Question

An absolute unit of a man is moving a large bucket. The bucket has a mass of 500 kg and is suspended 0.5 m from a pivot. The absolute unit of a man lifts the beam at it's end, 5 m from the pivot and holds it steady.

Answer 1

A force diagram of the situation is shown below:

In order to the system is in equilibrium. It is necessary that the torque produced by the man equals the torque produced by the bucket:

τ1 = τ2

F1*d1 = F2*d2

where,

F1: force of the man = ?

d1: distance to the pivot from force F1 = 5 m

F2: weight of the bucket = 500kg*9.8m/s^2 = 4900N

d2: distance to the pivot from weight of the bucket = 0.5m

Solve the equation above for F2, replace the values of the other parameters and simplify:

F2 = (F1*d1)/d2 = (4900N)(5m)/(0.5m)

F2 = 49000N