A 4 metre long bar rotates freely around a central pivot. 3 forces act upon it: 7N down, 2m to the left of the pivot; 8N up, 1m to the left of the pivot; 4N up, 1m to the right of the pivot. Apply one additional force to place the bar in equilibrium.

Begin by calculating the current force and moment of the bar.Force: 8+4-7=5 (or vice versa)Moment: 72= 14 Nm anticlockwise 81= 8 Nm clockwise 4*1= 4 Nm anticlockwiseSum calculated moments: 14+4-8=10 (or vice versa, again)Therefore a force of 5N down, placed to produce a 10Nm clockwise moment is required; a force of 5N down, located 2m to the right of the pivot.

MA
Answered by Michael A. Physics tutor

2244 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is resistivity?


A car of mass m is travelling at a speed v around a circular track of radius r banked at an angle θ. (a) What is the centripetal acceleration of the car? (b) What is the normal force acting on the car? (c) If θ = 45°, r = 1 km what is the maximum speed?


How can the average speedx of a gas molecule be derived?


What is the minimum height of a hill, so a ball of mass m falling from it can go through a loop of radius R?


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