Physics: Calculating Torque?

You are installing a new spark plug in your car, and the manual specifies that it be tightened to a torque that has a magnitude of 53 N·m. Using the data in the figure, determine the magnitude F of the force that you must exert on the wrench.

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3 Answers

  • 2 months ago
    Favourite answer

    What makes this question seem very silly is that nobody would pull on the wrench in that direction.  He would pull on it in a direction perpendicular to the wrench.  Oh, but then the physics problem would be too easy, right?

    OK, so let's say some nincompoop actually does pull on the wrench in the direction shown by "F".  The torque is F*cos(40)*0.28m, and you need this to equal 53 N*m.  So you have

    F = (53 N*m)/[cos(40) * 0.28m] = 247 N.

  • oubaas
    Lv 7
    1 month ago

    53 = F*L*sin 50°

    F = 53/(0.28*0.766) = 247 N (250 with just 2 sign. digits)

  • Vaman
    Lv 7
    1 month ago

    Use this simple calculation force*distance between wrench head and hand gripping position should be = 50 N m. This term comes so that the screw threads are not damaged.

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