Question

An athlete at the gym holds a 3.0 kg steel ball in his hand. His arm is 60 cm long and has a mass of 3.8 kg, with the center of mass at 40% of the arm length from the shoulder.
a. What is the magnitude of the torque about his shoulder due to the weight of the ball and his arm if he holds his arm straight out to his side, parallel to the floor?
b. What is the magnitude of the torque about his shoulder due to the weight of the ball and his arm if he holds his arm straight, but 45∘ below horizontal?

Answer 1

Answer:

(a) τ = 26.58 Nm

(b) τ = 18.79 Nm

Explanation:

(a)

First we find the torque due to the ball in hand:

τ₁ = F₁d₁

where,

τ₁ = Torque due to ball in hand = ?

F₁ = Force due to ball in hand = m₁g = (3 kg)(9.8 m/s²) = 29.4 N

d₁ = perpendicular distance between ball and shoulder = 60 cm = 0.6 m

τ₁ = (29.4 N)(0.6 m)

τ₁ = 17.64 Nm

Now, we calculate the torque due to the his arm:

τ₁ = F₁d₁

where,

τ₂ = Torque due to arm = ?

F₂ = Force due to arm = m₂g = (3.8 kg)(9.8 m/s²) = 37.24 N

d₂ = perpendicular distance between center of mass and shoulder = 40% of 60 cm = (0.4)(60 cm) = 24 cm = 0.24 m

τ₂ = (37.24 N)(0.24 m)

τ₂ = 8.94 Nm

Since, both torques have same direction. Therefore, total torque will be:

τ = τ₁ + τ₂

τ = 17.64 Nm + 8.94 Nm

τ = 26.58 Nm

(b)

Now, the arm is at 45° below horizontal line.

First we find the torque due to the ball in hand:

τ₁ = F₁d₁

where,

τ₁ = Torque due to ball in hand = ?

F₁ = Force due to ball in hand = m₁g = (3 kg)(9.8 m/s²) = 29.4 N

42.42 cm = 0.4242 m

τ₁ = (29.4 N)(0.4242 m)

τ₁ = 12.47 Nm

Now, we calculate the torque due to the his arm:

τ₁ = F₁d₁

where,

τ₂ = Torque due to arm = ?

F₂ = Force due to arm = m₂g = (3.8 kg)(9.8 m/s²) = 37.24 N

d₂ = perpendicular distance between center of mass and shoulder = 40% of (60 cm)(Cos 45°) = (0.4)(42.42 cm) = 16.96 cm = 0.1696 m

τ₂ = (37.24 N)(0.1696 m)

τ₂ = 6.32 Nm

Since, both torques have same direction. Therefore, total torque will be:

τ = τ₁ + τ₂

τ = 12.47 Nm + 6.32 Nm

τ = 18.79 Nm