Answer to Question #265333 in Physics for Gel an

Question

Eight boys are equally spaced about a pushball and each exerts a force upon it toward the center, as shown. Each boy in position 1, 3, and 7 exerts a force of 70 N, and the rest of the boys exert 50 N each. What force is needed to keep the ball at rest? *

Answer 1

Draw the situation:

All forces are balanced except 1 and 5, so, a force of 20 N is required in the direction of force 5.