physics
Find the net torque on the wheel in the figure below about the axle through O perpendicular to the page, taking a = 11.0 cm and b = 23.0 cm. (Indicate the direction with the sign of your answer. Assume that the positive direction is counterclockwise.)
Reply
Answers
The net torque on the wheel about the axle is given by the equation τnet = (ra)(F1) - (rb)(F2), where ra and rb are the distances from the axle to points A and B respectively, and F1 and F2 are the forces acting at points A and B. In this problem, ra = 11.0 cm and rb = 23.0 cm. Since we don't know the magnitudes of F1 and F2, we cannot calculate the net torque. However, we can determine the direction of the net torque. From the diagram, we see that F1 is pointing to the right, while F2 is pointing down. This means that the moment arms for F1 and F2 have opposite signs. Therefore, the net torque on the wheel about the axle is counterclockwise, which is the positive direction.
