A staging that weighs Wstaging supports a painter weighing 160 N. The reading on the left scale is 700 N and the reading on the right scale is 620 N.
700 N 620 N
What is the weight of the staging? Answer in units of N
To find the weight of the staging, we need to balance the forces on the staging.
On the left side, the reading on the scale is 700 N. On the right side, the reading on the scale is 620 N. The weight of the painter is 160 N.
Let's calculate the net force acting on the staging:
Net force = Reading on the left scale - Reading on the right scale
= 700 N - 620 N
= 80 N
Since the weight of the painter is acting in the opposite direction of the net force, we need to subtract it as well:
Net force = Net force - Weight of painter
= 80 N - 160 N
= -80 N
The negative sign indicates that the net force is acting in the opposite direction. Therefore, the weight of the staging can be calculated as the magnitude of the net force:
Weight of the staging = |-80 N|
= 80 N
Therefore, the weight of the staging is 80 N.
To find the weight of the staging (Wstaging), we can use the principle of equilibrium. In equilibrium, the sum of all the forces acting on an object is zero.
In this case, we have three forces acting on the staging: the weight of the painter (160 N), the reading on the left scale (700 N), and the reading on the right scale (620 N).
We can set up an equation using the principle of equilibrium:
Wstaging + 160 N - 700 N + 620 N = 0
Simplifying the equation, we have:
Wstaging + 80 N = 0
To isolate Wstaging, we can move 80 N to the other side of the equation by subtracting it:
Wstaging = -80 N
The weight of the staging is -80 N, assuming the negative sign indicates a downward force.