Final answer:
Yes, it is possible for children to balance a seesaw even when their weights are not equal. When two children balance a seesaw, the heavier child sits closer to the pivot (fulcrum), while the lighter child sits farther from the pivot. This positioning creates a torque, or turning effect, that balances the weights.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, it is possible for children to balance a seesaw even when their weights are not equal.
When two children balance a seesaw, the heavier child sits closer to the pivot (fulcrum), while the lighter child sits farther from the pivot. This positioning creates a torque, or turning effect, that balances the weights.
It is the lever arm, or the distance between the pivot and the point where an applied force is exerted, that allows for the balancing of unequal weights on a seesaw.
For example, if a heavier child sits closer to the fulcrum, the distance between the pivot and the applied force is shorter. To balance the seesaw, a lighter child needs to sit farther from the fulcrum, which increases the distance between the pivot and the applied force. This creates an equilibrium, allowing the seesaw to balance even with unequal weights.