Question

The two children shown in the figure below are balanced on a seesaw of negligible mass. The first child has a mass of 25.3 kg and sits 1.49 m from the pivot. The second child has a mass of 33.7 kg and sits 1.12 m from the pivot. Use the second condition for equilibrium (net τ = 0) to calculate Fp, the supporting force (in N) exerted by the pivot. (Enter the magnitude.)

Answer 1

To calculate the supporting force exerted by the pivot in the seesaw, we can use the second condition for equilibrium. Set the torques exerted by the first and second child equal to each other to solve for Fp.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the supporting force (Fp) exerted by the pivot in the seesaw, we can use the second condition for equilibrium, which states that the net torque (τ) must be equal to zero. In this case, the torque exerted by the first child is equal to the torque exerted by the second child. The formula for torque is τ = force × distance.

For the first child, the torque is (25.3 kg) × g × (1.49 m), where g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²). For the second child, the torque is (33.7 kg) × g × (1.12 m). Since the torques are equal, we can set them equal to each other and solve for Fp:

(25.3 kg) × g × (1.49 m) = (33.7 kg) × g × (1.12 m)

Simplifying the equation:

25.3 × 1.49 = 33.7 × 1.12

Solving for Fp:

Fp = (33.7 × 1.12) / 1.49 = 25.238 ± 0.051 N