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Measuring forces exerted by muscles

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Lesson notes

Moments and Muscles

  • A **moment** is the turning effect of a force around a point.
  • When a muscle pulls on a bone, it creates a **moment** around the **joint** (the pivot).
  • The size of the moment depends on the **force** exerted by the muscle and the **perpendicular distance** from the joint to where the force is applied.
  • Equation: **Moment = force × distance** (units: Newton metres, Nm).
  • Distance must be measured in metres (m) and force in Newtons (N).
  • To find the force exerted by a muscle, rearrange: **Force = moment ÷ distance**.
  • A **Newton meter** can directly measure the force applied by a muscle.

Calculating Moments

  • Example: A biceps curl holding a 100 N weight stationary, distance 0.5 m from elbow.
  • Moment = 100 N × 0.5 m = **50 Nm**.
  • If the weight is stationary, the upward force from the biceps equals the weight (100 N) – forces are balanced.
  • Always write the equation, substitute values, then calculate with units.

Calculating Force from Moment

  • If a hamstring applies a moment of 1200 Nm at 0.6 m from the knee, force = 1200 ÷ 0.6 = **2000 N**.
  • If a biceps applies a moment of 120 Nm at 0.5 m from the elbow, force = 120 ÷ 0.5 = **240 N**.
  • If a triceps applies a moment of 60 Nm at 0.4 m from the elbow, force = 60 ÷ 0.4 = **150 N**.
  • Always check units: force in N, distance in m, moment in Nm.

True or False Statements

  • A moment is measured by a Newton meter. **False** – a Newton meter measures force, not moment.
  • A moment depends on both force and perpendicular distance to a pivot. **True**.
  • Muscles create a moment around a joint. **True**.

Diagram of a biceps curl showing the pivot (elbow), force (weight), and distance.

Biceps Curl – Moment Diagram0.5 mElbow (pivot)Weight 100 NDistance 0.5 mDiagram shows arm with elbow pivot and weight at distance 0.5 m.Art: sciencefigures.org

Slides

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Practice questions

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  1. 1.What is the unit of a moment?

    Easy
    • ANewton metre (Nm)
    • BNewton (N)
    • CMetre (m)
    • DJoule (J)
  2. 2.Which of the following statements is true?

    Easy
    • AA moment is the turning effect of a force around a point.
    • BA moment is measured directly by a Newton meter.
    • CA moment is the same as force.
    • DA moment is the distance from a pivot.
  3. 3.What is the unit of force?

    Easy
    • ANewton (N)
    • BNewton metre (Nm)
    • CMetre (m)
    • DKilogram (kg)
  4. 4.A person holds a weight stationary. The force applied by the biceps must be equal to the weight because:

    Easy
    • Athe forces on the weight are balanced.
    • Bthe biceps is stronger than the weight.
    • Cthe moment is zero.
    • Dthe distance is zero.
  5. 5.Calculate the moment produced by a 50 N force at a perpendicular distance of 0.4 m from a pivot.

    Medium
    • A20 Nm
    • B125 Nm
    • C0.008 Nm
    • D50.4 Nm
  6. 6.A biceps exerts a force of 200 N at a distance of 0.3 m from the elbow. What is the moment?

    Medium
    • A60 Nm
    • B600 Nm
    • C0.0015 Nm
    • D200.3 Nm
  7. 7.A hamstring applies a moment of 1200 Nm at a distance of 0.6 m from the knee. Calculate the force.

    Medium
    • A2000 N
    • B720 N
    • C200 N
    • D1200.6 N
  8. 8.A biceps applies a moment of 120 Nm at a distance of 0.5 m from the elbow. Calculate the force.

    Medium
    • A240 N
    • B60 N
    • C120.5 N
    • D0.00417 N

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