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How do you pick an axis of rotation for statics?

In static equilibrium problems, strictly, there is no rotation actually happening and so no actual axis of rotation. However, there is often a potential axis of rotation-- rotation would occur in a certain direction due to torque from a given force if there were no balancing torques. (You can think of a torque in balance as ``trying'' to rotate an object in a certain direction.) The best place to pick a pivot point for determining torques is often where the axis of rotation would be (such as a hinge or joint).



Kate Scholberg 2015-03-24