Question

7.Consider the image on the right.a.Would C generate any torque? Why or why not?Bb. A student says, "A and B will generate the same torque, asthey are both pushing up." Do you agree? Briefly explain.

Answer 1

To find:

a. Does C produce torque.

b. Does A and B generate equal torque?

Step-by-step explanation:

The torque produced due to the applied force is given by,

`\tau=Fr\sin\theta`

Where r is the distance from the pivot point to the point where the force is applied and θ is the angle between the force applied and the lever.

a.

From the figure, θ=0°.

And

`\sin0\degree=0`

Thus C does not produce any torque.

That is, as the force applied is parallel to the lever, it will not produce any torque.

b.

As it can be seen from the above equation, the torque applied depends on the distance between the pivot point and the point where the force is applied.

A and B have different values of r. Thus the torque produced will not be the same if the magnitude of A and B are equal.

Final answer:

a. C will not generate torque.

b. Torque produced by equal forces A and B is not equal.