A student uses a handheld bottle opener to remove a metal cap from a bottle. The student applies a perpendicular force of 12.0 N to the handle of the opener at a distance of 0.15 m from the pivot.
State the equation linking moment, force and perpendicular distance from the pivot.
Calculate the moment of the force applied by the student on the bottle opener and give the unit.
The student then tries using a different, more compact bottle opener. On this compact opener, the force is applied at a distance of only 0.08 m from its pivot. Explain why the minimum force required to remove the same bottle cap using this compact opener is greater than 12.0 N.
