Question

Place 4N worth of force 0.2m from the fulcrum. Where would you have to place 2N to balance the lever?

a) 0.4m from the fulcrum
b) 0.1m from the fulcrum
c) 0.2m from the fulcrum
d) 0.3m from the fulcrum

Answer 1

To balance a 4N force placed 0.2m from the fulcrum on a lever, you would need to place a 2N force at 0.4m from the fulcrum to achieve the same torque and maintain balance, which is answer choice (a).

Step-by-step explanation:

To balance a lever, the torques on each side of the fulcrum must be equal. Torque is calculated by multiplying the force by the distance from the fulcrum (Torque = Force x Distance). With 4N of force at 0.2m from the fulcrum, we have a torque of 0.8Nm (4N x 0.2m). To balance this with 2N, we need to find a distance that results in the same torque:

Torque = Force x Distance
0.8 Nm (from 4N force) = 2N x Distance

Solving for the distance:

Distance = 0.8 Nm / 2N = 0.4m

Thus, you would have to place 2N to balance the lever at 0.4m from the fulcrum. Therefore, the correct answer is (a) 0.4m from the fulcrum.