What is the force required to hold a pizza peel level with a pizza on it?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the force required to hold a pizza peel level while it carries a pizza. The peel's dimensions and mass, along with the mass of the pizza, are provided, indicating a focus on torque and equilibrium in a physics context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of torque equations and the role of angles in calculating forces. There is an exploration of combining masses and the implications of pivot points on the calculations. Some participants question the correctness of their formulas and reasoning regarding simple machines and mechanical advantage.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the mechanics of the problem and questioning their own assumptions. Some have suggested writing equations to describe the forces and moments acting on the peel, indicating a productive direction in the exploration of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the need to consider both hands' forces and the equilibrium conditions for the peel, highlighting the complexity of the problem setup and the assumptions involved.

BensonCa
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Homework Statement


A "peel" is a flat, long-handled shovel that a pizzaiolo uses to slide pizzas into and out of an oven. If a peel is 1.7m long and has a mass of 2.4kg and is carrying a pizza of mass 1.1kg as shown, what force must the pizzaiolo apply with his forward hand to hold the peel level?
upload_2015-12-20_19-37-37.png


2. Homework Equations
Torque= rFsin0


The Attempt at a Solution


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I tried solving this multiple ways, combining the mass 2.4kg + 1.1kg = 3.4kg or adding Fgrav =34.3kg sin theta= 0 since the force applied is up and the only other acting force is gravity which is down, however I also noticed that the position of the pivot (where we hold the shovel is to the right of the mass therefore the sin theta could also equal one and I tried with both of these equations and no success
 
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In your formula for Torque, θ is the angle between the lever arm -- the pivot to where the force is applied, and the downward force produced by gravity on the objects. Like you noticed, if θ=0, everything becomes zero and the math gives you nothing useful.
 
Well I was completely wrong on this entire formula, so this is what I have found out.

the correct area that this belongs to is dealing with the concept of simple machines. MA= li/lo and li Fi= lo Fo
Fi= input force
Fo= output force
li= input lever
lo= output lever

ok so for this problem I did

Fi= (3.5kg combined mass) (9.8g) 0.3(pivot)/1.7(length) =6.05N; then (3.5kg) (9.8g)-6.05N= 28.25N and MA=5.7 (li/lo) though something is wrong here but I'm not sure where I went wrong
 
In order to hold the peel in equilibrium, the ∑F = 0 and the ∑M = 0 on the peel. The Pizzaiolo must apply forces with both hands to keep the peel from flipping, but the problem asks only what force he must apply with his forward hand. Think of this forward hand as the fulcrum and the peel as a lever. See if you can write some equations which describe this situation.
 

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