Subject Code PHY 1 Physics 1

Module Code 10.0 Rotation

Lesson Code 10.2 Torque
Time Frame 30 minutes

Components Tasks TA1 ATA2

(min) (min)
Target By the end of this learning guide, the student should be able to:
● define torque and differentiate it from force; and 1
● calculate for the net torque and determine the direction of
rotation

Hook Before we start, let’s have an exercise first ☺. Kindly follow the
5
steps below:

1. Extend your arms forward such that they are parallel to the
ground.
2. Ask someone to place a load (maybe a 1-kg object) on your
arms while maintaining your arms horizontally forward all
throughout the activity.
3. Place the load near your shoulders.
4. After 5 seconds, place the load midway along your arms
(somewhere around the elbows).
5. Finally, place the load on your palm.

How did you feel as the load was brought away from your
shoulders while maintaining your arms horizontally forward?
Does it mean that the weight of the load becomes greater as it was
brought away from your shoulders? Can you explain why?

What you feel is actually the result of what we call in Physics as

“Torque”.

Ignite
In the previous lessons, a non-zero net force ( ~F net ) accelerates 15
an object in linear motion. On the other hand, a non-zero net
torque ( ~Ü net ) accelerates or changes the state of motion of a
rotating object.

Torque ( ~Ü ) is basically the ability of a force to rotate or twist an

1
Time allocation suggested by the teacher.
2
Actual time allocation spent by the student (for information purposes only).

Physics 1 Torque Page 1 of 6

 object about a pivot.

Consider a beam that is free to move about a pivot fixed on one of

its ends. A force is applied perpendicular to the beam at the other
end as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Force applied at one end of the beam

The applied force would cause the beam to rotate around an axis
that passes through the pivot. The greater the strength of the force
applied, the more it would rotate the beam. That is, the greater the
torque on the beam.

If there are three forces of the same magnitude acting on the

beam, one acting at one end as in the previous case, one acting at
the midpoint, and one acting at the pivot, how do the effect of
these three forces compare? Which force would produce the
greatest amount of rotation on the beam?

Figure 2. Forces applied at one end of the beam, at the midpoint, and at
the pivot

In the example shown in Figure 2, the force acting on the pivot

will not be able to rotate the beam, while the force acting on the
other end would rotate the beam more than the force acting on the
midpoint. The farther the force is applied from the pivot, the
greater the torque produced or the greater its effect in rotating the
beam.

Next, consider three forces of the same magnitude acting on the

beam at one end but different in directions: perpendicular to,
parallel to, and at some other angle with respect to the beam.

Figure 3. Forces applied at one end of the beam: parallel,

perpendicular, and at an angle

The force parallel to the beam in Figure 3 cannot rotate it.

Physics 1 Torque Page 2 of 6

 Meanwhile, the force perpendicular to the beam would produce
more rotation compared to the force directed at an angle. Only the
component of the force perpendicular to the beam produces
torque.

From the three examples discussed above, it can be deduced that

torque depends on three factors: (i) strength of the force applied,
(ii) distance of point of application of force from the pivot, (iii)
and direction of the force. These three factors can be summarized
in the following equation for torque:
Ü = r(F sinÒ) [eqn 1]
r
where is the distance from the pivot to the point where the force
acts and F sinÒ is the component of the force perpendicular to
the beam.

Another way of getting torque is by determining the moment or

lever arm, or the perpendicular distance from the pivot to the line
of action of the force. As shown in the figure below, if the angle
between the force and the beam is Ò , the moment arm is equal to
rsinÒ .

Figure 4. Moment arm is the perpendicular distance from the pivot to

the line of action of force

The torque can be obtained by multiplying the force applied and

the moment arm:
Ü = F (rsinÒ) [eqn 2]

which is equivalent to equation 1. Torque has an S.I. unit of

Newton-meter or Nm.

Direction of torque

Note that a torque is a vector quantity, thus, we need to know not

only its magnitude but also its direction. Equations 1 and 2 can be
generalized into a cross product

Physics 1 Torque Page 3 of 6

 ~Ü = ~r  ~F [eqn 3]
where ~r is a vector directed from the pivot or axis of rotation to
the point of application of force. A cross product is a vector

operation involving two vectors, in this case ~r and ~F , and

resulting to another vector, ~Ü , with a magnitude equal to the
product of the magnitude of the two given vectors and the angle
between them, as in equations 1 and 2. Moreover, the direction of
the result of the cross product is perpendicular to both the given
vectors.

One way to determine the direction of torque using the right hand
as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5. Right-hand rule in determining torque

In using the right-hand rule, the fingers must be first aligned with
the direction of vector ~r and then bent towards the direction of
force. The thumb then points to the direction of torque ~Ü while
the curl of the fingers indicate the direction of rotation. Take note

that ~Ü is perpendicular to both ~r and ~F . The direction of torque

is not exactly the direction of rotation. Instead, the torque is along
the axis of rotation.

To further illustrate, consider the two cases shown in Figure 6. In

the case A, if you curl or bend the fingers of your right hand

from ~r to ~F , the torque would be directed out of the plane of the

page giving rise to a counterclockwise rotation. In case B, if you
curl or bend the fingers of your right hand from

Physics 1 Torque Page 4 of 6

 ~r to ~F , the torque would be directed into the plane of the page
giving rise to a clockwise rotation.

Figure 6. (A) Counterclockwise rotation corresponding to a torque

directed out of the page (B) Clockwise rotation corresponding to a
torque directed into the page

By convention, the directions out of the page and into the page are
denoted as positive and negative, respectively.

Navigate Now let’s try to check your understanding 8

Using the figure below, find the torque exerted by each of the

forces ~F A = 3N , ~F B = 4N , ~F C = 5N on the 0.77-m long

beam and the net torque of these forces.

Note: that the net torque or the total torque (Ü

~ net ) is simply just

the sum of all the torques ( ~Ü A ; ~Ü B ; ~Ü C ) created by the individual

forces. Be mindful of the convention for the signs (+ and -).

Knot 1
Torque, ~Ü , is the ability of the force to rotate an object. The
amount of torque is determined by the strength of the force
applied, distance of point of application of force from the pivot,
and the direction of the force.

Torque can be expressed in the form of a cross product

~Ü = ~r  ~F

Physics 1 Torque Page 5 of 6

 where ~r is a vector directed from the pivot or axis of rotation to
the point of application of force.

The direction of torque can be determined by applying the

right-hand rule in which the fingers must be first aligned with the
direction of vector ~r and then bent towards the direction of force.
The thumb then points to the direction of torque ~Ü while the curl
of the fingers indicate the direction of rotation.

Give at least one more example where the torque is observed and
label the parts (pivot, moment arm, and the force).

References:
1.Young, Hugh D. and Freedman, Roger A. (2012). University Physics with Modern Physics 12th ed.
United States of America: Pearson Education, Inc.
2.Torque (article) | Khan Academy

Prepared by: Marjun M. Tugade Reviewed by: Joseph P. Hortezuela

Position: SST III Position: SST-V

Campus: SOCCSKSARGEN Region Campus Campus: Central Visayas Campus

Physics 1 Torque Page 6 of 6