Question

An 800-N billboard worker stands on a 4.0-m scaffold weighing 500 N and supported by vertical ropes at each end. How far would the worker stand from one of the supporting ropes to produce a tension of 550 N in that rope

Answer 1

Answer:

2.5 m

Explanation:

Weight of billboard worker = 800 N

Number of ropes = 2

Length of scaffold = 4 m

Weight of scaffold = 500 N

Tension in rope = 550 N

The sum of the torques will be

$-800(4-x)-500\times 2+550\times 4=0\\\Rightarrow -800(4-x)=500\times 2-550\times 4\\\Rightarrow -800(4-x)=-1200\\\Rightarrow -x=\dfrac{1200}{800}-4\\\Rightarrow -x=-2.5\\\Rightarrow x=2.5\ m$

The position of the person will be 2.5 m