A lever has a 9-N load 1.5m from the fulcrum. Where should a 0.5N effort force be applied to balance the load?

636

To find where the 0.5N effort force should be applied to balance the 9-N load on the lever, we can use the principle of moments or torque. Torque is calculated by multiplying the force applied by the distance from the fulcrum.

In this case, we have a 9-N load that is 1.5m away from the fulcrum. Let's call this distance "d1".

We need to find another distance, "d2," where the 0.5N effort force should be applied to make the lever balanced.

The principle of moments states that the sum of the clockwise moments must be equal to the sum of the counterclockwise moments for a lever to be in equilibrium.

In this case, since the lever is required to be balanced, the clockwise and counterclockwise moments must cancel each other out.

The counterclockwise moment can be calculated as the effort force (0.5 N) multiplied by the distance "d2." So, it is 0.5N x d2.

The clockwise moment is the product of the 9-N load and the distance from the fulcrum (1.5m). So, it is 9N x 1.5m.

To balance the lever, the clockwise and counterclockwise moments must be equal: 9N x 1.5m = 0.5N x d2.

Now, we can solve for "d2" by rearranging the equation:

0.5N x d2 = 9N x 1.5m

Divide both sides of the equation by 0.5N:

d2 = (9N x 1.5m) / 0.5N

Simplify the equation:

d2 = (9 x 1.5) m

d2 = 13.5 m

Therefore, the 0.5N effort force should be applied 13.5 meters away from the fulcrum in order to balance the 9-N load on the lever.