Physics A-Level
Couple
What Couple means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of Couple
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Reference: AQA
A pair of equal forces acting in opposite directions along different lines of action, so their resultant force is zero but they still rotate an object.
A pair of equal and opposite parallel forces whose lines of action do not coincide, producing rotation without any resultant translational force.
A pair of equal and opposite coplanar forces whose lines of action are parallel but not the same.
Created because the field exerts opposite forces on the two charged ends of the molecule.
Topics that use Couple
- Moments (AQA A-Level)
- Parallel plate capacitor (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
- Equilibrium (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- Equilibrium conditions
- Free-body diagrams
- Moment
- Moment of a couple
- Moment of a force
- Non-uniform or irregular solid
- Perpendicular distance
- Perpendicular distance between lines of action
Using Couple in the exam
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