If the torque required to loosen a nut on the wheel of a car has a magnitude of 40.0 N•m,what minimum force must be exerted by a mechanic at the end of a 30.0 cm wrench to loosen the nut?

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What minimum force must be exerted?

**Physics Problem: Calculating Torque Requirements**

**Problem Statement:**

If the torque required to loosen a nut on the wheel of a car has a magnitude of 40.0 N·m, what minimum force must be exerted by a mechanic at the end of a 30.0 cm wrench to loosen the nut?

---

**Explanation:**

This problem involves calculating the necessary force to achieve a given torque when using a wrench. Torque (\( \tau \)) is calculated using the equation:

\[ \tau = r \times F \]

where:
- \( \tau \) is the torque (in Newton-meters, N·m),
- \( r \) is the lever arm length (in meters, m),
- \( F \) is the force applied perpendicular to the lever arm (in Newtons, N).

**Given:**
- Torque (\( \tau \)) = 40.0 N·m
- Lever arm length (\( r \)) = 30.0 cm = 0.30 m

**To Find:**
- Minimum Force (\( F \)) required to loosen the nut

**Solution:**

Rearrange the equation to solve for force (\( F \)):

\[ F = \frac{\tau}{r} \]

Substitute the known values:

\[ F = \frac{40.0 \, \text{N·m}}{0.30 \, \text{m}} \]

\[ F = 133.33 \, \text{N} \]

Therefore, the mechanic must exert a minimum force of approximately 133.33 N at the end of the wrench to loosen the nut.
Transcribed Image Text:**Physics Problem: Calculating Torque Requirements** **Problem Statement:** If the torque required to loosen a nut on the wheel of a car has a magnitude of 40.0 N·m, what minimum force must be exerted by a mechanic at the end of a 30.0 cm wrench to loosen the nut? --- **Explanation:** This problem involves calculating the necessary force to achieve a given torque when using a wrench. Torque (\( \tau \)) is calculated using the equation: \[ \tau = r \times F \] where: - \( \tau \) is the torque (in Newton-meters, N·m), - \( r \) is the lever arm length (in meters, m), - \( F \) is the force applied perpendicular to the lever arm (in Newtons, N). **Given:** - Torque (\( \tau \)) = 40.0 N·m - Lever arm length (\( r \)) = 30.0 cm = 0.30 m **To Find:** - Minimum Force (\( F \)) required to loosen the nut **Solution:** Rearrange the equation to solve for force (\( F \)): \[ F = \frac{\tau}{r} \] Substitute the known values: \[ F = \frac{40.0 \, \text{N·m}}{0.30 \, \text{m}} \] \[ F = 133.33 \, \text{N} \] Therefore, the mechanic must exert a minimum force of approximately 133.33 N at the end of the wrench to loosen the nut.
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