Note Torques that would cause a clockwise rotation are consi

Note: Torques that would cause a clockwise rotation are considered negative and torques that would cause a counter-clockwise rotation are considered positive.) A see-saw at a city park is like a giant lever. What is the torque that a 37 kg child produces when is sitting 3.0 m to the right of the fulcrum (pivot point)?

(Note: Torques that would cause a clockwise rotation are considered negative and torques that would cause a counter-clockwise rotation are considered positive.)

A see-saw a city park is like a giant lever.

What is the torque that a 48 kg child produces when is sitting 2.7 to the left of the fulcrum (pivot point)?

Solution

a) Child sitting on right side of the fulcrum produces clockwise torque. Hence the torque is negative.

Torque T = r X mg = 3m X 37 kg X 10 m/s^2 = -1110 N

b) Child sitting on left hand side of the fulcrum produces counter clock wise torque. Hence the troque is posiitve.

Torque T = r x mg = 2.7 m X 48 kg X 10 m/s^2 = + 1296 N