alleryStart learning →For a given force, how should it be applied to a lever arm to maximize the torque produced?
APerpendicular to the lever arm
BParallel to the lever arm
CAt any angle, it never matters
DStraight toward the pivot point
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Perpendicular to the lever arm
1. Torque follows tau = rF sin(theta), where theta is measured from the lever arm to the force.
2. sin(theta) reaches its maximum value of 1 when theta = 90 degrees.
3. So torque is greatest when the force is applied perpendicular to the lever arm.
_Source: OpenStax Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 6 "Circular and Rotational Motion", section 6.3 Rotational Motion_
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