The figure shows a jet engine suspended beneath the wing of an airplane. The weight of the engine is 14600 N and acts as shown in the figure. In flight the engine produces a thrust of 55100 N that is parallel to the ground. The rotational axis in the figure is perpendicular to the plane of the paper. With respect to this axis, find the magnitude of the torque due to (a) the weight and (b) the thrust.
To find the magnitude of the torque due to the weight and the thrust, we need to understand the concept of torque and how it is calculated.
Torque is a measure of the force that can cause an object to rotate about an axis. It depends on the distance between the axis of rotation and the line of action of the force, as well as the magnitude of the force.
(a) Torque due to the weight:
The torque due to a force is calculated by multiplying the magnitude of the force by the perpendicular distance between the force and the axis of rotation. In this case, the weight of the engine is acting perpendicular to the rotational axis.
Given:
Weight of the engine (force) = 14600 N
Since the weight acts perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the perpendicular distance is the distance from the axis of rotation to the point where the weight is applied. However, this distance is not indicated in the figure.
Therefore, we need additional information, such as the distance or lever arm, to determine the torque due to the weight accurately.
(b) Torque due to the thrust:
Similarly, the torque due to the thrust can be calculated by multiplying the magnitude of the thrust force by the perpendicular distance between the force and the axis of rotation. In this case, the thrust force is parallel to the ground, so it does not contribute to the torque about the axis of rotation.
Therefore, the torque due to the thrust is zero.
In summary, without the specific distance or lever arm provided in the figure, we cannot determine the torque due to the weight accurately. The thrust does not contribute to the torque about the given axis of rotation.