Where Does a Bar on a Fulcrum First Tip When a Person Walks Across It?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the mechanics of a bar on a fulcrum and the conditions for tipping when a person walks across it. Key points include the necessity of accurately representing all forces acting on the bar, particularly the reaction forces at points A and C. The fulcrum at point C plays a critical role in maintaining balance, as it restricts movement except for rotation. Understanding the maximum distance a person can walk without tipping the bar is essential for solving the problem.

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This discussion is beneficial for physics students, mechanical engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of balance and tipping in physical systems.

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Homework Statement
We have a 4-meter-long uniform bar weighing 100 kg, and a person weighing 75 kg is walking across it. The statement specifies a stationary point C situated 2.5 meters away from the origin where the bar can rotate. The question is: 'What distance can this person move away while keeping the bar in equilibrium?'
Relevant Equations
I believe that I should set all torques equal to 0 and forces too but I don't know How to draw this specific Free body Diagram. On the other hand I don't know why I need point C.
So here is my equations:
Ra = reaction in A
Rx = reaction in person
Wb = bar's weight
Wp = Person's weight

Forces:
Ra+Rx+Wb+Wp = 0
Ra+Rx-100-75 = 0

Torques:

0*Ra+x*Rx-2*100-x*75 = 0
I think that explained all in "Relevant equations".
Here is the image of this exercise:
a.JPG

This is my Free Body Diagram:
b.JPG
 
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You have not accounted for all the forces. Doesn't the fulcrum exert a force at point C?
Also, you need an additional equation. What is so special about the point of tipping? In other words what condition must hold for the bar to tip?
 
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JohnnyLaws said:
... but I don't know How to draw this specific Free body Diagram.
Simply represent all the known and unknown possible forces acting on the bar.
For example,
Rx = reaction in person
is a real force, but it is not acting on the bar; therefore, it is not interesting regarding resolving the balance of the beam.

Please, see:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-osuniversityphysics/chapter/5-7-drawing-free-body-diagrams/

Balance bar.png


JohnnyLaws said:
On the other hand I don't know why I need point C.
Please note that:

*The support A only restrains the bar end from moving downwards, but it lets the end go upwards.

*The support C is a pivot, which retrains any movement of the point C, except rotation on the plane of the paper.

*The problem is asking you about the maximum distance that the man can move his weight to the right without inducing the above rorartion.
 
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The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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