Calculate the moment of force given force and distance.

To calculate the moment of force, multiply the force by the perpendicular distance from the pivot.

The moment of force, also known as torque, is a measure of the turning effect of a force around a pivot. It is calculated by multiplying the force by the perpendicular distance from the pivot. The formula for moment of force is:

Moment of force = force x perpendicular distance from pivot

The unit of moment of force is newton-metres (Nm).

For example, if a force of 10 N is applied at a distance of 0.5 m from a pivot, the moment of force is:

Moment of force = 10 N x 0.5 m
Moment of force = 5 Nm

This means that the force has a turning effect of 5 Nm around the pivot.

It is important to note that the perpendicular distance from the pivot is the shortest distance between the pivot and the line of action of the force. If the force is not perpendicular to the pivot, the perpendicular component of the force must be used to calculate the moment of force.

In summary, to calculate the moment of force, multiply the force by the perpendicular distance from the pivot. This formula is useful in many applications, such as calculating the torque required to turn a bolt or the force needed to lift a lever.