Calculating Normal Forces on a Wooden Stick Supported by Two Chairs

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the normal forces acting on a wooden stick supported by two chairs, one must consider the stick's mass and the distances from each chair to the ends of the stick. The problem is approached through static equilibrium, requiring a free body diagram to visualize forces. The gravitational force acting on the stick contributes to the normal forces from both chairs, with the left chair's force decreasing due to the right chair's force. Applying the equations of static equilibrium will yield the expressions for the normal forces. A clear understanding of the lever principle is essential for solving this problem accurately.
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Homework Statement


An ##D## meter long wooden stick with a mass of ##M## is placed on two chairs of neglegible lenght. The left is ##L## meters from the left end and the right is ##X## meters from the right end. Find the expression for the both Normal forces that act from the chairs.

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The Attempt at a Solution


I am guessing i should begin by noting that the lever that acts on the right, mainly the gravitational force times x is adding to the normal and the left is lowering it right?
 
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Your attempt doesn't make sense, was there a diagram?

Anyway, this is a static equilibrium problem, so draw a complete free body diagram and then apply the equations of static equilibrium.
 
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