Question

For the meter stick shown in figure 10-4, the force F1 10.0 N acts at 10.0 cm. What is the magnitude of torque due to F1 about an axis through point A perpendicular to the page? Is it clockwise, or is it counterclockwise? Show your work and give correct units.

Answer 1

Torque is equal position vector times (r) times force vector (F).  Since F= 10 N and r = 0.1 m, so the torque is equal to (10 N) x ( 0.1 m) = 1Nm. The direction of the torque would be into the screen, clockwise rotation.