Which of the following best defines the lever arm used when calculating the magnitude…
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
Which of the following best defines the lever arm used when calculating the magnitude of a torque produced by a force acting on a rigid body?
(a) The straight-line distance from the pivot to the point where the force is applied.
(b) The perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation to the line of action of the force.
(c) The perpendicular distance from the object’s center of mass to the line of action of the force.
(d) The shortest distance measured along the surface of the object from the pivot to where the force acts.