Forces and moments

Forces are pushes or pulls that cause objects to move or change shape. Moments, also called torques, are rotational forces that make an object turn around a point or axis. Think of pushing a door near its handle (creating a force) or using a wrench to turn a bolt (creating a moment). While forces directly affect an object's motion or shape, moments influence how the object rotates. Both are fundamental in understanding how objects respond when subjected to different loads, ensuring structures are safe and functional.