What happens when net torque is zero?

In summary, net torque is the sum of torques in a given situation. In the case of using a wrench to turn a nut counterclockwise, a nonzero net torque will result in angular acceleration. However, once the nut starts rotating at a steady rate, the net torque becomes zero. In the case where the net torque is zero, the object will not rotate. This is similar to the linear case, where a zero net force will result in no acceleration.
  • #1
jayadds
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I know that net torque is the sum of torques in a given situation. So take this as an example: If I used a wrench to turn a nut counterclockwise and it succesfully moves, is the net torque going to be non-zero? If so, then can someone please give me an example where the net torque can be zero.

Furthermore, if net torque is zero, does that mean the object doesn't rotate?
 
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  • #2
It's no different in this regard from the linear case.

A nonzero net torque will result in an angular acceleration.
When the nut starts to rotate, from stationary, it is being accelerated, so there is a net torque. But very soon it's rotating at a steady rate, so the net torque is back to zero. The torque you continue to apply is equal to the dynamic friction.

In the period during which you were building up the torque, but the nut was still not yielding, your applied torque was exactly balanced by static friction.
 

Related to What happens when net torque is zero?

What is net torque?

Net torque refers to the total amount of rotational force acting on an object. It takes into account both the magnitude and direction of individual torques acting on the object.

What happens when net torque is zero?

When net torque is zero, the object will not experience any rotational motion and will remain in a state of rotational equilibrium. This means that the sum of all clockwise torques acting on the object is equal to the sum of all counterclockwise torques, resulting in a net torque of zero.

How is net torque calculated?

Net torque can be calculated by multiplying the force applied to the object by the perpendicular distance from the pivot point (also known as the lever arm). The direction of the torque is determined by the direction of the force and the direction of the lever arm.

What is the importance of net torque?

Net torque is important because it helps us understand and predict the rotational motion of objects. It is essential in many scientific and engineering applications, such as designing machines and understanding the movement of planets and other celestial bodies.

Can net torque ever be negative?

Yes, net torque can be negative. This occurs when the sum of the counterclockwise torques is greater than the sum of the clockwise torques. This will result in a net torque with a negative value, indicating that the object will rotate in the opposite direction as expected.

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