Torque

First let´s start with, what is torque ?

What is Torque ?

Torque, moment or moment force, is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis. Torque can be thought as a twist to an object. The magnitude of torque depends of three quantities: the force applied, the lenght of the lever arm, and the angle between the force vector and the lever arm. In symbols will be:

T= rF or T=rFsin times theta

For our physics class we did a small lab activity. We used a ruler, a clip, some metric masses and a balance. We learned what is torque, how does it work, and how can we apply it's formula. 

First we set up the torque balance and we placed a clip for it to balance. Then we measure two masses of the same weight and we were trying to balance it. So we moved that was lighter to the center for it to balance.

Here are the results:

Then we did some other activities. First we spin a wheel and we were standing on a rotating board, it was very cool because the more you spin the wheel the more you will move. I happens because the wheel was exerting a force and our body acquired angular momentum, and because an external torque changes an angular momentum of a rigid body.

Then we had fun with the gyroscope because it looked like honduran tops or beyblades. What is a "gyroscope" ? 

A gyroscope is a device for measuring or maintaining orientation, based on the principles of angular momentum. So it deals with angular momentum too. Angular momentum is a vector quantity that represents the product of a body's rotational inertia and rotational velocity about a particular axis.

The application of gyroscopes include inertial navigation system where magnetic compasses would no work or would not be precise enough, or for the stabilization of vehicles like radio controlled helicopters or unmanned aerial vehicles. 

At the end we went to pre-school, to the merry go round. We saw the moment of inertia of the merry go round and the force applied. It was very hard because you had to be almost laying down and then when it started you had to get up and bring your body to the center. 

It was a great physics class and a very fun activity, I hope you enjoy this post. :D