A simple pendulum consists of a 3 kg point of mass hanging at the end of a 2 m long light string that is connected to a pivot point.

a. Calculate the magnitude of the torque (due to gravitational force) around this pivot point when the string makes a 5 degree angle with the vertical.
b. Repeat this calculation for an angle of 15 degrees.

T=Fd sin() 9.8=gravity

T=(3)(9.8)(2)(sin(5))
T=5.1Nm

T=(3)(9.8)(2)(sin(15))
T=15 Nm

The torque about the pivot point

is
T = M g L sin A

A is the angle, M the mass and L is the string length

Nice

Thanks a lot, we didn't get that formula. That might be why I was having problems. :)

5.299

Good

Why isn't it negative? Gravity would be negative in this situation if I'm not mistaken.