Worksheet in Torque and Equilibrium

1. What can you say about the velocity of a moving body that is in dynamic equilibrium? Draw a
sketch of such a body using clearly labeled arrows to represent all external forces on the body.

Ans. – The sum of the forces acting on a body which is in a dynamic equilibrium is zero.
Therefore, the body experiences no acceleration. As a result, its velocity does not change. Thus,
the body which is in dynamic equilibrium moves with a constant velocity, both direction and
magnitude.

Below is a diagram representing the forces.

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v
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F
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W
2. Under what conditions can a rotating body be in equilibrium? Give an example.

Ans.

3. Explain why the forces in our joints are several times larger than the forces we exert on the
outside world with our limbs. Can these forces be even greater than muscle forces?
The reason is clear once we realize that most muscles are attached to bones via tendons close
to joints, causing these systems to have mechanical advantages much less than one.
4. Three (3) masses are attached to a uniform meter stick, as shown in figure below. The mass
of the meter stick is 150.0 g and the masses to the left of the fulcrum are m1 = 50.0 g and m2 =
75.0 g. Find the mass m3 =? that balances the system when it is attached at the right end of
the stick, and the normal reaction force at the fulcrum when the system is balanced.

m3=r1/r3m1+r2/r3m2+r/r3m=70/30(50.0g)+40/30(75.0g)+20/30(150.0g)=316.0 2/3g≃317g.

To find the normal reaction force, we rearrange the terms in Equation 12.18, converting grams to
kilograms:

FS=(m1+m2+m+m3)g=(50.0+75.0+150.0+316.7)×10−3kg×9.8ms2=5.8N.FS=(m1+m2+m
+m3)g=(50.0+75.0+150.0+316.7)×10−3kg×9.8ms2=5.8N.

5. A uniform plank rests on a level surface as shown below. The plank has a mass of 30 kg and is
6.0 m long. How much mass can be placed at its right end before it tips? (Hint: When the board
is about to tip over, it makes contact with the surface only along the edge that becomes a
momentary axis of rotation.)
6. Weights of 500, 600, and 700 N are placed on a platform resting on two supports A and B as
shown in the figure below. What are the forces exerted by the support A and support B?
Assuming that the weight of platform is 400 N and total length of platform is 20m.

10 m

16 m

A B