Pui Kiu College

G10 DSE Physics Notes – Book 2 Chapter 5

Moment of a Force
5.1 The turning effect of a force
Moment of a force / Torque about a point (pivot)
The product of the force and the perpendicular distance from the line of action of the force to the point
moment of a force / torque perpendicular distance
= force × ( moment arm )
about a point from the point
τ =F×d ¿

resolving F resolving d

τP = Fd τP = Fd = F sinθ × d τP = Fd = F × d sinθ

τ = F d sin θ
symbol quantity SI unit (pivot)

moment of a force / newton metre

τ
torque about a pivot P (Nm)
F applied force N
distance from point of
d m (moment arm)
action of F to P
angle between
θ °
directions along F and d
- vector ( direction : clockwise / anticlockwise )

Turning effect  ( τ  ) :
- magnitude of force  ( F  ) P P

- length of moment arm d  ( d  / θ  )

F F moment arm d


case
d

θ 90° 60° 0°
moment arm d ( = d sinθ ) d (longest) d sin60° 0 (shortest)
moment / torque τ ( = Fd ) Fd (greatest) Fd sin60° 0 (smallest)

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 G10 DSE Physics Notes – Bk2 Ch.5 Moment of a Force

Example 1 [Ans: (a) 12 N m anticlockwise (b) 0 (c) 10.4 N m clockwise (d) 138 N m clockwise]
In each case below, find the magnitude and the direction of the moment produced by force F about point P.
(a) 40 cm (b)
P F = 50 N
τ=0
τ = Fd (∵ θ = 0°)
= 30 × 0.4 1m
= 12 N m (anticlockwise) P
F = 30 N
(c) F = 30 N (d) 130 F = 120 N
60 P
P
1.5 m
40 cm

τ = Fd sin θ τ = Fd sin θ
= 30 × 0.4 × sin 60° = 120 × 1.5 × sin 50°
= 10.4 N m (clockwise) = 138 N m (clockwise)

Example 2 [Ans: F1 : 0, F2 : 1.5 F, F3 : 0.966 F, F4 : 0.5 F]

A cylinder of radius 1 m is initially at rest as shown. It can freely rotate about the fixed pivot R. Forces F1 to F4
have the same magnitude F. Express the magnitudes of moments produced by F1 to F4 about R in terms of F.
τ1 = 0 (∵ θ = 0°)
τ2 = F2 × d2 = F2 × (1 + 0.5) = 1.5 F
0.5 d2
sin θ= ⇒θ=30 °
1
d3 θ d3 0.5 m
sin( 45 °+ θ)= ⇒ d 3 =0 . 966 m d4
1 1m
τ3 = F3 × d3 = 0.966 F
τ4 = F4 × d4 = 0.5 F

Example 3
If a metal can is tightly closed, you can get the lid off with a key or a screwdriver.
Explain why it is preferred to use a longer tool.

The longer the tool, the longer the moment arm d is.

A smaller applied force F is needed to produce the

same moment to open the can.

Example 4 [Ans: (1) T (2) F (3) T]

A chest has a wooden lid OX of uniform density. OX is hinged at O and can
just be opened by applying a force P in case (I) and a force Q in case (II) as
shown. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(1) The moments produced by P and Q about O are the same. ( T / F )

(2) The size of P is smaller than that of Q. ( T / F )

(3) It is the easiest to open OX by the method shown in case (II). ( T / F )

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 G10 DSE Physics Notes – Bk2 Ch.5 Moment of a Force

Net moment / torque

- sum of all moments acting on a body about the same point
- direction of rotation = direction of net torque
Principle of moments
An object achieves a state of balance when the sum of clockwise moments is equal to the sum of
anticlockwise moments about the same pivot ( net moment = 0 )

case

Net moment zero clockwise anticlockwise

Rotation no clockwise anticlockwise

Example 5 [Ans: (a) 0.3 N m anticlockwise (b) 0.202 N m clockwise (c) 0.444 N m clockwise]
In each case, find the magnitude and direction of the net moment about P.
(a) 3N (b) 9 N 7N (c) 31° 15 N 10 N
1.6 m P 54° 50 cm 50 cm
P 0.9 m 40 cm 60 cm P 5N
5N 1N 2 N 80°

τclockwise = 5 × 0.9 = 4.5 N m τclockwise = 9 × 0.4 = 3.6 N m τclockwise = 15 cos 31° × 0.5 = 6.429 N m
τanticlockwise = 3 × 1.6 = 4.8 N m τanticlockwise = 7 sin 54° × 0.6 = 3.398 N m τanticlockwise = 2 sin 80° × 0.5 + 10 × 0.5 = 5.985 N m
τnet = 4.8 – 4.5 τnet = 3.6 – 3.398 τnet = 6.429 – 5.985
= 0.3 N m (anticlockwise) = 0.202 N m (clockwise) = 0.444 N m (clockwise)

Example 6 [Ans: (b) 0.2 m left of O]

A lever has three weights of 10 N, 20 N and 30 N hanging on it. Neglect
the weight of the lever.
(a) Show that the lever is not balanced.
(b) If another 10 N weight is to be added to balance the lever, where
should it be hung?

(a) Take moment about O. (b) To balance it, a 2 N m anticlockwise moment is needed.
τclockwise = 30 × 0.6 = 18 N m 10 × d = 2
τanticlockwise = 10 × 0.8 + 20 × 0.4 = 16 N m d = 0.2 m
∵ clockwise moment > anticlockwise moment ∴ the weight should be hung at 0.2 m on the left of O
∴ the lever is not balanced

Example 7 [Ans: 36 N]

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 G10 DSE Physics Notes – Bk2 Ch.5 Moment of a Force

A hammer is used to remove a nail from

a wooden floor. The nail is 6 cm from Take moment about P.
the pivot P. A horizontal force F is
τclockwise = τanticlockwise
applied 30 cm from P. The maximum
friction between the nail and the floor is F × 30 = 180 × 6
180 N. Neglect the weights of nail and F = 36 N
hammer. Find the minimum F required.
Couple
- two equal and opposite parallel forces applying to the same body and do not act in the same line

- net force = 0  acceleration (motion) 

- net moment  0  rotation 

Moment of couple
net moment about point O :
τ = F × x + F × y = F (x + y) = F × d d

Moment / Torque of a couple = one force × perpendicular distance between the forces
τ = F × d

Uses of couples

Forces exerted by hands Forces exerted by hands

to turn a steering wheel to turn a lid

Example 8 –3
[(a) 25 N m clockwise (b) 2 N m anticlockwise (c) 5.21 × 10 N m clockwise (d) 0.05 N m anticlockwise (e) 0.0423 N m clockwise (f) 1.50 N m clockwise]

In each of the following, find the magnitude and direction of the moment of couple about point O.
(a) F=5N 2m 3 m τ = Fd (b
 ) τ = Fd
O =5×5 = 4 × 0.5
F=5N = 25 N m (clockwise) = 2 N m (anticlockwise)

(c) (d
) τ = Fd
O O = 2 sin 30° × 0.05
τ = Fd
= 0.05 N m
= 3 sin 10° × 0.01
(anticlockwise)
= 5.21 × 10–3 N m (clockwise)

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 G10 DSE Physics Notes – Bk2 Ch.5 Moment of a Force

(e) 5 cm 15 cm (f) F1 = 8
N
F1 = 2 O
N F2 = 2 20 cm O
25
N
110
F2 = 8
N

5.2 Equilibrium of a rigid body

A rigid body remains at rest / in equilibrium …
without Translational motion Rotational motion

condition
principle Newton’s first law

net force = 0 (no acceleration)

net moment = 0 (no rotation)
principle of moments

Conditions for equilibrium

(1) Net force in any direction = 0
vector sum of components of all forces in any direction = 0
(2) Net moment about any point = 0
sum of clockwise moment = sum of anticlockwise moment

Example 9
A circular disc of radius 2 cm is placed on a smooth table. Two forces are applied on the disc in three ways.

Case

Net force 0 4 N (right) 0

Movement ? No Yes (right) No
Net moment about centre 0 0 0.08 N m (clockwise)
Rotation ? No No Yes (clockwise)
Equilibrium ? Yes No No

Example 10
A football is placed R (normal reaction)
on the ground and
touches a vertical
wall. Draw a free-
body diagram for
the football. W (weight)

Example 11 [Ans: (1) T (2) F (3) T (4) F]

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 G10 DSE Physics Notes – Bk2 Ch.5 Moment of a Force

A balance is in equilibrium as shown. If the weight in the pan is increased, which

of the following methods can restore the equilibrium?
(1) moving the movable weight to the right ( T / F )
(2) shifting the support string to the right ( T / F )
(3) increasing the mass of the movable weight ( T / F )
(4) increasing the length of string hanging the movable weight ( T / F )
Centre of gravity (c.g.)
- The single point through which the full weight of a body appears to act
- for a uniform object, c.g. at mid-point or centre of the object (can be outside object)

- net moment of weights about c.g. = 0

- c.g. closer to more massive part (for non-uniform object)
Example 12 [Ans: (a) 1.2 m (b) 1.67 m]
(a) A rod AB of length 2 m is placed horizontally on (b) Two tiny particles A and B are placed on the
two balances at both ends. The balances at A and B Earth’s surface with a separation of 5 m. How far is
read 200 N and 300 N respectively. Where is the centre their centre of gravity from particle A?
of gravity of the rod from A? 2 kg 1 kg
5m
A B

Take moment about c.g. Take moment about c.g.

τclockwise = τanticlockwise τclockwise = τanticlockwise
200 × d = 300 × (2 – d) 1 × 9.81 × (5 – d) = 2 × 9.81 × d
d = 1.2 m d = 1.67 m

Example 13 [Ans: (a) 8L (b) 11L]

(a) Rod XZ is composed of two uniform rods XY and (b) Rod XY is composed of two uniform rods P and Q.
YZ. Both rods have the same mass M. The lengths of P is 6L long and its mass is 3M. Q is 10L long and its
XY and YZ are 4L and 20L respectively. Express in mass is M. Express the distance of the centre of gravity
terms of L the distance of the c.g. of XZ from X. of XY from Y in terms of L.
4L 20L

X Y Z
4L 20L
d
X C Y c.g. of XZ C Z
1 2
2L 10L

Let C1 and C2 be the c.g. of XY and YZ.

Let d be the distance between c.g. of XZ and C1.
Take moment about c.g. of XZ.
τclockwise = τanticlockwise
Mg  (12L – d) = Mg  d
d = 6L
distance of the c.g. of XZ from X = 6L + 2L = 8L
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 G10 DSE Physics Notes – Bk2 Ch.5 Moment of a Force

Determining c.g. experimentally

net moment upward

of weight force upward
about point of point of force point of
suspension suspension suspension
c.g.

c.g.
c.g.
rotate weight
 Repeat by hanging the body
no net
weight moment from another point. The c.g. of
 Hang a body freely from a point. Let  Draw a vertical line passing the body is at the intersection
it rotate freely until it is in equilibrium. through the point of suspension. of the two lines drawn.

c.g. and stability

Situation

Position of c.g. above base of support above base of support outside base of support
Net moment zero anticlockwise (by W about O) clockwise (by W about O)
Result equilibrium return to original position topple

× c.g. × c.g.

‘balancing bird’ c.g. lower than beak man walking on a wire c.g. lower than wire

c.g. and equilibrium

- three non-parallel forces must pass through a common point for equilibrium

equilibrium  equilibrium 

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 G10 DSE Physics Notes – Bk2 Ch.5 Moment of a Force

Situation Free-body diagram Situation Free-body diagram

/ / / /

moment about c.g. clockwise (by f) 0 moment about c.g. clockwise (by f & N) 0
Problems involving fixed pivot(s)

Example 14 [Ans: (a)(i) 400 N (ii) 1000 N (b)(i) 7.5 cm (ii) 78.5 N]
(a) A boy of weight 600 N sits 6 m away from the (b) Two objects of mass 5 kg and 3 kg are hung on a
pivot of a seesaw. A force F acts on the seesaw so that light rod AB. It is supported at the middle (point P) and
it is in equilibrium. Neglect the weight of the seesaw. is in equilibrium. The 5-kg mass is 4.5 cm from P.

R
W = 600 N

(i) Find the value of F. (i) Find the distance of the 3-kg mass from P.

Take moment about pivot.

τclockwise = τanticlockwise
F × 9 = 600 × 6
F = 400 N

(ii) Find the reaction force on the seesaw by the pivot. (ii) Find the force acting on P by the support.

Example 15 [Ans: (a)(i) 2.4 N (ii) 10.4 N (b)(i) 0.167 kg (ii) 6.54 N]
(a) A uniform rod AB of weight 3 N is supported by a (b) A 300 g block is placed at the left end of a uniform
peg P as shown, where AP = 30 cm and PB = 50 cm. A metre rule of mass 0.2 kg. The rule is pivoted at point
force of 5 N is applied downwards at A. To keep the P, which is 40 cm from the left end. A block of mass M
rod horizontal, a downward force F is applied at B. is placed at the right end. The system is in equilibrium.
5N R F
30 cm P 50 cm
A B
10 cm 3 N
(i) Find the value of F. (i) Find M.

Take moment about P.

τclockwise = τanticlockwise
F × 50 + 3 × 10 = 5 × 30
P.8 F = 2.4 N
 G10 DSE Physics Notes – Bk2 Ch.5 Moment of a Force

(ii) Find the reaction force acting on the rod by P. (ii) Find the reaction force exerted on the rule at P.

Example 16 [Ans: (a) P: 320 N, Q: 480 N (b) A: 46.7 kN, B: 33.3 kN]
(a) A light beam of length 5 m is placed on two end (b) The diagram shows a truck of weight 80 kN on a light
supports P and Q and a man of weight 800 N stands on M. bridge. Find the additional upward force at each of the
Find the normal forces at P and Q respectively. bridge supports A and B caused by the truck.

RA RB
RP RQ

800 N
Take moment about B.
Take moment about Q.
τclockwise = τanticlockwise
τclockwise = τanticlockwise
RA × 120 = 80 × (120 – 50)
RP × 5 = 800 × 2
RA = 46.7 kN
RP = 320 N
RA + RB = 80
RP + RQ = 800
46.7 + RB = 80
320 + RQ = 800
RB = 33.3 kN
RQ = 480 N

Example 17 [Ans: (a) A: 387 N, B: 231 N (b) T = 19.6 N, mY = 0.5 kg]

(a) A uniform beam of length 3 m and mass 15 kg is (b) In the diagram, a uniform metre rule of mass 0.5 kg is
supported by two trestles A and B at the ends as shown. A hung by a light inextensible string to the ceiling. Two
gymnast of mass 48 kg stands on the beam at a distance of blocks X and Y are hung by light threads to the metre rule in
1 m from A. Find the forces exerted on the beam by the the positions shown. The mass of X is 1 kg. Find the tension
trestles A and B respectively. in the string and the mass of Y.

T
RA RB
20 cm
1.5 m

48g 15g 1g 0.5g mYg

Take moment about B. Take moment about position of Y.

τclockwise = τanticlockwise τclockwise = τanticlockwise
RA × 3 = 48g × 2 + 15g × 1.5 T × 30 = 1g × 50 + 0.5g × 20
RA × 3 = 48 × 9.81 × 2 + 15 × 9.81 × 1.5 T × 30 = 1 × 9.81 × 50 + 0.5 × 9.81 × 20
RA = 387 N T = 19.6 N
RA + RB = 48g + 15g T = 1g + 0.5g + mYg
387 + RB = 48 × 9.81 + 15 × 9.81 19.6 = 1 × 9.81 + 0.5 × 9.81 + mY × 9.81
RB = 231 N mY = 0.5 kg

Example 18 [Ans: (a)(1) increase (2) decrease (3) unchanged (b)(1) decrease (2) decrease (3) unchanged]
(a) A uniform chair has two identical legs at its two ends P (b) A pole-vaulter is holding a uniform pole horizontally.

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 G10 DSE Physics Notes – Bk2 Ch.5 Moment of a Force

and Q. A boy stands at the middle of the chair. When he He exerts an upward force U and a downward force D on
moves to the left, how will the following quantities change? the pole to keep it in equilibrium. The pole has a weight W.
If U is applied at a position nearer to the centre of the pole,
how do U, D and W change?

(1) The reaction force on the chair from its leg at P.

( increase / decrease / unchanged )
(2) The reaction force on the chair from its leg at Q.
( increase / decrease / unchanged ) (1) U ( increase / decrease / unchanged )
(3) The total reaction force on the chair from its legs at P (2) D ( increase / decrease / unchanged )
and Q. ( increase / decrease / unchanged ) (3) W ( increase / decrease / unchanged )
Condition for toppling
Situation At the instant just before toppling

walk towards
one end about to topple
N1 = 0
clockwisely
bench (∵ leg A about to leave the ground)
N
N W 2 F
 take moment about B
1
A B
F luggage about to leave the ground at A
pushing a The point where N acts  take moment about B
luggage on the contact surface
may change with the about to
W magnitude of F F
N topple
f clockwisely
W N
A B f
A B

Example 19 [Ans: (a) 0.188 m (b) 1.07 m]

(a) A uniform plank PQ of mass 22 kg rests on two (b) A uniform plank AB of weight 400 N rests on two
supports, A and B. A painter walks towards end P. The total trestles at P and Q. A boy of weight 300 N walks along the
mass of the painter and his paint tin is 76 kg. Find the plank towards B. How far can the boy walk past from Q
distance of the painter from A when the plank starts to tip. without tilting the plank?
1.3 m 2m 1.7 m
RB = 0
d
RP = 0
0.8 m
0.65 m A P Q B
22g
76g 400 N d 300 N

Take moment about A. Take moment about Q.

τclockwise = τanticlockwise τclockwise = τanticlockwise
22g × 0.65 = 76g × d 300 × d = 400 × 0.8
22 × 9.81 × 0.65 = 76 × 9.81 × d d = 1.07 m
d = 0.188 m

Example 20 [Ans: (a) 70.4 kg (b) 5]

(a) A 80-kg uniform plank was placed on two trestles P and (b) A simple wall shelf consists of a plank placed on two
Q as shown. A man holding several identical balls, each of fixed supports A and B. The mass of the plank is 5 kg and
mass 0.8 kg, stood at the left end of the plank. If the the mass of each book on the plank is 1.2 kg. At most how
maximum number of balls he can hold for the plank to many books of the same mass can be put into a stack
remain untilted is 12, estimate the mass of the man. without making the plank topple?

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 G10 DSE Physics Notes – Bk2 Ch.5 Moment of a Force

2m c.g. of books
RQ = 0

plank c.g. of the plank

80g A B
(m + 12 × 0.8)g supports fixed
on the wall 0.4 m 0.4 m 0.3 m

Take moment about P.

τclockwise = τanticlockwise
80g × 2 = (m + 12 × 0.8)g × 2
m = 70.4 kg

Example 21 [Ans: (a)(i) 6 N (ii) 4 N (b)(i) 1.88 N (ii) 1.4 cm]

(a) A block ABCD is placed on a rough surface. Its weight is (b) A uniform block ABCD of weight 5 N is placed on a
20 N and its c.g. is at O. A force F acts on the block at D. rough horizontal table. A horizontal force F is applied at A.
F A 6 cm B

8 cm

D C
20 N 5N
(i) Find the minimum value of F to overturn the block. (i) Find the minimum value of F to overturn the block.

Take moment about B. Take moment about D.

τclockwise = τanticlockwise τclockwise = τanticlockwise
F × 10 = 20 × 3 5×3=F×8
F=6N F = 1.88 N

(ii) If the normal reaction acting on the block by the surface (ii) When F is 1 N, how far is the normal reaction acting on
is 1 cm from B, find the value of F. R = W = 20 N the block by the table from D? R=W=5N
Take moment about B. Take moment about D. F A 6 cm B
R 1 cm R
τclockwise = τanticlockwise τclockwise = τanticlockwise
F × 10 + R × 1 = 20 × 3 d 8 cm
5×3=F×8+R×d
F × 10 + 20 × 1 = 20 × 3 5×3=1×8+5×d D C
F=4N 20 N d = 1.4 cm
5N

Example 22 [Ans: (b) 231 N (c) 115 N]

A workman is going to pull up a uniform metal sheet of mass 47 kg from
lying flat on the ground to standing vertically. The force is applied
centrally to the side CD so that the sheet turns about AB as shown in
Fig.a. Then the workman continues to apply a force perpendicular to the
face of the sheet as shown in Fig.b.
(a) Explain why the initial force should be applied vertically.

When the force is applied vertically, the moment produced is the greatest. (∵ θ = 90  τ = max)
The force needed is the smallest.

(b) Find the initial force applied in Fig.a. (c) Find the force applied in Fig.b.
Take moment about pivot. Take moment about pivot.
τclockwise = τanticlockwise τclockwise = τanticlockwise
mg × L/2 = F × L mg cos 60 × L/2 = F × L
47 × 9.81 × 1/2 = F 47 × 9.81 cos 60× 1/2 = F mg cos 60
F = 231 N mg F = 115 N

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 G10 DSE Physics Notes – Bk2 Ch.5 Moment of a Force

Example 23 [Ans: (a) 21.2 N (b) 30.7 N (c) 10.6 N] N1 cos 30
A cylinder placed on a rough horizontal floor supports one end of a uniform pole XY X normal force N1 RY
of length 3 m and mass 5 kg. The other end of the pole rests on the floor such that N1 sin 30
the pole is inclined at 30. The cylinder applies a normal force N1 on the pole. The
mg cos 30 mg 30 Y
whole system is in equilibrium. f
(a) Find N1. (b) Find the normal force acting on the (c) Find the friction acting on the pole
pole from the floor at Y. from the floor at Y.
Take moment about Y.
τclockwise = τanticlockwise Consider vertical direction. Consider horizontal direction.
N1 × 3 = mg cos 30 × 1.5 RY + N1 cos 30 = mg N1 sin 30 = f
N1 × 3 = 5 × 9.81 cos 30× 1.5 RY + 21.2 cos 30 = 5 × 9.81 21.2 sin 30 = f
N1 = 21.2 N RY = 30.7 N f = 10.6 N

Example 24 [Ans: (a) 108 N (b) 93.5 N (c) 4.91 N (d) 93.6 N, 3.01° above horizontal]
A block of mass 5 kg is fixed to the end of a uniform rod PQ, which is 1 m long with
mass 1 kg. The rod is hinged at P and supported by a light rope at Q. The rope makes
an angle of 30° to the horizontal. T sin 30
(a) Determine the tension in the rope. Fy T
F
(b) Find the horizontal force at P exerted on the rod by the hinge.
(c) Find the vertical force at P exerted on the rod by the hinge. θ Fx
(d) Find the magnitude and direction of the force at P exerted on the rod by the hinge. T cos 30

1g
(a) Take moment about P.
τclockwise = τanticlockwise
5g
1g × 0.5 + 5g × 1 = T sin 30 × 1
9.81 × 0.5 + 5 × 9.81 = T sin 30
T = 108 N

(b) Consider horizontal direction. (d) F2 = Fx2 + Fy2

Fx = T cos 30 F2 = 93.52 + 4.912
Fx = 108 cos 30 F = 93.6 N
Fx = 93.5 N Fy
tanθ=
Fx
(c) Consider vertical direction.
4 . 91
Fy + T sin 30 = 1g + 5g tanθ=
Fy + 108 sin 30 = 9.81 + 5 × 9.81 93 . 5
Fy = 4.91 N θ = 3.01
direction is 3.01° above horizontal

Example 25 [Ans: (a) 251 N (b) 233 N (c) 19.6 N (d) 234 N, 4.81° above horizontal]
A uniform sign of mass 10 kg and width 0.5 m is hung from a C
uniform rod AB, 2.0 m long and of mass 1.5 kg. The rod is connected
to a vertical wall at A and is held horizontally by a wire BC, T sin 21.8 F Fy
T 0.8 m
connected to a position C on the wall, 0.8 m above point A.
(a) Determine the tension in the wire. 0.5 m 21.8 θ
B A
(b) Find the horizontal force at A exerted on the rod by wall. T cos 21.8 Fx
(c) Find the vertical force at A exerted on the rod by wall.
(d) Find the magnitude and direction of the force at A exerted on the sign 1.5g
rod by the wall. 2.0 m

10g

(a) Take moment about A.

τclockwise = τanticlockwise
T sin 21.8 × 2 = 1.5g × 1 + 10g × (2 – 0.5 ÷ 2)
T sin 21.8 × 2 = 1.5 × 9.81 + 10 × 9.81 × 1.75
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T = 251 N
 G10 DSE Physics Notes – Bk2 Ch.5 Moment of a Force

Example 26 [Ans: (a) 300 N (b) 62.5 N (c) 62.5 N]

A 13 m uniform ladder weighing 300 N rests against a smooth wall 12 m above a rough floor.
Rwall
(a) Find the normal reaction exerted on the ladder by the floor.
(b) Find the normal reaction exerted on the ladder by the wall. 13 m
(c) Find the friction acting on the ladder by the floor. Rfloor 12 m
(a) Consider vertical direction.
300 N
Rfloor = 300 N
f
(b) Take moment about the contact point between ladder and floor. 5m
τclockwise = τanticlockwise
300 × (5 ÷ 2) = Rwall × 12
Rwall = 62.5 N

(c) Consider horizontal direction.

f = Rwall = 62.5 N

Example 27 [Ans: (a) 1470 N (b) 354 N (c) 354 N (d) 1.65 m]
A uniform ladder of length 4 m and mass 100 kg leans against a smooth wall making an
angle of 60° to the horizontal. A man of mass 50 kg is standing vertically on the ladder Rwall
with his feet 1 m from P on a rough ground.
(a) Find the normal reaction exerted on the ladder by the ground at P. 4 sin 60° m
(b) Find the normal reaction exerted on the ladder by the wall.
(c) Find the friction acting on the ladder by the ground at P.
(d) If the maximum friction between the ladder and the ground is 400 N, how far from P
4m
can the man climb up the ladder without causing the ladder to fall?
Rground
(a) Consider vertical direction. 100g
1m
Rground = 100g + 50g = 100 × 9.81 + 50 × 9.81 = 1470 N 50g

(b) Take moment about P.

f
τclockwise = τanticlockwise
Rwall × 4 sin 60° = 100g cos 60° × 2 + 50g cos 60° × 1
Rwall × 4 sin 60° = 100 × 9.81 cos 60° × 2 + 50 × 9.81 cos 60°
Rwall = 354 N Rwall

(c) Consider horizontal direction.

f = Rwall = 354 N

(d) Rwall = f = 400 N 4 sin 60° m 4m

Take moment about P.
τclockwise = τanticlockwise 100g d
RP.13
wall × 4 sin 60° = 100g cos 60° × 2 + 50g cos 60° × d 50g
400 × 4 sin 60° = 100 × 9.81 cos 60° × 2 + 50 × 9.81 cos 60°× d
d = 1.65 m
 G10 DSE Physics Notes – Bk2 Ch.5 Moment of a Force

Example 28 [Ans: (1) F (2) T (3) T]

The diagram shows a 4-leg chair resting on the ground with a pair of legs leaning against a
wall. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(1) The wall must be rough. ( T / F )
(2) The ground must be rough. ( T / F )
(3) The vertical line through the c.g. of chair must pass through a point between PQ. ( T / F )

P.14