Answer to Question #150562 in Physics for Buju Banton

Question

Two students sit on a seesaw, one student, on the right side of the seesaw, is at 150cm away from the pivot and exerts a force of 320N. The other student is on the opposite side at 120cm and exerts a force of 400N. which side is closer to the ground?

Answer 1

That side is closer to ground, which experiences bigger torque. By definition, torque is:

$$\tau = FL$$

where $F$ is the force, and $L$ is the distance from the pivot. For the right side:

$$\tau_1 = 320N\cdot 1.5m = 480\space N\cdot m$$

For the left side:

$$\tau_2 = 400N\cdot 1.2m = 480\space N\cdot m$$

Since $\tau_1 = \tau_2$, both sides are at the same level (if both students sat on the seesaw simultaneously).

Answer. Same level.