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

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving a lever system, specifically using tweezers to apply force while avoiding damage to a wood sliver. Participants explore concepts related to mechanical advantage, static equilibrium, and the application of force in a lever system.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the problem's solvability due to a lack of information regarding the application point of the force.
  • Another participant identifies the tweezers as a pair of levers and questions the location of the fulcrum.
  • Some participants agree that the tweezers can be modeled as two third-class levers but note the insufficient information to determine where the force is applied.
  • A suggestion is made to assume that the technician aims to apply exactly 1/5 lb of force to the sliver, despite it not being explicitly stated in the problem.
  • Participants discuss the classification of the 1/5 lb force as the resistance force or load.
  • One participant claims to have calculated the actual mechanical advantage (AMA) as 1/5 and the necessary distance from the fulcrum as 4/5 of an inch, seeking validation of this result.
  • Responses indicate agreement with the calculated values presented by the participant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the classification of forces and the mechanical advantage calculations, but there remains uncertainty regarding the initial conditions of the problem and the application of force.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about the application point of the force and the definitions of the forces involved, which are not fully detailed in the problem statement.

MACHO-WIMP
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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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