Why does the centre of gravity shift when a rod is displaced?

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andyrk
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In the first attachment, the normal reactions are equal. But when the rod is displaced a slight distance x towards the right (second attachment), the normal reactions change to R1 and R2 with R2 being greater than R1. Why is that?
 

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Hi andy

The plank and the cylinders are in rotational equilibrium . Can you write down the torque equation for the plank about G ? This should give you the answer you are looking for :smile: .
 
Tanya Sharma said:
Hi andy

The plank and the cylinders are in rotational equilibrium . Can you write down the torque equation for the plank about G ? This should give you the answer you are looking for :smile: .
Yes it worked. Thanks for that. But is there a qualitative explanation to it too? Something like: The CG shifted which made more mass come on top of one cylinder than the other...? Similarly, is there some qualitative explanation to why the normal reactions are equal when the plank is not displaced?
 
I don't know :oldsmile: