Expert: Ahmed Salami - 8/23/2009

Question
when you take moments how do you know if it's clockwise or anticlosewise moment.
How can determine it?? and i mean in case when rope of ladder is not horizontal but at an e.g.60degree to horizontal.


Answer
Hi Jane,
The moment is clockwise if the force is directed downwards and the pivot (the point about which you're taking moments) is to the left or when the force is directed upwards and the pivot is to the right. Try to imagine it and you'd get the picture.
For a slant force you need to consider the component of the force doing the turning. For simplicity, lets say its the vertical component, then the same consideration applies as above.
You can always get back to me.

Regards