UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN / Department of Physics

PHY1025F Problem Set 04 / Wednesday, 9 March 2022

1. Consider the following mass distribution, where x- and y-coordinates are given in
meters: 5.0 kg at (0.0, 0.0) m, 3.0 kg at (0.0, 4.0) m, and 4.0 kg at (3.0, 0.0) m. Where
should a fourth object of 8.0 kg be placed so that the center of gravity of the four-object
arrangement will be at (0.0, 0.0) m? [Vuille/Serway 8.13]

2. The bolts on the cylinder head of an engine

require tightening to a torque of 95 m·N. (a) If a
wrench is 28 cm long, what force perpendicular to
the wrench must the mechanic exert at its end?
(b) If the six-sided bolt head is 15 mm across (see
figure), estimate the force applied near each of the
six points by a wrench. [Giancoli 7e 8.28]

3. How close to the edge of the 24.0-kg table

shown in the figure can a 66.0-kg person sit
without tipping it over? [Giancoli 7e 9.14]

4. A 4.00-m-long, 500 kg steel beam extends

horizontally from the point where it has been bolted to the framework of the new
building construction. A 70.0 kg construction worker stands at the far end of the beam.
What is the magnitude of the torque about the point where the beam is bolted in place?
[Knight 7.20]

5. A traffic light hangs from a pole as shown. The

uniform aluminum pole AB is 7.20 m long and has a
mass of 12.0 kg. The mass of the traffic light is 21.5
kg. Determine (a) the tension in the horizontal
massless cable CD, and (b) the vertical and
horizontal components of the force exerted by the
pivot A on the aluminum pole. [Giancoli 7e 9.19]

6. Approximately what magnitude force, FM must

the extensor muscle in the upper arm exert on the
lower arm to hold a 7.3-kg shot put? Assume the
lower arm has a mass of 2.3 kg and its CG is 12 cm
from the elbow-joint pivot. [Giancoli 7e 9.31]
Answers

1. (-1.5 m, -1.5 m)
2. (a) 340 N
(b) 1800 N
3. 0.28 m
4. 12500 Nm
5. (a) 410 N
(b) 410 N, 328 N
6. 970 N