How to Achieve Mechanical Equilibrium on a Seesaw

How can a boy and a girl achieve balance on a seesaw?

In a scenario where a boy (mass = 50 kg) and a girl (mass = 40 kg) are playing on a seesaw, how can they ensure that the seesaw is balanced?

Answer:

The boy should sit 4 m from the pivot for the seesaw to balance, as the torques exerted by the boy and the girl must be equal for mechanical equilibrium.

When dealing with a seesaw and striving for mechanical equilibrium, it is essential to understand the concept of torque. Torque is the measure of the force that can cause an object to rotate around an axis, such as the pivot point of a seesaw.

In this particular scenario, the boy and the girl have different masses, which means their torques exerted on the seesaw are also different. For the seesaw to be balanced, these torques need to be equal.

The girl has a mass of 40 kg and is sitting 5 m from the pivot. By multiplying her mass by her distance from the pivot (40 kg * 5 m), we get her torque value, which is 200 kg*m. In order for the seesaw to balance, the boy's torque value must also be 200 kg*m.

Since the boy's mass is 50 kg, we can calculate the distance he should sit from the pivot by dividing the total torque needed (200 kg*m) by his mass (50 kg). Therefore, the boy needs to sit 4 meters away from the pivot to achieve mechanical equilibrium.

By following this principle of balancing torques, the boy and the girl can enjoy playing on the seesaw without one side being heavier than the other, creating a fun and safe experience for both.