# Lug Wrench vs. Breaker Bar

### Model Description

Introduce Varignon’s theorem to students as one way to determine the moment about a point.  Show how moments are free vectors. This demonstration should take 10 minutes.

### Engineering Principle

Varignon’s Theorem states that the moment of a force is equal to the sum of the moments of that force’s components about the same point.

$M_{PT} = F_x d \bot_y + F_y d \bot_x$

where $d\bot =$ Perpendicular distance from the force’s line of action to the point.

### What You Need

Item Quantity Description/Clarification
Scale 1 A typical bathroom scale will do. \$20
Clamp 2 Two heavier duty clamps that can hold down the bolt holder apparatus. \$8, each
Bolt and Nut 1 The head of the bolt should correspond approximately in size to a lug nut. \$8
Bolt Holder 1 This device is simply meant to hold the bolt and be clamped to a desk or windowsill.  It consists of a hollow shaft, large enough in inner diameter to allow the above bolt through, welded to two flat plates that will be clamped down. \$25; 30 minutes
Breaker Bar 1 A breaker bar designed for lug nut applications is required; typically, any breaker bar from a car’s spare tire assembly will work. \$20
Lug Wrench 1 Any type of lug wrench that has two equally spaced arms will do. \$12

### How It’s Done

In Class:

Introduce the concept of Varignon’s theorem in the context of changing a tire.  The mounted nut is your lug nut on the tire.  Using the breaker bar apply a moment to the nut, but push at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the breaker bar.    The definition of a moment included the perpendicular distance to the force’s line of action.  If the force is not applied perpendicular to the breaker bar as the nut is turned, then it is difficult to calculate the distance without extensive geometry.  Introduce Varignon’s Theorem to help at this point.  Using the magnitude of the angle and the magnitude of the force applied to the breaker bar, calculate the moment.  Choose these values carefully beforehand to prove the next point.

Contrast the Moment from a Couple with Moment from a Force

Calculate the Moment if using the lug wrench and the same total force magnitude as with the breaker bar.  In this case though, the force is applied at two locations, so each hand applies ½ of the force.  If the dimensions and forces are selected correctly, the Moment caused by the lug wrench will exceed that caused by the breaker bar.