Can a 66kg Person Sit on a 24kg Table Without Tipping?

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A 66kg person can sit on a 24kg table without tipping as long as their center of mass remains within the table's base. The discussion clarifies that when calculating torque, the normal reaction force from the farther support is considered zero at the tipping point. Tipping occurs when the resultant reaction force from the table's legs aligns with the edge of the base, causing the table to pivot. The conversation emphasizes that the table will not tip until this critical point is reached. Understanding these dynamics is essential for solving the physics problem accurately.
ajcoelho
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This is a very well known physics problem and i already know how to solve it.

How close to the edge of a 24kg table can a 66kg person sit without tipping it over?

I think everybody can see the table and what's happening in there.

MY QUESTION IS:

Why don't we use the normal reaction due to the farther suportting?? I mean, when we calculate total torque about one supporting, we still have the other support in which there's a reaction force ating. And i think this force is as legitimate as the gravity forces of the table and person...

I would be really glad with any answer trying to explain why is this approximation made or if I'm completely wrong in my reasoning!

Take care!
 
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hi ajcoelho! :smile:
ajcoelho said:
Why don't we use the normal reaction due to the farther suportting??

because it's zero! :biggrin:

so long as the total reaction force from the floor (the resultant of the reaction forces from the four legs) goes through the base of the table (the rectangle with the legs at the corners), the table will not tip

the table will only start to tip when the resultant reaction force goes through the edge of the base

when that happens, the individual reaction forces through the farther legs will be zero :wink:
 
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tiny-tim said:
the table will only start to tip when the resultant reaction force goes through the edge of the base


when you say edge of the base you're referring to the supporting that has become a "pivot"?
 
yes, when the reaction force reaches the edge, the tip will start about that edge as pivot :smile:
 
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