Question

Two children are balanced on a seesaw, but one child weighs twice as much as the other child. The heavier child is sitting half as far from the pivot as is the lighter child. Since the seesaw is balanced, the heavier child is exerting on the seesaw:_______.

a. a force that is less than the force the lighter child is exerting.
b. a force that is equal in amount but oppositely directed to the force the lighter child is exerting.

Answer 1

B. A force that is equal in amount but oppositely directed to the force the lighter child is exerting.

Step-by-step explanation:

If they are sitting at the same distance away from the pivot yet the seesaw is balanced, the only conclusion is the heavier child is exerting a lower force. This causes the pivot exertion and balances to be equal. The equilibrium of the pivot-seesaw is not affected by the weight because of force exertion.