Question

How to calculate moments with 3 separate weights of different amounts at different points?

200N 100N 300N
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<---------------2M----------------> /_\ <---------------2M-------------->
<-------1M--------->
what would the moments be?

Answer 1

To calculate moments, multiply each force by its distance from the pivot and add them considering direction to find the net moment. Use the principle of moments for equilibrium.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate moments with three separate weights at different points, you need to use the principle of moments, which states that for a system to be in equilibrium, the sum of the clockwise moments must be equal to the sum of the counterclockwise moments around a pivot point. The moment of a force about a point is calculated by multiplying the magnitude of the force by the perpendicular distance from the point to the line of action of the force. For example, if you have a 200N weight at 2m from the pivot, the moment is 400 Nm (200N x 2m). Repeat this calculation for each weight and then sum them considering their directions to find the total moment.

Example Calculation:
Moment from 200N at 2m = 200N x 2m = 400 Nm
Moment from 100N at 1m = 100N x 1m = 100 Nm
Moment from 300N at 4m (2m + 2m) = 300N x 4m = 1200 Nm

Then you would add or subtract these moments based on their direction to find the net moment about the pivot point.

Answer 2

I don't completely understand your drawing, although I can see that you certainly
did put a lot of effort into making it. But calculating the moment is easy, and we
can get along without the drawing.

Each separate weight has a 'moment'.
The moment of each weight is:

(the weight of it) x (its distance from the pivot/fulcrum) .

That's all there is to a 'moment'.

The lever (or the see-saw) is balanced when (the sum of all the moments
on one side) is equal to (the sum of the moments on the other side).

That's why when you're on the see-saw with a little kid, the little kid has to sit
farther away from the pivot than you do. The kid has less weight than you do,
so he needs more distance in order for his moment to be equal to yours.