A uniform beam 6.0 m long and of mass 25 kg rests on supports at its two ends.
Contributed by StemPy LabTry it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
A uniform beam long and of mass rests on supports at its two ends. A load sits from the left end. Taking , find the push of each support.
Need a reminder? The key ideaShow
A rigid body is in equilibrium when the net force is zero and the net torque about every point is zero. Take torques about a point where an unknown force acts, so that it drops out.
The worked solution
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Given. Beam's weight at ; load at .
Step 1. Torques about the left end. , so .
Step 2. Forces. .
Answer: Left ; right .
Check. Torques about the right end: . Same.
Watch out. The beam's own weight acts at its middle; do not forget it.
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