Solving a Lever System Problem: Force, Fulcrum, & Equilibrium

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The discussion revolves around a problem involving a pair of tweezers used as a lever system by a medical technician. Participants analyze how to determine the fulcrum's position and the mechanical advantage of the tweezers while ensuring that the force applied does not exceed 1/5 lb to avoid breaking the wood sliver. It is clarified that the 1/5 lb force is the resistance force, and calculations suggest that the actual mechanical advantage is 1/5, with a necessary distance of 4/5 of an inch from the fulcrum. The conversation confirms the accuracy of these calculations and emphasizes the importance of understanding lever mechanics in practical applications. Overall, the thread effectively addresses the problem's requirements and calculations.
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The problem in my packet says, "A medical technician uses a pair of four inch longtweezers to remove a wood sliver from a patient. The technician is applying one pound of squeezing force to the tweezers. If more than 1/5 lb of force is applied to the silver, it will break and become difficult to remove.

a. Sketch and annotate the lever system described above.
b. What is the actual mechanical advantage of the system?
c. Using static equilibrium calculations, calculate how far from the fulcrum the tweezers must be held to avoid damaging the sliver. "

I don't understand how this problem can be done or if there is enough information to solve.
 
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Hint: Tweezers can be considered a kind of lever. (Actually a pair of levers.) Where's the fulcrum?
 
I know it's two 3rd class levers, but I don't think there is enough information to solve, because it doesn't say where the pound of force is applied
 
MACHO-WIMP said:
I know it's two 3rd class levers, but I don't think there is enough information to solve, because it doesn't say where the pound of force is applied
You should be able to figure where it's applied, so as to produce a 1/5 pound force at the tips. Make the assumption that the technician wants to apply exactly that much force to the sliver. (Though it's true that it doesn't state that.)
 
So would the 1/5 lb of force be considered the resistance force?
 
MACHO-WIMP said:
So would the 1/5 lb of force be considered the resistance force?
Yes, the load or resistance force.
 
If my math is right, I got AMA=1/5 and the distance needed to be held is 4/5 of an inch. Does that sound about right?
 
MACHO-WIMP said:
If my math is right, I got AMA=1/5 and the distance needed to be held is 4/5 of an inch. Does that sound about right?
Sounds good to me.
 
Doc Al said:
Sounds good to me.

Thanks a lot man. You were a big help.
 
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