Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Torque
Torque is a measure of the rotational force applied to an object, calculated as the product of the force and the distance from the pivot point (lever arm). It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction, and is influenced by the angle at which the force is applied. The formula for torque (τ) is τ = r × F × sin(θ), where r is the distance from the pivot, F is the force applied, and θ is the angle between the force vector and the lever arm.
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Net Torque & Sign of Torque
Net Torque
Net torque is the sum of all individual torques acting on an object about a specific pivot point. It determines the object's rotational motion and is calculated by considering both the direction and magnitude of each torque. Positive and negative torques are assigned based on their direction (counterclockwise or clockwise), and the net torque will dictate whether the object will rotate and in which direction.
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Net Torque & Sign of Torque
Equilibrium
In physics, an object is in rotational equilibrium when the net torque acting on it is zero, meaning there is no angular acceleration. For a beam or any rigid body, this condition is essential for stability, as it indicates that all torques are balanced. When analyzing a system, ensuring that the sum of torques about a pivot point equals zero is crucial for solving problems related to static equilibrium.
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