EXSC 362

Define torque
Define static equilibrium
Determine the resultant of two or more torques
Determine if an object is in static equilibrium when the forces and torques acting on the object are known
Determine an unknown force or torque acting on an object, if all the other forces and torques acting on the object are known and the object is in static equilibrium
Define center of gravity
Estimate the location of the center of gravity of an object or body

Torque: The turning effect produced by a force

Book example

Ruler example

Lever systems

Inside the body

Mechanical advantage:
Resistance Force/Effort Force
or Effort Arm/Resistance Arm

Tools provide an excellent example of using torques

Torques in diving

Wrestlers use torques to reposition their opponents

Are there torques in Doug Padilla's race?

Muscle forces and torques

What is the purpose of a patella?

Equilibrium: Forces and Torques Must Balance

What happens as the angle of force changes?

Sample problem

Is there a benefit to having the joint position that maximizes the effort arm being a different position than the joint position that maximizes muscle force?

Where is our center of mass?
Center of mass in a gymnast

How can we use these principles in sport?

Jump Height Experiment

Stability: The capacity of an object to return to equilibrium or to its original position after being displaced

Factors affecting stability:

Height of the center of mass
Size of base of support
Weight of object

How do we calculate center of mass position?

Body segment parameters

Calculating center of mass in a body
The shoulder of a tennis player is 1.60m above the ground while the elbow is 1.77m above the ground. Where is the center of mass of the upper arm (the length percent for the upper arm is 43.6%)?

High jump example of center of mass