A boy (25kg) and a girl (20kg) are playing on a see-saw which is 4m long. If the boy sits 1m from the centre on the left side and the girl 2m from the centre on the other, which direction will the see-saw will rotate around its centre?

Student should calculate the moments about the pivot point (from diagram recognise this is the centre of the see-saw) for each child. Using the equation, moment = mass x acceleration x distance from pivot, with acceleration due to gravity = 9.81m/s^2 The moment for the boy is 25 x 9.81 x 1 = 245.25N anti-clockwise and, the moment for the girl is 20 x 9.81 x 2 = 392.4N clockwise. Therefore, the see-saw will rotate clockwise.

JL
Answered by John L. Physics tutor

2066 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A rocket travels with constant velocity in a straight line in deep space. A ball is thrown from the back to the front (ie from the thrusters to the nose). Describe the path of the ball. Describe the path if the rocket were accelerating along this line.


Why does an α particle cause more ionisation than a β particle if they have the same kinetic energy?


What is the de Broglie wavelength of a dust particle that has a mass of 1e-10 kg and a velocity of 0.05m/s?


2 Capacitors (c1 = 500mf) and (c2=300mf), are connected in parallel to a 10v d.c supply. Calculate the total capacitance of the circuit, and hence the total energy stored in the capacitors.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences