Science calculator

Moments and pivots.

Calculate one moment or balance two opposing moments about a pivot. Enter the known values and leave one blank.

Moment M
M=FdF1d1=F2d2

Assumptions

  • d is the shortest perpendicular distance from the pivot to the force's line of action.
  • The pivot is fixed and friction at the pivot is neglected.
  • For balance, the two moments act in opposite rotational directions and no other unlisted moment acts.
  • Static equilibrium also requires zero resultant force; equal moments alone do not guarantee complete equilibrium.

How it works

A force turns an object more strongly when either the force or its perpendicular distance from the pivot increases. Their product is the moment.

For a stationary balanced object, total clockwise moment equals total anticlockwise moment. The balance mode equates one force–distance product to the other.

Leave one quantity blank to rearrange the selected equation. Use perpendicular distance, not simply the length of a sloping lever.