A2L Item 104
- Description: Identify the correct statement regarding torque due to two forces.
- Goal: Hone the concept of torque
- Source: UMPERG-ctqpe131
- Keywords: Mechanics, Rotational Motion, Torque, Vectors
The question for students:
Which of the following statements is true about this situation?
- There are no points having zero total torque.
- There is one point having zero total torque.
- There are many points having zero total torque.
Commentary for teachers:
Answer
(3) Many students realize that there is at least one point, the intersection of the lines of action of the two forces, having zero torque. A drawing is usually sufficient to convince students that there is an entire line along which the torque is zero.