Question

If the mass of the block is too large and the block is too close to the left end of the bar (near string B) then the horizontal bar may become unstable (i.e., the bar may no longer remain horizontal). What is the smallest possible value of x such that the bar remains stable (call it xcritical)

Answer 1

Answer:

xcritical = d− m1 /m2 ( L /2−d)

Explanation: the precursor to this question will had been this

the precursor to the question can be found online.

ff the mass of the block is too large and the block is too close to the left end of the bar (near string B) then the horizontal bar may become unstable (i.e., the bar may no longer remain horizontal). What is the smallest possible value of x such that the bar remains stable (call it xcritical)

. from the principle of moments which states that sum of clockwise moments must be equal to the sum of anticlockwise moments. aslo sum of upward forces is equal to sum of downward forces

smallest possible value of x such that the bar remains stable (call it xcritical)

∑τA = 0 = m2g(d− xcritical)− m1g( −d)

xcritical = d− m1 /m2 ( L /2−d)