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)
• \( d \) — Distance from axis in meters (m)
• \( \theta \) — Angle between force vector and lever arm in degrees

Explanation: The equation calculates the rotational effect of a force applied at an angle to a lever arm. The sine function accounts for the perpendicular component of the force.

3. Importance of Moment Calculation

Details: Calculating moment of force is crucial in mechanical engineering, physics, and structural design to ensure systems can withstand applied torques without failing.

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's the difference between moment and torque?
A: While often used interchangeably, moment generally refers to rotational effect of a force, while torque specifically refers to rotational force in mechanical systems.

Q2: What happens when θ = 90°?
A: At 90°, sin(θ) = 1, so the moment is simply F × d. This is maximum torque for given F and d.

Q3: What are common units for moment?
A: SI units are newton-meters (N·m). Other units include pound-feet (lb·ft) or dyne-centimeters (dyn·cm).

Q4: Can moment be negative?
A: Yes, negative moment indicates clockwise rotation (convention varies), but this calculator shows magnitude only.

Q5: How does moment relate to equilibrium?
A: For an object to be in rotational equilibrium, the sum of all moments acting on it must be zero.