Question

Deepta and Abhinav, who have weights of 450N and 350N respectively, are playing on a seesaw. Deepta is sitting at a distance of 2cm from the fulcrum. In order to balance Deepta, how far should Abhinav be seated?

Answer 1

In order to balance Deepta on the seesaw, Abhinav should sit approximately 2.57cm from the fulcrum. This is calculated by using the principle of moments, where the product of the weight and distance from the fulcrum for each participant should be equal.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of the seesaw, the law of physics known as the principle of moments or torques is applied. This principle states that for a system to be in equilibrium (or to be stable and balanced in this case), the clockwise moments should be equal to the counter-clockwise moments.

Here, Deepta, with a weight of 450N is sitting 2cm or 0.02m away from the fulcrum. The moment due to Deepta's weight is the product of her weight and her distance from the fulcrum, which is 450N * 0.02m = 9Nm.

Abhinav with a weight of 350N should sit at a point where his weight times the distance from the fulcrum equals to the moment on the other side. Hence, let's denote his distance as x(m). We then have 350N * x = 9Nm. Solving for x gives us x = 9Nm / 350N = 0.0257m or 2.57cm.

Therefore, to balance Deepta, Abhinav should sit approximately 2.57cm away from the fulcrum.

Learn more about the Principle of Moments