Physics: Rotational Motion and Torque

Objectives

• Students will describe how different forces can be balanced.
• Students will relate the balance of a lever to torque on a wrench.
• Students will develop an understanding of torques as they relate to force applied at different angles.

Vocabulary

• balance
• eccentric
• equilibrium torque
• force
• force perpendicular
• fulcrum
• gravity
• lever
• lever arm
• rotational motion
• torque

About the Lesson

This lesson has students create situations where a simple lever is in balance.
As a result, students will:

• Understand that a lever is balanced by the product of the lever arm and the force.
• Compare a first class lever to a third class lever and explore the concept of torque.
• Develop equations for the relationship of perpendicular force and torque.