Moment of a Force: How to Find an Unknown Force on a Pivoted Metre Stick

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A metre stick is pivoted at the 50cm mark and is in equilibrium with a 2.0N upward force at the 5.0cm mark and a 12N downward force at the 40cm mark. The unknown force F is applied at the 75cm mark. Calculating the moments, the resultant moment from the left forces is -0.3 Nm, requiring a positive moment from force F to maintain equilibrium. The correct calculation shows that force F should equal 2N, confirming that it acts 0.15m from the pivot. The discussion highlights the importance of accurately assessing distances from the pivot point in torque calculations.
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Homework Statement


A metre stick is pivoted at 50cm and is in equilibrium.
There is a 2.0N upwards force at the 5.0cm mark, and a 12N downwards force at the 40cm mark. Force F acts at the 75cm mark. Find force F. Assume the upwards direction is positive.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



The leftmost upwards force: 2 x 0.45 = 0.9 Nm (as the force would be 45cm from the pivot)
The leftmost downwards force: 12 x 0.1 = 1.2 Nm
Resultant leftmost force: 0.9 - 1.2 = -0.3 Nm

Force F acts 0.15 m from the pivot, therefore: F x 0.15 m = 0.3 Nm. (resultant would be positive in order to counterbalance).
Rearranging for F, 0.3/0.15 = 2 N. The programme marks this as incorrect.
 
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Rumplestiltskin said:
A metre stick is pivoted at 50cm and is in equilibrium.
Force F acts at the 75cm mark.
Force F acts 0.15 m from the pivot
See anything strange going on there?
 
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Fightfish said:
See anything strange going on there?

Nope. The stick is pivoted at 0.5m. If the force acts at the 0.75m mark, it is acting 0.15m away from the pivot.

EDIT: Ugh, I'm an idiot. Thanks!
 
Rumplestiltskin said:
Nope. The stick is pivoted at 0.5m. If the force acts at the 0.75m mark, it is acting 0.15m away from the pivot.
EDIT: Ugh, I'm an idiot. Thanks!
Haha, when I saw your reply earlier without the edit, I was like, "huh"? xD
 
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