 5.2B
(single period)

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 Critical Thinking Question
Let’s look at the following video and answer the question below.

Why did the double cone roll up the ramp?

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 What Have Textbook
You Learnt? Page 89

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 Lesson 5.2C
(single period)

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 Enrichment

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 Cool Career Textbook
Page 88

• What does an industrial designer do?

• What are other professions that require knowledge of the turning effects of
forces, centre of gravity and stability of objects?

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 Acknowledgements
• Slide 1: bulb © Sergey Nivens | 123RF.com, solar car © koya79 | 123rf.com, plant and buildings inside bulb © nexusplexus | 123rf.com, electric car charging
station – ID 37965032 © Haiyin | Dreamstime.com
• Slides 3, 25: tablet © Daniel Korpai | unsplash.com
• Slide 7: floorball © smileimage9 | Shutterstock.com
• Slide 11: hand holding a spoon – ID 204353215 © Beselialuka | Dreamstime.com, hand holding a tin © MCE
• Slide 16: see-saw © Clker-Free-Vector-Images | pixabay.com
• Slide 23: 3D printer – ID 176841676 © Jiří Vondráček | Dreamstime.com, mechanical calculator – ID 6382877 © Ola Nordal | Dreamstime. com
• Slide 29: leaning tower of pisa © Shainee Fernando | unsplash.com
• Slide 31: ruler © 2541163 | pixabay.com
• Slide 44: double-decker bus © Roman Fox | unsplash.com
• Slide 51: industrial designer – ID 217159672 © Dragoscondrea | Dreamstime.com

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