a sea saw consist of a uniform bar 4m long and of mass 2kg. a boy of weight 42N sits at end of the sea saw while another boy of weight 38N sits at the end of the season. at what point must the season be pivoted if it is to balance. according to physics
well, you know that
m1 * d1 = m2 * d2
but don't forget the mass of the seesaw on each side of the fulcrum.
You don't say whether or not the fulcrum is in the center, but it usually is for a seesaw.
The only remaining question is: what the heck is a season?
I wanted to say seesaw sorry
A seesaw is like a swing which the children use in the school
To determine the point at which the seesaw must be pivoted in order to balance, we need to consider the torque acting on the seesaw.
Torque (τ) is defined as the product of the force (F) and the perpendicular distance (r) from the force's line of action to the pivot point. Mathematically, it can be expressed as τ = F × r.
In this case, the torque acting on the seesaw can be calculated separately for each boy sitting at the ends.
For the boy with a weight of 42N:
Torque1 = F1 × r1 = 42N × x, where x is the distance from the pivot to the boy.
For the boy with a weight of 38N:
Torque2 = F2 × r2 = 38N × (4m - x), where (4m - x) is the distance from the pivot to the other boy.
Since the seesaw is in equilibrium, the sum of the torques acting on it must be zero. Therefore, we can set up the equation:
Torque1 + Torque2 = 0
42N × x + 38N × (4m - x) = 0
Simplifying the equation further:
42N × x + 38N × 4m - 38N × x = 0
4N × x + 38N × 4m = 0
4N × x = -38N × 4m
x = - (38N × 4m) / 4N
x = -38m
Since distance cannot be negative, the negative sign indicates that the point of pivot is on the side where the 38N boy sits. So, the seesaw must be pivoted at a distance of 38m from the boy with a weight of 42N.
Note: It is important to keep track of the signs and directions while solving torque problems. The negative sign in the calculation indicates a direction opposite to the assumed direction.