AP Physics 1 5.3: Torque
Describe torque on a rigid system by combining force magnitude, lever arm, point of application, and direction relative to the rotation axis.
- Syllabus
- Effective Fall 2025
- Course
- AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based
Describe torque on a rigid system by combining force magnitude, lever arm, point of application, and direction relative to the rotation axis.

8 points; suggested time: 15-20 minutes
A mass m is initially resting at the center of a rotating disk with
rotational inertia (1/2)MR2. The entire system is freely rotating with an
initial angular speed of w0. As time goes by, the mass is carefully
moved at a constant speed outward from the center. This is done in
such a way that no torque on the system is introduced.

(b) How can one push the small mass m such that no torque is
induced?
(b) 1 point. If the force is applied radially outward the entire time, the
lever arm for the torque will be parallel to the force and thus no
torque will result.
(12 points, suggested time 25 minutes)
The left end of a uniform beam of mass M and length L is attached to a wall by a hinge, as shown in Figure 1. One end of a string with negligible mass is attached to the right end of the beam. The other end of the string is attached to the wall above the hinge at Point 1. The beam remains horizontal. The hinge exerts a force on the beam of magnitude FH, and the angle between the beam and the string is θ=θ1.
The following rectangle represents the beam in Figure 1. On the rectangle, draw and label the forces (not components) exerted on the beam. Draw each force as a distinct arrow starting on, and pointing away from, the point at which the force is exerted.

Figure 2
For drawing the gravitational force at the center of the beam that is directed downward For drawing the tension force at the right end of the beam that is directed upward and leftward
For a diagram with three force vectors that represent a system in equilibrium
Example Response

Scoring Note: Examples of appropriate labels for the gravitational force include FG,Fg, Fgrav ,W,mg,Mg, "grav force," F Earth on beam," " F on beam by Earth," FEarth on Beam ,FE, Beam , or FBeam ,E. The labels G or g are not appropriate labels for the gravitational force.
Scoring Note: Examples of appropriate labels for the normal force include Fn,FN,N, "normal force," or "wall force."
Scoring Note: Examples of appropriate labels for the tension force include Fstring ,Fs,FT, FTension , "string force," or "tension force."
Total for part (a)
3 points