Question

A force couple consists of a ___________.

Answer 1

1. Two non-collinear forces equal in magnitude, opposite in direction, and separated by some distance constitute a “force-couple”.
2. Since the two forces are equal and opposite in direction, therefore the net force will be equal to zero.
3. A force couple acting on a body tends to rotate the body.
4. Below is the diagram of a force-couple in which the two non-collinear, equal, and opposite forces represented by F are separated by a distance d.

5. The magnitude of the couple or moment of the couple, $M=F\times d$

6. The moment of the couple is also called “torque”.

7. A steering wheel shown below is one of the common examples of a force couple.

Hence, a force couple consists of a pair of equal and opposite forces separated by some distance.