A diver of mass 60kg stands on the end of a diving board of length 2m from the pivot point. Calculate the upward force exerted on the retaining spring 30cm from the pivot point.

This question is asking about forces acting around a pivot point, so we can use the formula for the moment M = F*D about the pivot point. The clockwise and anticlockwise moments around the pivot must be equal, otherwise the diving board would start rotating. The clockwise moment would be the weight of the man, his mass * g , roughly equal to 600 N (if g is about 10), multiplied by the distance from the pivot point, 2m. This equals 1200 Nm. This balances the anticlockwise moment, which is the distance from the pivot point, 0.3 m, multiplied by the upwards force (tension). We find the force by dividing both sides by 0.3m, to determine an answer of 4000 N.

LG

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Two cars start at point A. Car 1 moves in a direction at 5 m/s. After 10 seconds car 2 accelerates in the same direction as car 1 at 2m/s^2. At what time after car 1 starts moving and distance from A does car 2 pass car 1?


Give the definition simple harmonic motion and write down the defining equation for such motion stating the meaning of any symbols involved.


An electron falling from one energy level to another emits a photon of wavelength 550nm. What is the difference between the two energy levels?


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?