A staging that weighs 350 N supports two painters, one 230 N and the other 440 N. The reading in the left scale is Fl = 480 N .What is the reading Fr in the right hand scale?

Answer in units of N

To solve this problem, we can use the principle of equilibrium, which states that the sum of the forces acting on an object must be zero.

Let's start by drawing a free body diagram of the system, including all the forces acting on it:

```
<---- F1 = 230 N
|
|
|
<--- *----> F2 = 440 N
|
|-----------*
Fl = 480 N
Fr = ?
```

Where:
F1 = force exerted by the first painter (230 N)
F2 = force exerted by the second painter (440 N)
Fl = reading on the left scale (480 N)
Fr = reading on the right scale (unknown)

According to the principle of equilibrium, the sum of the forces in the vertical direction must be zero.

Fl + F1 + F2 - Fr = 0

Substituting the given values:

480 N + 230 N + 440 N - Fr = 0

Combine the forces:

1150 N - Fr = 0

Rearrange the equation to solve for Fr:

Fr = 1150 N

Therefore, the reading Fr in the right-hand scale is 1150 N.

To find the reading in the right-hand scale (Fr), we need to use the principle of equilibrium, which states that the sum of all the forces acting on an object at rest is zero (ΣF = 0).

In this case, the vertical forces on the staging should balance each other out. The total force exerted by the two painters is the sum of their weights, which is 230 N + 440 N = 670 N.

The total weight of the staging is 350 N, and according to the principle of equilibrium, this weight should be balanced by the upward force exerted by the left-hand scale (Fl) and the right-hand scale (Fr).

Therefore, we can set up the equation as follows:

Fl + Fr = Weight of the staging

480 N + Fr = 350 N

To find Fr, we can rearrange the equation:

Fr = Weight of the staging - Fl

Fr = 350 N - 480 N

Fr = -130 N (Negative sign indicates that the right-hand scale is reading a force lower than the weight of the staging)

Therefore, the reading in the right-hand scale (Fr) is -130 N.