- #1
brotherbobby
- 618
- 152
- Homework Statement
- A man holds a dumbbell in two different positions : (1) with his arm hanging by his side and (2) with his arm outstretched. Which of his two positions are easier and why?
- Relevant Equations
- Balancing of forces : ##\Sigma \vec F=0##. Balancing of torques : ##\Sigma \tau = 0##
The figure above shows a man holding the dumbbell in the two different positions. The force ##F ( = w)## that the man has to apply is the same in both cases. So really, the two cases should be as easy or as hard. However, in the second case, the man has to balance the torque that the dumbell would apply with his shoulders as the rotating point (pivot). Is it this which makes the second case harder?
Long as forces stay equal, is it harder to use the force to apply a torque than to apply none? I am far from convinced.