Sign In

4.6 : Resultant Moment: Vector Formulation

When a force is applied to an object, the tendency of the object to rotate about a point is known as its moment. If multiple forces are acting on an object, the sum of moments of all the forces acting on a body can be expressed as the resultant moment of the system. The resultant moment can be considered a vector quantity that can be added and subtracted like any other vector.

The resultant moment of a system of forces can be calculated through vector formulation. For example, if we consider two forces, F1 and F2, acting on a pole at points A and B, respectively, the resultant moment of these forces can be expressed as

MR = (rA x F1)+ (rB x F2).

where rA and rB are the position vectors from a fixed point to the points A and B, respectively. The product r x F is known as the moment of the force, and they can be expressed in determinant form. Considering the cross-product of the position vector with the force vector takes into account the direction of the force and the point about which it causes rotational motion.

This vector formulation of the resultant moment has several practical applications. For example, engineers use it to calculate the torque on machine parts, such as gears, pulleys, and cranks. It is also widely used in sports sciences to calculate the torques on joints during different types of physical activity.

Tags
Resultant MomentVector FormulationMoment Of ForceTorque CalculationCross productPosition VectorForce VectorRotational MotionPractical ApplicationsEngineering MechanicsSports SciencesMoment Calculation

From Chapter 4:

article

Now Playing

4.6 : Resultant Moment: Vector Formulation

Force System Resultants

2.6K Views

article

4.1 : Moment of a Force: Scalar Formulation

Force System Resultants

434 Views

article

4.2 : Moment of a Force: Problem Solving

Force System Resultants

323 Views

article

4.3 : Resultant Moment: Scalar Formulation

Force System Resultants

1.2K Views

article

4.4 : Moment of a Force: Vector Formulation

Force System Resultants

1.1K Views

article

4.5 : Cartesian Form for Vector Formulation

Force System Resultants

476 Views

article

4.7 : Principle of Moments

Force System Resultants

1.3K Views

article

4.8 : Principle of Moments: Problem Solving

Force System Resultants

633 Views

article

4.9 : Moment of a Force About an Axis: Scalar

Force System Resultants

226 Views

article

4.10 : Moment of a Force About an Axis: Vector

Force System Resultants

221 Views

article

4.11 : Couple

Force System Resultants

267 Views

article

4.12 : Couples: Scalar and Vector Formulation

Force System Resultants

159 Views

article

4.13 : Equivalent Couples

Force System Resultants

204 Views

article

4.14 : Moment of a Couple: Problem Solving

Force System Resultants

685 Views

article

4.15 : System of Forces and Couples

Force System Resultants

278 Views

See More

JoVE Logo

Privacy

Terms of Use

Policies

Research

Education

ABOUT JoVE

Copyright © 2025 MyJoVE Corporation. All rights reserved