How many times further away from the pivot point of a seesaw does someone of double the weight have to sit in order for the it to balance?

Sum of moments in equilibrium must equal 0. The sum of clockwise moments must equal the sum of anticlockwise moments. W1 is the force exerted on the seesaw by the heavy person at distance D1 from the pivot and W2 is the force exerted by the lighter person at distance D2 from the pivot. Moment = perpendicular distance * forceW1 = 2 * W2Therefore, in order for the system to be in equilibrium, W1D1 = W2D2. Rewritten as 2W2D1 = W2D2.W2 cancels out and we are left with the ratio of distances from the people to the pivot point, D1/D2 = 1/2

RM
Answered by River M. Physics tutor

2737 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Insulating a home costs £2000 and saves £50 a year. What is the payback time?


What is nuclear fusion?


Imagine a probe in space. Argon gas can be fired from the probes fuel tanks to propel the probe. Discuss whether conservation of momentum applies and whether the speed of the probe increases.


Why protons held together in the nucleus?


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning