FORCE

Exercise 1(A) — Numericals

Question 1

The moment of a force of 20 N about a fixed point O is 10 N

m. Calculate the distance of the point O from the line of
action of the force.
Answer
As we know,
Moment of Force = Force × Perpendicular distance from the
point O
Moment of force = F × r
Substituting values in the above formula we get,
10 = 20 x r

⇒r= 10202010 = 0.5 m

Hence, distance of the point O from the line of action of the
force is 0.5 m.

Question 2

A nut is opened by a wrench of length 25 cm. If the least

force required is 10 N, find the moment of force needed to
turn the nut.
Answer
It is given that,
Required least force = 10N
r = 25cm = 0.25m
We know, Moment of force = F x r
Substituting the values of F and r we get,
Moment of force = 10 x 0.25 = 2.5 Nm
Hence, moment of force needed to turn the nut = 2.5 Nm

Question 3

A wheel of diameter 2 m is shown in figure with axle at O. A

force F = 2 N is applied at B in the direction shown in figure.

Calculate the moment of force about

(i) the centre O, and
(ii) the point A.
Answer
We know from the question,
F=2N
Diameter = 2m
So, Radius or OB = 1m
(i) Moment of force at O = F x r
Substituting the values of F and r we get,
2×1=2Nm2×1=2Nm
(ii) Moment of force at A = F x r
Substituting the values of F and r we get,

2×2=4Nm2×2=4Nm
Question 4

The diagram shows two forces F 1 = 5N and F2 = 3N acting at

points A and B of a rod pivoted at a point O, such that OA =
2m and OB = 4m

Calculate:
(i) the moment of force F1 about O.
(ii) the moment of force F2 about O.
(iii) total moment of the two forces about O.
Answer
Given,
OA = 2m
OB = 4m
F1 = 5N
F2 = 3N
As we know,
Moment of force = F x r
Substituting the values of F and r
(i) Moment of force F1 about O

5×2=10Nm5×2=10Nm
Therefore, moment of force F1 about O is 10Nm
(anticlockwise)
(ii) Moment of force F2 about O

3×4=12Nm3×4=12Nm
Therefore, moment of force F2 about O is 12Nm (clockwise)
(iii) Total moment of two forces about midpoint is

12−10=2Nm12−10=2Nm
Therefore, total moment of two forces about O is 2Nm
(clockwise)

Question 5

Two forces each of magnitude 10N act vertically upwards

and downwards respectively at the two ends A and B of a
uniform rod of length 4m which is pivoted at its mid-point O
as shown. Determine the magnitude of resultant moment of
forces about the pivot O.

Answer
Given,
Ab = 4m
OA = 2m
OB = 2m
Force at A = 10N
Force at B = 10N
As we know ,
Moment of force = F x r
Substituting the values of F and r
Moment of force about o at point A

10×2=20Nm clockwise10×2=20Nm clockwise

Moment of force about o at point B

10×2=20Nm clockwise10×2=20Nm clockwise

Total moment of forces about the centre O

20+20=40Nm20+20=40Nm
Total moment of force about the pivot O is 40 Nm
(clockwise)

Question 6

Figure shows two forces each of magnitude 10N acting at

the points A and B at a separation of 50 cm, in opposite
directions. Calculate the resultant moment of the two forces
about the point (i) A, (ii) B and (iii) O, situated exactly at the
middle of the two forces.
Answer
Given,
Force at A = 10N
Force at B = 10N
Distance between A and B = 50cm = 0.5m
(i) Resultant moment of two forces at point A is

10×0.5=5Nm clockwise10×0.5=5Nm clockwise

Therefore, resultant moment of two forces at point A is 5 Nm
(clockwise)
(ii) Resultant moment of two forces at point B is

10×0.5=5Nm clockwise10×0.5=5Nm clockwise

Therefore, resultant moment of two forces at point B is 5 Nm
(clockwise)
(iii) Perpendicular distance of point O from either of the
forces F = 10N is 0.25 m
Moment of force F at point A about O

10×0.25=2.5Nm clockwise10×0.25=2.5Nm clockwise

Moment of force F at point B about O

10×0.25=2.5Nm clockwise10×0.25=2.5Nm clockwise

Resultant moment of two forces about o is

2.5+2.5=5Nm clockwise2.5+2.5=5Nm clockwise

Therefore, Resultant moment of two forces about o is 5Nm
(clockwise)

Question 7

A steering wheel of diameter 0.5m is rotated anti-clockwise

by applying two forces each of magnitude 6N. Draw a
diagram to show the application of forces and calculate the
moment of forces applied.
Answer
Moment of couple = either force × couple arm
= 6 x 0.5 = 3 Nm

Question 8
A uniform metre rule is pivoted at its mid-point. A weight of
50 gf is suspended at one end of it. Where should a weight
of 100gf be suspended to keep the rule horizontal?
Answer
Let us assume that a 50 gf weight produces an anticlockwise
moment about the middle point ( 50 cm ).
Now, if a weight of 100 gf produces a clockwise moment
about the middle point and d cm be the distance from the
middle.
As we know, the principle of moments states that
Anticlockwise moment = Clockwise moment.

50gf×50cm=100gf×dcm⇒d=50×50100⇒d=25cm50gf×50cm
=100gf×dcm⇒d=10050×50⇒d=25cm
Therefore, a weight of 100gf will be suspended at a distance
of 25cm to keep the ruler balanced.

Question 9

A uniform metre rule balances horizontally on a knife edge

placed at the 58 cm mark when a weight of 20gf is
suspended from one end. (i) Draw a diagram of the
arrangement. (ii) What is the weight of the rule?
Answer
(i) Diagram of the arrangement is shown below:

(ii) As we know, the principle of moments states that

Anticlockwise moment = Clockwise moment.

W×(58−50)=20gf×(100−58)⇒W=20×428⇒W=105gfW×(58−
50)=20gf×(100−58)⇒W=820×42⇒W=105gf
Question 10

The diagram shows a uniform bar supported at the middle

point O. A weight of 40 gf is placed at a distance 40cm to
the left of the point O. How can you balance the bar with a
weight of 80 gf?

Answer
From the given figure we can see that,
Anticlockwise moment = 40 gf × 40 cm
Clockwise moment = 80 gf × d cm
As we know, the principle of moments states that
Anticlockwise moment = Clockwise moment.

40gf×40cm=80gf×d⇒d=40×4080⇒d=20cm40gf×40cm=80g
f×d⇒d=8040×40⇒d=20cm
Therefore the bar will be in balanced position if weight of
80gf is placed at a point of 20cm to the right of O.

Question 11

Figure shows a uniform metre rule placed on a fulcrum at its

mid-point O and having a weight 40gf at the 10 cm mark
and a weight of 20 gf at the 90 cm mark.
(i) Is the metre rule in equilibrium? If not, how will the rule
turn?
(ii) How can the rule be brought in equilibrium by using an
additional weight of 40gf?

Answer
(i) We know that when anticlockwise moment is equal to
clockwise moment then the rule will be in equilibrium.
Let us check,
(a) Anticlockwise moment = Fr

40gf×(50−10)cm=40×40=1600gfcm40gf×(50−10)cm=40×40
=1600gfcm
Clockwise moment = Fr

20gf×(90−50)cm=20×40=800gfcm20gf×(90−50)cm=20×40=
800gfcm
So, the meter rule will not be in equilibrium. It will turn in
anticlockwise direction.
(ii) To balance the rule in equilibrium 40gf should be kept on
right side.
Let distance from middle = d cm
So clockwise moment becomes

800gfcm+(40gf×dcm)800gfcm+(40gf×dcm)
As we know, the principle of moments states that
Anticlockwise moment = Clockwise moment

1600gfcm=800gfcm+40gf×dcm1600gfcm=800gfcm+40gf×
dcm
Therefore,

d=80040=20cmd=40800=20cm
So, the additional weight should be placed at 70cm mark to
bring the rule in equilibrium.

Question 12

When a boy weighing 20 kgf sits at one end of a 4m long

see-saw, it gets depressed at its end. How can it be brought
to the horizontal position by a man weighing 40 kgf.
Answer
As we know, the principle of moments states that
Anticlockwise moment = Clockwise moment

20Kgf×2m=40Kgf×d⇒d=20×240⇒d=1m20Kgf×2m=40Kgf×
d⇒d=4020×2⇒d=1m
So it is proved that horizontal position can be achieved if a
person sits at a distance of 1m from the centre on the side
opposite to the boy.

Question 13

A physical balance has its arms of length 60 cm and 40 cm.

What weight kept on a pan of longer arm will balance an
object of weight 100 gf kept on other pan?
Answer
As we know, the principle of moments states that
Anticlockwise moment = Clockwise moment

100gf×40cm=W×60cm100gf×40cm=W×60cm
Weight on the longer pan

W=(100×40)60W=66.67gfW=60(100×40)W=66.67gf
So, a weight of 66.67gf kept on the pan of longer arm will
balance the object of weight 100 gf kept on the other pan.

Question 14

The diagram shows a uniform meter rule weighing 100 gf,

pivoted at its centre O. Two weights 150gf and 250gf hang
from the point A and B respectively of the metre rule such
that OA = 40 cm and OB = 20 cm.
Calculate:
(i) the total anticlockwise moment about O,
(ii) the total clockwise moment about O,
(iii) the difference of anticlockwise and clockwise moment,
and
(iv) the distance from O where a 100gf weight should be
placed to balance the metre rule.

Answer
(i) The total anticlockwise moment about the centre o

=150gf×40cm=6000gfcm=150gf×40cm=6000gfcm
The total clockwise moment about the centre o
=250gf×20cm=5000gfcm=250gf×20cm=5000gfcm
(iii) The difference of anticlockwise and clockwise moment

=6000−5000=1000gfcm=6000−5000=1000gfcm
(iv) As we know, the principle of moments states that
Anticlockwise moment = Clockwise moment

150gf×40cm=250gf×20cm+100gf×d6000gf=5000gf+100gf×dd
=1000100d=10cm150gf×40cm=250gf×20cm+100gf×d6000
gf=5000gf+100gf×dd=1001000d=10cm
So d = 10 cm on the right side of o

Question 15

A uniform metre rule of weight 10 gf is pivoted at its 0 mark.

(i) What moment of force depresses the rule?
(ii) How can it be made horizontal by applying a least force?
Answer
(i) Moment of force = Fr
Substituting the values of F and r we get,

10gf×50cm=500gfcm10gf×50cm=500gfcm
In order to make the rule horizontal by applying least force
distance has to be max as moment of force will remain
same.
So,

F=500100=5gfF=100500=5gf
Therefore, a force of 5 gf upwards at 100 cm can balance
the rule.

Question 16
A uniform half metre rule can be balanced at the 29.0 cm
mark when a mass 20g is hung from its one end.
(a) Draw a diagram of the arrangement.
(b) Find the mass of the half metre rule.
(c) In which direction would the balancing point shift if 20g
mass is shifted inside from its one end?
Answer
(a) Diagram of the arrangement is shown below:

(b) Suppose, if the mass of the meter rule be M.

Given, uniform meter rule, so weight (Mg) will act at 25 cm.
Mg produces anticlockwise moment about point o.
Now, in order to balance the 20g weight is tied at 50cm
point and it acts in the clockwise direction.
As we know, the principle of moments states that
Anticlockwise moment = Clockwise moment

Mg(29−25)=0.02g(50−29)M=21×0.024=0.105kg=105gMg(29
−25)=0.02g(50−29)M=421×0.02=0.105kg=105g
The weight of half the meter rule is 105 g.
(c) The balancing point will shift towards the 25 cm mark.

Question 17
A uniform metre rule of mass 100 g is balanced on a fulcrum
at mark 40 cm by suspending an unknown mass m at the
mark 20 cm.
(i) Find the value of m.
(ii) To which side the rule will tilt if the mass m is moved to
the mark 10 cm?
(iii) What is the resultant moment now?
(iv) How can it be balanced by another mass 50 g?
Answer
(i) As we know, the principle of moments states that
Anticlockwise moment = Clockwise moment

100g×(50−40)cm=m×(40−20)cm⇒100×10=m×20⇒m=50g10
0g×(50−40)cm=m×(40−20)cm⇒100×10=m×20⇒m=50g
(ii) When the mass m is shifted to mark 10cm , it results in
rule being shifted on the side of mass m in anticlockwise
direction.
(iii) Anticlockwise moment is produced when a mass of m
grams is moved towards the mark of 10cm.

100gf×(50−40)cm=1000gfcm100gf×(50−40)cm=1000gfcm
Therefore, the resultant moment will be

1500gfcm−1000gfcm=500gfcm(anticlockwise)1500gfcm−10
00gfcm=500gfcm(anticlockwise)
(iv) As we know, the principle of moments states that
Anticlockwise moment = Clockwise moment
So,

100gf×(50−40)cm+50gf×d=50gf×(40−10)cm⇒1000gfcm+50g
f×d=1500gfcm⇒50gfd=500gfcm⇒d=10cm100gf×(50−40)c
m+50gf×d=50gf×(40−10)cm⇒1000gfcm+50gf×d=1500gf
cm⇒50gfd=500gfcm⇒d=10cm
Hence, we can balance 50gm at 50cm

Question 18

In figure below, a uniform bar of length l m is supported at

its ends and loaded by a weight W kgf at its middle. In
equilibrium, find the reactions R 1 and R2 at the ends.

Answer
As we know, the principle of moments states that
Anticlockwise moment = Clockwise moment
R1 + R2 = W
Given, the system is in equilibrium so

R1×l2=R2×l2R1×2l=R2×2l
Since, R1 = R2 and 2R1 = W
Therefore, R1 = W/2 = R2