Question

A cat walks along a plank with mass M= 6.00 kg. The plank is supported by two sawhorses. The center of mass of the plank is a distance d1= 0.850 m to the left of sawhorse B. When the cat is a distance d2= 1.11 m to the right of sawhorse B, the plank just begins to tip.

If the cat has a mass of 2.9 kg, how far to the right of sawhorse B can it walk before the plank begins to tip?

Answer 1

d₂ = 1.466 m

Step-by-step explanation:

In this case we must use the rotational equilibrium equations

Στ = 0

τ = F r

we must set a reference system, we use with origin at the easel B and an axis parallel to the plank , we will use that the counterclockwise ratio is positive

+ W d₁ - w_cat d₂ = 0

d₂ = W / w d₁

d₂ = M /m d₁

d₂ = 5.00 /2.9 0.850

d₂ = 1.466 m