1. What is Moment of Force?

The moment of force (or torque) is a measure of the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis. It depends on the magnitude of the force, the distance from the axis, and the angle between the force vector and the lever arm.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the moment of force equation:

Where:

• \( M \) — Moment of force (torque) in Newton-meters (N·m)
• \( F \) — Applied force in Newtons (N)
• \( d \) — Perpendicular distance from axis to force in meters (m)
• \( \theta \) — Angle between force vector and lever arm in degrees

Explanation: The equation accounts for the effective component of force that causes rotation, which depends on the sine of the angle between the force and the lever arm.

3. Importance of Moment Calculation

Details: Calculating moment of force is crucial in mechanical engineering, physics, and structural design to understand rotational effects, balance systems, and prevent structural failures.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter force in Newtons, distance in meters, and angle in degrees (0-360). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What happens when θ = 90°?
A: At 90°, sin(θ) = 1, so M = F × d (maximum torque). The force is perpendicular to the lever arm.

Q2: What happens when θ = 0° or 180°?
A: At these angles, sin(θ) = 0, so M = 0. The force is parallel to the lever arm and causes no rotation.

Q3: What are typical units for moment of force?
A: The SI unit is Newton-meter (N·m). Other units include pound-foot (lb·ft) or dyne-centimeter (dyn·cm).

Q4: How does moment differ from work?
A: Both use N·m units, but work involves force through a distance (linear), while moment involves force causing rotation.

Q5: What's the right-hand rule for moment direction?
A: Curl your fingers in the rotation direction; your thumb points along the moment vector (perpendicular to the plane of rotation).