Question

A 60 kg student stands on a very light, rigid board that rests on a bathroom scale at each end as shown in (Figure 1).Part AWhat is the reading on the left scale?Express your answer to two significant figures in newtons.Part BWhat is the reading on the right scale?Express your answer in newtons.

Answer 1

Load on the left side = FL

Load on the right side = FR

Longer length = L1= 2m

Shorter length =L2 = 1.5m

Acceleration due to gravity =9.8m/s^2

mass = 60 kg

Left side moments:

FL = mg (L1-L2) / L1 = 60*9.8 (2-1.5) / 2= 147 N

Right Side moment:

FR = mg (L2) / L1 = 60*9.8 *2 /1.5 = 784N