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Lula Belle
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on a see saw when one person weighs much more than the other, does the heavier person need to move closer to the fulcrum to balance out the weight?
Lula Belle said:I am so sorry to ask such a dumb question. I have a medical condition which prevents me from being able to figure things out as well as I used to. Please forgive me.
Lula Belle said:I am so sorry to ask such a dumb question. I have a medical condition which prevents me from being able to figure things out as well as I used to. Please forgive me.
A see-saw balance works by utilizing the principles of leverage and balance. The heavy person on one side of the fulcrum provides a greater weight, while the lighter person on the other side provides a smaller weight but is positioned further away from the fulcrum. This creates an unequal distribution of weight, causing the see-saw to tilt towards the heavier person. As the heavier person goes down, the lighter person goes up, and vice versa, creating a back-and-forth motion.
The fulcrum acts as the pivot point or point of support for the see-saw. It is typically placed at the center of the see-saw and allows for the see-saw to rotate around it. Without a fulcrum, the see-saw would not be able to balance and would simply fall to the ground.
This is due to the principle of leverage. The heavy person is positioned closer to the fulcrum, which means their weight is exerted over a shorter distance. The lighter person, on the other hand, is positioned further away from the fulcrum, which means their weight is exerted over a longer distance. This creates an unequal distribution of weight, causing the see-saw to tilt towards the heavier person.
Yes, it is possible for a see-saw to balance with two people of equal weight. However, the placement of the people on the see-saw must be carefully adjusted so that they are positioned at equal distances from the fulcrum. This ensures that the weight on both sides is balanced, and the see-saw remains level.
The distance of the fulcrum from the center of the see-saw affects the balance by changing the amount of leverage exerted by each person. A fulcrum placed closer to one end of the see-saw will give that side a greater advantage and cause it to go down, while the other side will go up. By moving the fulcrum closer or further away from the center, the see-saw can be balanced or tilted in favor of one side.