A diver of mass 60kg stands on the end of a diving board of length 2m from the pivot point. Calculate the upward force exerted on the retaining spring 30cm from the pivot point.

This question is asking about forces acting around a pivot point, so we can use the formula for the moment M = F*D about the pivot point. The clockwise and anticlockwise moments around the pivot must be equal, otherwise the diving board would start rotating. The clockwise moment would be the weight of the man, his mass * g , roughly equal to 600 N (if g is about 10), multiplied by the distance from the pivot point, 2m. This equals 1200 Nm. This balances the anticlockwise moment, which is the distance from the pivot point, 0.3 m, multiplied by the upwards force (tension). We find the force by dividing both sides by 0.3m, to determine an answer of 4000 N.

LG
Answered by Louis G. Physics tutor

9187 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is electromotive force (emf) and how can the emf of a battery be measured?


A student has a mass of 80kg. How much would the student weigh on the surface of the Moon?


What is the difference between a Scalar and a Vector?


A car is travelling at 10m/s when it brakes and decelerates at 2ms^-2 to a stop. How long does the car take to stop?


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning