# Torque and angular acceleration , moments , counterweight

As mentioned before i am from a mechanical engineering background trying to design a product using counterweight. I was thrown into confusion regarding torque and moment even after doing my own research. The way mechanical engineer termed moment and torque is quite different from how it is defined in physics which confuses me in terms of understanding the concept. I have a few questions so i will try my best to list it down in a more organized way hopefully it can be understood as i'm not very good at phrasing. sorry in advanced.

$$Torque = force \times distance \tag{1}$$

Torque = moment of inertia $$\times$$ angular acceleration $$\tag{2}$$

The torque found in equation 1 can it be subbed into equation 2 and use that to find either moment of inertia or angular acceleration ? or it's a two entire different thing ?

1. I understand that moment of inertia is a calculation for the whole entire system

But how do i translate that understanding to torque = moment of inertia x acceleration . Can it still be done in this way to understand if $$T_1 > T_2$$ , it will turn anti-clockwise?

1. If i were to shift my mass 1 (counterweight) to the right , it will turn clockwise ? In this case i will have to use $$Torque = force \times moment$$ ?

I have done my research and did some experiment and it is seen that the heavier side of the beam ( in this case the right side of the beam ) will start to rotate and will eventually come to a stop at $$90 ^\circ$$ form - heavier side will be directly below the pivot and lighter side will be above the pivot . Why is this so? Is it due to the acceleration ? or am i missing out something?

Sorry i have been thinking about this for days and have tried to sought out some help from my engineering peers. However, we are not taught in-depth regarding torque and most of the time we used the term $$moment = force \times distance$$.