Torque Blog Resource

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odTtfnWdfGU This video is one of the most famous balance beam routines in the history of the olympics. It also represents what a torque is and how they apply to everyday life. A torque is what causes something to rotate. Torque=(force)(lever arm)and the lever arm is the distance from the axis of rotation. If there is a large rotation there is a large torque. THe reason gymnasts are usually short and bend their legs on the balance beams is because when they bend down there center of gravity is low. And, on a balance beam you want the center of gravity lower so that it is harder for there to be a torque on your body (which means you are harder to spin.)