This General Science quiz on Centre of Gravity, Torque and Equilibrium puts 12 multiple-choice questions to you, the verified MCQs published with GK24's note on the topic, 2 of them asked in real previous-year papers. Every question carries a full explanation of why the correct option is right and why the other options are wrong, so you learn the fact behind the answer rather than the letter. Attempt it right after reading the note, keep to the timer, and use the explanations at the end to mark what needs another look. Sit it again before the exam as a quick revision of the topic.
12 questions with answers and explanations
What is the SI unit of torque?
Torque is the product of a force and the perpendicular distance of its line of action from the axis of rotation, so its unit is the unit of force multiplied by the unit of length, the newton metre, and its dimensional formula is M L squared T to the power…
Read the full explanation →Three forces acting on a rigid body are represented in magnitude, direction and line of action by the three sides of a triangle taken in order. The forces are equivalent to a couple whose moment is equal to
When three forces are represented by the sides of a triangle taken in order, their vector sum is zero, because the three sides close the triangle, so the body cannot be pushed away; but the lines of action are different, so the system reduces to a couple.
Read the full explanation →The centre of gravity of a uniform circular ring lies
The centre of gravity is a geometrical point through which the resultant weight of a body acts, and by symmetry that point for a uniform ring is its geometrical centre, which lies in the empty space inside the ring.
Read the full explanation →The torque produced by a force about an axis is maximum when the angle between the force and the arm is
The magnitude of torque is r into F into the sine of the angle between the arm and the force, and the sine of an angle is largest, equal to one, at 90 degrees, so the whole of the force is then used in turning the body.
Read the full explanation →A long spanner loosens a tight nut more easily than a short one because it
Torque is the product of the force and the perpendicular distance of its line of action from the axis, so the same turning effect can be produced by a smaller force if that distance is made larger; a long handle therefore does the same work with less effort.
Read the full explanation →A rigid body is said to be in complete mechanical equilibrium when
A zero net force gives translational equilibrium, so the body as a whole does not accelerate, and a zero net torque gives rotational equilibrium, so it does not begin to spin; complete equilibrium requires the two together.
Read the full explanation →When a body in stable equilibrium is slightly displaced, its centre of gravity
In stable equilibrium the original position is the one of least potential energy, so a small displacement lifts the centre of gravity and the weight of the body brings it back, as with a cone resting on its base or a book lying flat on a table.
Read the full explanation →A wheelbarrow is an example of which class of lever?
In a wheelbarrow the wheel is the fulcrum, the load in the tray lies between the wheel and the hands, and the effort is applied at the handles, so the load sits in the middle, which defines a second class lever; a nutcracker, a bottle opener and a lemon squeezer…
Read the full explanation →The centre of gravity of a uniform solid right circular cone of height h lies on its axis at a distance of
A solid cone has more material near its wide base than near its apex, so its centre of gravity lies on the axis of symmetry well below the middle, at one quarter of the height measured from the base, which is three quarters of the height measured down from the…
Read the full explanation →A spinning skater pulls both arms close to the body and spins faster. This happens because
Moment of inertia is the sum of each bit of mass multiplied by the square of its distance from the axis, so drawing the arms in reduces it.
Read the full explanation →The following statements (S1 and S2) pertain to principle of moments stated as Varignon theorem: S1: Theorem states that the Square of the moment of a Force is equal to the Sum of the Square moment of its components. S2: For applying Varignon Theorem, the force system may be either coplanar or spatial, but it must be concurrent. Identify the statements as True or False and choose the best answer.
Varignon theorem states that the moment of a force about any point equals the algebraic sum of the moments of its components about the same point; it speaks of the moments themselves, not of their squares, so statement S1 is false as written.
Read the full explanation →A force of 20 newton is applied at right angles to a rod at a point 0.5 metre from the axis of rotation. The torque about the axis is
Torque is r into F into the sine of the angle between them, and since the force here is perpendicular to the rod the sine is one, so the torque is simply 0.5 multiplied by 20, that is 10 newton metre.
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