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Home Concept Builders Rotational Motion and Balance Torque Help Help 6

Torque - Questions 6 Help

A force that is applied to a seesaw along a line that does not extend through the axis of rotation (i.e., the fulcrum) will cause the seesaw to rotate. The direction of rotation depends on the direction of the force. And the sign on the resulting torque is associated with the direction of rotation of the seesaw.

There are four similar versions of this question. Here is one of the versions:

Version 1:

A force is applied to a see-saw as shown. Which one of the following statements regarding the resulting torque and rotation is true?
Because of the direction of this force, there is no torque and no rotation.
The torque will cause a clockwise rotation; it's sign would be positive.
The torque will cause a clockwise rotation; it's sign would be negative.
The torque will cause a counter-clockwise rotation; it's sign would be positive.
The torque will cause a counter-clockwise rotation; it's sign would be negative.
 

When a force is applied to a seesaw in a direction that does not extend through the axis of rotation (i.e., the fulcrum), a torque is said to exist. A torque in and of itself will cause a seesaw to rotate about its fulcrum. The direction that it rotates can be described as counter-clockwise or clockwise. This direction of rotation can be determined by the direction of the force and the side of the fulcrum upon which it is exerted. In the event that it is not obvious, an upward force applied on the right side of the fulcrum or a downward force applied to the left side of the fulcrum will cause a counter-clockwise rotation. On the other hand, a downward force applied on the right side of the fulcrum or an upward force applied to the left side of the fulcrum will cause a clockwise rotation.

A torque is typically assigned a positive or a negative sign based on the direction of rotation that it causes. A torque that causes a counter-clockwise rotation is a positive torque. On the other hand, a torque that causes a clockwise rotation is a negative torque.

Try these links to The Physics Classroom Tutorial for more help with understanding the concept of torque and rotation:

Sorry. We hope to add resources in the future.

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