A 26kg child sits at one end of a 3.6m long seesaw. Where should her 64kg father sit so the center of mass will be at the center of the seesaw?
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The child is 1.8 m from the middle and this creates a torque = 26 * 1.8
The father must create the reverse torque.
hence 64 * X = 26 * 1.8
Solve for X
The father must create the reverse torque.
hence 64 * X = 26 * 1.8
Solve for X
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You need to match the torque on both sides: weight X distance = weight X distance so, 26 X 3.6 = 64 X unknown would give: 1.4625 ~ 1.5m
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(26 x 1.8)/64 = 0.73125m., or 73.125cm.