Balanced vs. Unbalanced Torques - Questions

The Balanced vs. Unbalanced Torques Concept Builder is comprised of 48 questions. The questions are divided into 12 different question groups. Questions in the same group are rather similar to one another. The Concept Builder is coded to select at random a question from each group until a student is successful with that group of questions.

The questions and question groups are organized into three different difficulty levels. The difficulty levels are differentiated as follows:

• Apprentice Difficulty Level  Question Groups 1-4: Students are given two torques and must analyze the torques experienced by an object in order to determine if the object is experiencing an angular acceleration.
• Master Difficulty Level  Question Groups 5-8: Students are given two forces and their point of application and must determine if the torques balance and whether there is an angular acceleration.
• Wizard Difficulty Level  Question Groups 9-12: Students are given three or four forces and their point of application and must determine if the torques balance and whether there is an angular acceleration.

The questions from each group are shown below. Teachers are encouraged to view the questions in order to judge which activity is most appropriate for their classes. We recommend doing all three activities. 

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Activity 1: Apprentice Difficulty Level
Question Group 1
Questions 1
The two dots on the diagram represent the point of application of two forces on a beam. The resulting torques (τ) are shown.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 2
The two dots on the diagram represent the point of application of two forces on a beam. The resulting torques (τ) are shown.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 3
The two dots on the diagram represent the point of application of two forces on a beam. The resulting torques (τ) are shown.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 4
The two dots on the diagram represent the point of application of two forces on a beam. The resulting torques (τ) are shown.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
 
 
Question Group 2
Question 5
The two dots on the diagram represent the point of application of two forces on a beam. The resulting torques (τ) are shown.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 6
The two dots on the diagram represent the point of application of two forces on a beam. The resulting torques (τ) are shown.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 7
The two dots on the diagram represent the point of application of two forces on a beam. The resulting torques (τ) are shown.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 8
The two dots on the diagram represent the point of application of two forces on a beam. The resulting torques (τ) are shown.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
 
 
Question Group 3
Question 9
The two dots on the diagram represent the point of application of two forces on a beam. The resulting torques (τ) are shown.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 10
The two dots on the diagram represent the point of application of two forces on a beam. The resulting torques (τ) are shown.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 11
The two dots on the diagram represent the point of application of two forces on a beam. The resulting torques (τ) are shown.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 12
The two dots on the diagram represent the point of application of two forces on a beam. The resulting torques (τ) are shown.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
 
 
Question Group 4
Question 13
The two dots on the diagram represent the point of application of two forces on a beam. The resulting torques (τ) are shown.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 14
The two dots on the diagram represent the point of application of two forces on a beam. The resulting torques (τ) are shown.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 15
The two dots on the diagram represent the point of application of two forces on a beam. The resulting torques (τ) are shown.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 16
The two dots on the diagram represent the point of application of two forces on a beam. The resulting torques (τ) are shown.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 

 
Activity 2: Master Difficulty Level
Question Group 5
Question 17
The diagram shows two forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 18
The diagram shows two forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 19
The diagram shows two forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 20
The diagram shows two forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
 
 
Question Group 6
Question 21
The diagram shows two forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 22
The diagram shows two forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 23
The diagram shows two forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 24
The diagram shows two forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
 
 
Question Group 7
Question 25
The diagram shows two forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 26
The diagram shows two forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 27
The diagram shows two forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 28
The diagram shows two forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
 
 
Question Group 8
Question 29
The diagram shows two forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 30
The diagram shows two forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 31
The diagram shows two forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 32
The diagram shows two forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 

 
Activity 3: Wizard Difficulty Level
Question Group 9
Question 33
The diagram shows three forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 34
The diagram shows three forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 35
The diagram shows three forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 36
The diagram shows three forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
 
 
Question Group 10
Question 37
The diagram shows three forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.  
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
 
Question 38
The diagram shows three forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
 
 
Question 39
The diagram shows three forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
 
 
Question 40
The diagram shows three forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
 
 
 
 
Question Group 11
Question 41
The diagram shows three forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
 
Question 42
The diagram shows three forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
 
 
Question 43
The diagram shows three forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
 
 
Question 44
The diagram shows three forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
 
 
Question Group 12
Question 45
The diagram shows four forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 46
The diagram shows four forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 47
The diagram shows four forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?
 
 
Question 48
The diagram shows four forces and their point of application upon a beam. Each force will result in a torque.
   
Are these torques balanced or unbalanced?
Will the combined effect of these torques cause the beam to undergo a rotational acceleration?