Physics and Archimedes Screw!

 
One major physics concept that relates to Archimedes Screw is torque. Torque is the measure of the turning force on an object. Just as you can push or pull an object, you can also turn it. Torque can be expressed in the following equation:
                                                                        
T=Fst

In words this is: Force (F) multiplied by length of torque arm (st) equals torque (T). Force is the amount of power you put into something and a torque arm is the object you use to apply torque. For , if you were turning a bolt with a wrench, the wrench would be your torque arm. This relates to Archimedes’ Screw because it has a torque arm. The torque arm on the screw is the handle that you move to make the screw rotate.
           
In the equation above, if the Force (F) is constant, then it is directly proportional to Torque Arm (T).

Example Problem 1:
           
Let’s say you were operating an Archimedes’ Screw. If you were using a one-foot handle to turn the screw and used 16N of force to do it, then this is how you would find how much torque you put on the screw.

Equation:
          
First you need to find the amount force you used (F) and the length of your torque arm (st)


T=Fst


F=16N, st= .3m (1ft)


Solve:


Now plug it all into the equation


T=Fst


16N(.3m) = T


4.8Nm = T


In order for torque to be applied you need something called force. Force is the amount of energy being put on something. The more force you put on something the greater the physical effect on the object. For example, if you were to throw a 5-pound object with 10 pounds of force it wouldn’t go as far if you had put 15 pounds of force into the throw.