Engineering principles — forces, moments, equilibrium

What you'll learn

1. 1

   Imagine a seesaw in a playground. 🛝 When both sides are balanced, it's in equilibrium — no one moves!

2. 2

   What do we call it when a seesaw is perfectly balanced?

3. 3

   Let's calculate the moment on a seesaw. A force of 200 N pushes down 2 m from the pivot.

4. 4

   Drag the weight to balance the seesaw. A 300 N force is 1 m from the pivot. Where must a 150 N force go?

5. 5

   If a 300 N force is 1 m from the pivot, what moment does it create?

6. 6

   Two children on a seesaw: one weighs 400 N and sits 1.5 m from pivot. The other weighs 300 N. How far from pivot must they sit to balance?

7. 7

   A 500 N force is 2 m from the pivot. A 200 N force must create the same moment. How far from pivot must the 200 N force be?