Force required to level out a bookshelf with weights on it

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SUMMARY

Leif and Paige are tasked with holding a 2kg bookshelf level while a 5.0 kg stack of books is positioned 0.2 m from Leif. To maintain static equilibrium, the net force and net torque must equal zero. Leif must exert a force of 50 N upwards, while Paige must exert 10 N upwards. A free body diagram is essential for visualizing the forces at play in this scenario.

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Homework Statement



Leif and Paige are rearranging the heights of their movable bookshelves; they remove one of the 2kg, 0.6 m long shelves by the two of them holding opposite ends. A 5.0 kg stack of books is piled up on the shelf 0.2 m from Leif. How much force must Leif and Paige each exert to hold the shelf level?

Homework Equations



F = ma

The Attempt at a Solution



F = 1 * 5 * 10
F = 50 N up from Leif

F = 10 N up from Paige

I don't know how to calculate the mass in

Help please, i need like step by step help please, i don't think very good thanks
 
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the system you describe is in static equilibrium.

conditions for static equilibrium are:
net force = 0
net torque = 0

there are four forces acting here, it will help to draw a free body diagram for this problem.
 

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