a child with a mass of 29 kg sits at a distance of 4m from the pivot point of a seesaw. where should a 15 kg child sit to balance the seesaw?

To balance the seesaw, we need to calculate the torque exerted by each child on the seesaw. Torque is the product of the force applied and the perpendicular distance from the pivot point.

First, let's find the torque exerted by the first child. The mass of the first child is 29 kg, and the distance from the pivot point is 4m. We can calculate the torque using the formula:

Torque = Force × Distance

The force can be found by multiplying the mass by the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2):

Force = mass × acceleration due to gravity
Force = 29 kg × 9.8 m/s^2
Force = 284.2 N

Now, we can calculate the torque:

Torque1 = Force1 × Distance1
Torque1 = 284.2 N × 4m
Torque1 = 1136.8 Nm

To balance the seesaw, the torque exerted by the second child must be equal and opposite to the torque exerted by the first child. Let's assume the second child sits at a distance 'x' from the pivot point.

Torque2 = Force2 × Distance2

Since the torque exerted by the first child is 1136.8 Nm, the torque exerted by the second child should also be 1136.8 Nm.

1136.8 Nm = Force2 × x

The mass of the second child is 15 kg, so we can calculate the force:

Force2 = mass2 × acceleration due to gravity
Force2 = 15 kg × 9.8 m/s^2
Force2 = 147 N

Now, we can solve for 'x':

1136.8 Nm = 147 N × x

x = 1136.8 Nm / 147 N
x ≈ 7.73 m

Therefore, the 15 kg child should sit at a distance of approximately 7.73 m from the pivot point to balance the seesaw.

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