1. Levers ,
Moments
and
Centre of Gravity

2. Moments and Centre of Gravity
Things you need to know in this section
Turning effect of a force. Calculating turning effect (moment).
Levers definition (4 examples)
Law of the lever and experiment to prove it.
Centre of gravity and how to find it.
Equilibrium (3 types) + examples
Connection between stability and equilibrium. Examples.
Remember lever demonstration

4. Levers
A lever is rigid body free to move about a fixed point called the fulcrum.

5. Moments(turning forces) make things turn or rotate.
They are caused by forces but are not forces themselves.
The moment will be bigger if:
The force causing the turning effect is bigger.
The force is further from the fulcrum.
How can the turning effect of a force be increased?

6. Calculating the size of a moment (turning force)
Moment = Force x Distance Nm
Newtons N m
Which is easier to loosen a nut, a spanner with a long handle or a spanner with a short handle and why?
Why is it easier to shift a large boulder with a crow-bar that without the crow-bar?

7. Net moment is zero = net turning force is zero
BALANCED
Net moment is zero = net turning force is zero
Anti-clockwise Moment = Clockwise Moment

8. Balanced Forces

9. Write out the statements that are true.
a The longer the lever, the bigger the force that is needed to move an object.
b It is easier to close a door if you push the door close to the hinge
c The shorter the lever, the bigger the force that is needed to move an object
d Joints are examples of pivots.
e Bones are examples of levers.

10. Answers are C, D and E

11. How could we prove the law of the lever?
What apparatus do we need?
What measurements must be taken?

13. Recording your results
What do we need to record?
How many columns will we need in our table?

14. Recording your results

15. Write out each term along with its correct description
unbalanced system
moment
balanced system
Descriptions
anticlockwise moments = clockwise moments
two boys of different weights sit opposite each other on a see saw, both the same distance from the pivot
the turning effect of a force

16. Moment calculation Fulcrum
Gina weighs 500 N and stands on one end of a seesaw. She is 0.5 m from the fulcrum.
What moment does she exert?
moment = 500 x 0.5
= 250 Nm
0.5 m
500 N
Fulcrum

17. Moment equation f x d The moment of a force is given by the equation:
moment = force (N) x distance from fulcrum (cm or m)
moment f x d
Moments are measured in Newton centimetres (Ncm) or Newton metres (Nm).

18. Law of the lever The girl on the left exerts an anti-clockwise moment,
which equals...
The girl on the right exerts a clockwise moment, which equals...
her weight x her distance
from fulcrum
her weight x her distance
from fulcrum
Can you see any practical application of a balanced
lever?

19. Law of the Lever
If the sum of the anticlockwise moments and sum of the clockwise moment are equal then the lever is balanced. This is known as the Law of the lever.
When something is balanced about a fulcrum:
total clockwise moment = total anticlockwise moment

20. Law of the lever – calculations
Two girls are sitting on opposite sides of on a see-saw. One girl weighs 200 N and is 1.5 m from the fulcrum. Where must her 150 N friend sit if the seesaw is to balance?
When the see-saw is balanced:
total clockwise moment = total anticlockwise moment
200 N x 1.5 m = 150 N x distance
200 x 1.5 = distance
150
distance of second girl = 2 m

21. Why don’t cranes fall over?
Tower cranes are essential at any major construction site.
load arm
trolley
counterweight
loading platform
tower
Concrete counterweights are fitted to the crane’s short arm. Why are these needed for lifting heavy loads?

22. Why don’t cranes fall over?
Using the law of the lever, when is the crane balanced?
3 m
6 m
10,000 N ?
moment of = moment of
load counterweight
If a 10,000 N counterweight is three metres from the tower, what weight can be lifted when the loading platform is six metres from the tower?

23. Why don’t cranes fall over?
moment of
load =
= ? x 6
load x distance of load from tower
moment of
counterweight
distance of counterweight from tower =
= 10,000 x 3
= 30,000 Nm
counterweight x
moment of load = moment of counterweight
? x 6 = 30,000
? = 3,000 6
? = 5,000 N

24. Crane operator activity
Where should the loading platform be on the loading arm to carry each load safely?

25. Centre of Gravity How does centre of gravity affect stabilty?
Why is it difficult to carry a long pole holding at one end instead of holding in the centre.
(remember long wooden pole ask students to hold in the middle and the at the end)
The centre of gravity of a object is the point through which the weight of an object appears to act

26. Centre of Gravity

27. Centre of Gravity
In what way are racings cars designed to make them more stable?
Why are not allowed to stand on the upper deck of a double decker bus?
Which is a better design a mug with a narrow base or a mug with a wide base? Why?

28. Equilibrium

29. Measuring Centre of Gravity
Move the card in the diagram until it just about to fall off.
Draw the líne along the card parallel to the edge of the bench.
Do this for two other direction of the card.
Where the lines meet is the centre of gravity.

30. Factors affecting stability
Low centre of gravity
This means the object can tilt over a long way and centre of gravity is still inside the base so it so not topple over.
Wide base
This means a better chance of the centre of gravity staying over the base, less chance of topplng over.