Ann and Bob play on a uniform seesaw. The seesaw is 4m long and Ann and Bob weigh 600N and 800N respectively. If both Ann and Bob start at one end of the seesaw and Bob starts to walk up the seesaw at 2m/s, after how long will the seesaw turn?

(expect a diagram of a uniform seesaw with a pivot in the middle, infered from the question)

For the seesaw to turn, Bob must create a greater Moment than Ann.

Moment = Force * Perpedicular distance to pivot

Ann's Moment = 600N * 2m = 1200Nm

Calculate the point at which the moments are equal:

Bob's Moment = 800N * Xm = 1200Nm

solve to find X = 1.5m.

Therefore Bob must have travelled 3.5m.

Use of Speed = Distance / Time, rearanged to Time = Distance / Speed, to find time, t:

t = 3.5m / 2m/s = 1.75s.

AS
Answered by Angus S. Physics tutor

3468 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

pressure = 2.3 × 10^5 Pa temperature= 200K. At a constant volume, when the temperature increases to 300K what is the pressure in Pa?


How do you calculate the total resistance of two resistors, R1 and R2, when they are in series and when they are in parallel?


A car of mass 1000 kg is travelling at 20 (m/s). The car crashes into a tree, and comes to a complete halt in 0.05s. Calculate the force acting on the car during the collision.


Why do airbags make a car safer


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning