Calculate the individual torques produced by the weights of the girl and boy on the see-saw in the figure above, given that Wgirl = 310 N and Wboy = 620 N and the length of the see-saw being 6m.
To calculate the individual torques produced by the weights of the girl and boy on the see-saw, we need to use the formula for torque. Torque (τ) is calculated by multiplying the force applied (F) by the perpendicular distance (r) from the pivot point to the line of action of the force:
τ = F * r
In this case, the force is the weight of the girl and the boy, and the perpendicular distance is the length of the see-saw.
Let's calculate the torque produced by the girl's weight first:
Force (Fgirl) = Wgirl (weight of the girl) = 310 N
Perpendicular distance (r) = 6 m (length of the see-saw)
τgirl = Fgirl * r = 310 N * 6 m = 1860 N·m
So, the torque produced by the girl's weight is 1860 N·m.
Now let's calculate the torque produced by the boy's weight:
Force (Fboy) = Wboy (weight of the boy) = 620 N
Perpendicular distance (r) = 6 m (length of the see-saw)
τboy = Fboy * r = 620 N * 6 m = 3720 N·m
So, the torque produced by the boy's weight is 3720 N·m.
Therefore, the individual torques produced by the weights of the girl and boy on the see-saw are 1860 N·m and 3720 N·m, respectively.