Lesson
Angular Kinetics - continued
TORQUE and its EFFECT on EQUILIBRIUM and LEVERS
LEVERS
Moment Arm length is also an important concept with LEVERS
MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (MA) = moment arm of force / moment arm of resistance
If Moment Arm of the FORCE is LONGER than of RESISTANCE, MA > 1 and less
force is required to move the resistance. CONVERSELY,
If Moment Arm of the FORCE is SHORTER than of RESISTANCE, MA < 1 and a force
larger than the resistance must be applied to move it. HOWEVER, the benefit of this
arrangement is that a small movement of the lever at the force end, creates a LARGE
Range of Motion at the resistance end, AND allows for greater ANGULAR SPEED.