Three forces act on a wheel about its centre in the same plane: Force A: at a radius of

PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials

Problem

Three forces act on a wheel about its centre in the same plane: Force A:

30\,\text{N}

at a radius of

0.20\,\text{m}

, making an angle of

90^{\circ}

with the radius and tending to rotate anticlockwise. Force B:

50\,\text{N}

at a radius of

0.10\,\text{m}

, making an angle of

60^{\circ}

with the radius and tending to rotate clockwise. Force C:

25\,\text{N}

at a radius of

0.25\,\text{m}

, making an angle of

30^{\circ}

with the radius and tending to rotate anticlockwise. (a) Without carrying out detailed numerical calculations, rank the magnitudes of the torques produced by the three forces from greatest to least. (b) State the overall direction (clockwise or anticlockwise) of the net torque on the wheel.

Related theory

Torque
Torque and angular momentum
Moment of force

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