sciencegcse← Topic extras

Separate Physics · Paper 2 · Foundation + Higher · P5

Balanced moments and simple levers

Key ideas1 of 3

Balance the two turning effects

An object balanced about a pivot has equal total clockwise and anticlockwise moments. Add all moments turning one way and compare them with the total turning the other way. A force acting at the pivot produces no moment about it. In the diagram the beam’s own weight acts through the pivot, so it does not contribute to either turning total.

60 N load 0.20 m left of pivot P and unknown downward effort 0.60 m right; beam weight acts through P.

Next: Gears transmit turning effects →
Practice, downloads and sources

Daily 5 · Exam practice · Revision sheet ↓

Foundation + Higher · P5. Use alongside the shared P5 lessons.

AQA GCSE Physics 8463 · 4.5.4. Original notes, questions and diagrams. Models are simplified; teaching data are illustrative.