Moments
Calculate moments about a point; solve equilibrium problems involving rigid bodies and tilting
What you'll learn
- 1
Imagine balancing a ruler on your finger. The point where it balances is the pivot — like a seesaw's middle.
- 2
What is the formula for a moment?
- 3
A seesaw: a child sits 2 metres from the pivot with a weight of 300 N. Their moment is 300 N × 2 m = 600 Nm.
- 4
A spanner tightens a nut. Force = 40 N, distance from pivot = 0.3 m. Find the moment.
- 5
Adjust the force and distance to make a moment of 20 Nm on this spanner.
- 6
A force of 50 N acts 0.5 m from the pivot. What is the moment?
- 7
To increase the moment, you can increase the force OR the …?
Practise Moments with Whizlo
Free AI-tutored lessons, unlimited practice questions, and progress tracking for ages 16–18. Aligned to the UK National Curriculum.