Torque

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AP Physics 1 › Torque

Questions 1 - 10
1

A wrench turns a bolt about its center. A force $F$ is applied at the end of the wrench handle, but the force is directed along the handle toward the bolt, so the line of action passes through the pivot and the lever arm is $0$. What is the torque about the bolt?

Zero, because the lever arm is $0$.

It depends only on the bolt’s mass.

Nonzero, because any force at a distance causes torque.

$F$ times the wrench length, because the force is applied at the end.

Explanation

This question tests understanding of torque when force is directed through the pivot. Torque equals force times the perpendicular lever arm (τ = F × r⊥), where the lever arm is the shortest distance from the pivot to the force's line of action. When force is applied along the wrench handle toward the bolt, the line of action passes directly through the pivot point, making the perpendicular distance (lever arm) equal to zero. Since torque equals F × 0 = 0, no rotation occurs regardless of force magnitude. Choice B incorrectly assumes any force at the handle's end creates torque, ignoring that direction matters. Remember that torque depends on both where and in what direction force is applied—forces directed through the pivot produce zero torque.

2

A rigid rod is pivoted at its center. A force $F$ is applied at the right end at an oblique angle, closer to along the rod than perpendicular, so the line of action makes a small angle with the rod and the lever arm is small. Compared with applying the same $F$ perpendicular at the end, the torque magnitude is

the same, because only $F$ matters.

greater, because the force is applied at the same point.

dependent only on the rod’s mass distribution.

smaller, because the perpendicular lever arm is smaller.

Explanation

This question tests understanding of how force angle affects torque through the lever arm. Torque equals force times the perpendicular lever arm (τ = F × r⊥), where r⊥ is the shortest distance from pivot to the force's line of action. When force is applied at an oblique angle closer to along the rod than perpendicular, the perpendicular lever arm becomes much smaller than the distance to the application point. Compared to applying the same force perpendicular (which maximizes lever arm), the oblique force produces smaller torque magnitude. Choice B incorrectly ignores the angle's effect on lever arm, assuming only force magnitude matters. Always find the perpendicular distance from pivot to line of action—angled forces reduce the effective lever arm and thus the torque.

3

A sign is mounted on a horizontal beam that pivots about a wall hinge at the left end. A cable pulls upward on the beam at a point to the right of the hinge; the cable’s line of action is vertical, so the lever arm is the horizontal distance from hinge to attachment. If the attachment point is moved farther from the hinge while the pull force stays the same, the torque about the hinge

increases because the lever arm increases.

stays the same because the force is unchanged.

decreases because the beam is longer.

depends only on the sign’s weight.

Explanation

This question tests understanding of how changing lever arm affects torque when force remains constant. Torque equals force times perpendicular lever arm (τ = F × r⊥), making torque directly proportional to lever arm when force is fixed. Moving the cable attachment point farther from the hinge increases the horizontal distance (lever arm) while the upward pull force stays constant, thus increasing the torque about the hinge. This principle explains why longer wrenches make loosening bolts easier—increased lever arm means more torque for the same applied force. Choice B incorrectly assumes torque depends only on force magnitude, ignoring the lever arm's contribution. When analyzing torque changes, consider both force magnitude and lever arm distance—doubling either doubles the torque.

4

A circular disk can rotate about an axle through its center. A tangential force $F$ is applied at the rim at the top of the disk, pointing to the right; the line of action is horizontal and perpendicular to the radius there, so the lever arm equals the disk radius $R$. What is the direction of the torque about the axle?

Cannot be determined without $R$.

Clockwise.

Zero, because the force is horizontal.

Counterclockwise.

Explanation

This question tests understanding of torque direction for tangential forces on rotating objects. Torque is force times perpendicular lever arm, with direction indicating rotation sense. A rightward tangential force at the disk's top, perpendicular to the radius, has lever arm equal to radius R and would rotate the disk clockwise when viewed from above. Applying the right-hand rule: curl fingers in the clockwise rotation direction, and the thumb points into the page, confirming clockwise torque. Choice C incorrectly claims zero torque for horizontal forces, confusing force direction with the existence of a lever arm. For circular motion problems, tangential forces always produce maximum torque (lever arm = radius), while radial forces produce zero torque.

5

A uniform door rotates about a vertical hinge at its left edge (pivot). A student pushes on the door at the handle, $0.80,\text{m}$ from the hinge. The push is horizontal and its line of action makes an oblique angle (neither parallel nor perpendicular) with the door, so the lever arm is less than $0.80,\text{m}$. If the student instead pushes with the same force perpendicular to the door at the same point, how does the torque about the hinge change?

It increases.

It becomes zero because the door’s mass does not change.

It decreases.

It stays the same because the force magnitude is unchanged.

Explanation

This question assesses the concept of torque in rotational dynamics, specifically how the direction and point of application of a force affect the torque on a door. Torque is defined as the product of the applied force and the perpendicular distance from the pivot point to the line of action of the force, known as the lever arm. In the initial setup, the oblique angle results in a lever arm shorter than 0.80 m because only the component of the force perpendicular to the door contributes to the torque. When the force is applied perpendicularly, the lever arm becomes the full 0.80 m, maximizing the torque for the given force magnitude and distance. Choice C is incorrect because it ignores the change in the effective lever arm due to the angle of application. A useful strategy is to always calculate the perpendicular lever arm by considering the geometry of the force application to determine the torque accurately.

6

A uniform horizontal door is hinged at its left edge (pivot). A student pushes on the door at its outer right edge. The force’s line of action is vertical upward, and the push is applied perpendicular to the door’s plane so the lever arm equals the door’s full width. Which direction is the torque about the hinge?

Clockwise

Cannot be determined without the door’s weight

Counterclockwise

Zero, because the door’s mass is unchanged

Explanation

This question assesses the skill of determining the direction of torque in AP Physics 1. Torque is defined as the rotational equivalent of force, calculated as the product of the applied force and the perpendicular distance from the pivot point to the line of action of the force, known as the lever arm. In this scenario, the vertical upward force at the right edge creates a lever arm equal to the door's width, resulting in a torque that tends to rotate the door around the hinge. The direction is determined by the right-hand rule: pointing fingers in the direction of the force and curling toward the pivot indicates counterclockwise rotation. Choice A is incorrect because it suggests clockwise torque, which would occur if the force were downward instead. To analyze similar problems, always visualize the rotation direction by imagining the object's response to the force and confirm with the right-hand rule.

7

A rigid arm pivots at point $P$. A force $F$ is applied at a point a distance $r$ from $P$. The force’s line of action is perpendicular to the arm, so the lever arm equals $r$. If the application point is moved to $2r$ while keeping $F$ perpendicular and unchanged, the torque magnitude about $P$ becomes

twice as large

unchanged

half as large

four times as large

Explanation

This question evaluates scaling of torque with lever arm in AP Physics 1. Torque is the product of force and perpendicular lever arm, directly proportional to the lever arm when force is constant and perpendicular. Initially, τ = F r; moving to 2r doubles the lever arm. Thus, new torque is 2 F r, twice as large. Choice A distracts by halving instead, which would occur if r halved. Apply the formula τ = F d_perp systematically, isolating variables to see multiplicative effects.

8

A horizontal rod pivots at its left end. A student pulls downward on the rod at a point halfway along it. The force’s line of action is vertical downward, and the lever arm is the horizontal distance from the pivot to the pull point. What is the direction of the torque about the pivot?

Clockwise

Counterclockwise

Zero, because the force is vertical

Cannot be determined without the rod’s length

Explanation

This question examines the skill of identifying torque direction in AP Physics 1. Torque is computed as the force multiplied by the perpendicular lever arm, with direction determined by the potential rotation. The downward force at the midpoint creates a lever arm half the rod's length, producing a torque that rotates the rod. Using the right-hand rule, the downward force to the right of the pivot results in clockwise torque. Choice A is incorrect as it would apply to an upward force, reversing the direction. Always define a consistent convention, like positive for counterclockwise, to determine torque signs in problems.

9

A sign is mounted on a horizontal rod that pivots at the wall. A student pulls straight downward on the rod at a point $0.50,\text{m}$ from the pivot. The line of action is vertical and the rod is horizontal, so the force is qualitatively perpendicular to the rod. If the student pulls with the same force at $0.25,\text{m}$ from the pivot, what happens to the torque magnitude about the pivot?

It is unchanged because the force is unchanged.

It becomes half as large.

It depends only on the sign’s weight.

It becomes four times as large.

Explanation

This question assesses the concept of torque in rotational dynamics, exploring the effect of changing the point of force application on a sign's rod. Torque equals the force multiplied by the perpendicular lever arm, which here is the horizontal distance from the pivot to the force point since the force is vertical and perpendicular. Initially at 0.50 m, the torque is F times 0.50 m. Moving to 0.25 m halves the lever arm, thus halving the torque magnitude. Choice C is misleading as it focuses only on the unchanged force, disregarding the lever arm's role. For such problems, systematically apply the torque formula and note how each factor changes to predict outcomes.

10

A seesaw pivots at its center. Student A pushes straight down with $200,\text{N}$ at $1.5,\text{m}$ to the right of the pivot; Student B pushes straight down with $300,\text{N}$ at $1.0,\text{m}$ to the left. Both forces are perpendicular to the board, so each lever arm equals its distance from the pivot. Which torque magnitude is larger?

They are equal

Student A’s, because $1.5,\text{m}$ is larger

Cannot be compared without the board’s mass

Student B’s, because $300,\text{N}$ is larger

Explanation

This question tests calculating and comparing torque magnitudes. Torque equals force times perpendicular lever arm: τ = F × r⊥. For Student A: τ_A = 200 N × 1.5 m = 300 N·m (clockwise). For Student B: τ_B = 300 N × 1.0 m = 300 N·m (counterclockwise). Both torques have the same magnitude of 300 N·m, though they act in opposite rotational directions. Choice A incorrectly focuses only on distance, while choice B incorrectly focuses only on force magnitude. When comparing torques, always calculate the full product F × r⊥; neither factor alone determines which torque is larger.

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