GCSE Physics

Moments

In the image below, the mass provides a force some distance away from the pivot:

mass at distance d from pivot

We define the turning effect with the equation:

Moment = Force × Perpendicular distance from the pivot

Since force is measured in newtons (N) and distances in metres (m) the unit for a moment is the newton-metre (Nm).

Moments can act in two ways: clockwise or anticlockwise.


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