Ann and Bob play on a uniform seesaw. The seesaw is 4m long and Ann and Bob weigh 600N and 800N respectively. If both Ann and Bob start at one end of the seesaw and Bob starts to walk up the seesaw at 2m/s, after how long will the seesaw turn?

(expect a diagram of a uniform seesaw with a pivot in the middle, infered from the question)

For the seesaw to turn, Bob must create a greater Moment than Ann.

Moment = Force * Perpedicular distance to pivot

Ann's Moment = 600N * 2m = 1200Nm

Calculate the point at which the moments are equal:

Bob's Moment = 800N * Xm = 1200Nm

solve to find X = 1.5m.

Therefore Bob must have travelled 3.5m.

Use of Speed = Distance / Time, rearanged to Time = Distance / Speed, to find time, t:

t = 3.5m / 2m/s = 1.75s.

AS
Answered by Angus S. Physics tutor

3392 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A force is applied to a box of mass 2kg so that is accelerates at 2ms^-2. Find the force acting on the box and thus calculate the work done in moving the box 10m in the direction of the force.


How does the resistance of a filament lamp change as the voltage increase?


Astronauts on the ISS orbit Earth 16 times a day at a height of 400km above the surface. Given that the radius of Earth is approximately 6400km, how fast are the astronauts travelling?


What is convection?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning