Education Technology


Physics: Rotational Motion and Torque

by Texas Instruments - Simulation Lesson

Objectives

  • Students will describe how different forces can be balanced.
  • Students will relate the balance of a lever to torque on a wrench.
  • Students will develop an understanding of torques as they relate to force applied at different angles.

Vocabulary

  • balance
  • eccentric
  • equilibrium torque
  • force
  • force perpendicular
  • fulcrum
  • gravity
  • lever
  • lever arm
  • rotational motion
  • torque

About the Lesson

This lesson has students create situations where a simple lever is in balance.
As a result, students will:

  • Understand that a lever is balanced by the product of the lever arm and the force.
  • Compare a first class lever to a third class lever and explore the concept of torque.
  • Develop equations for the relationship of perpendicular force and torque.