Exam-style question
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A beam is in equilibrium with two forces acting on it: a 50 N force acting downwards and a 30 N force acting upwards. Calculate the resultant moment about the pivot point if the distance from the pivot to the 50 N force is 2 m and to the 30 N force is 1 m.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- The resultant moment about the pivot is 40 Nm in the clockwise direction.
Explanation
Why this works
This question tests the application of the principle of moments in equilibrium problems. The calculation involves determining the moments caused by each force and finding the resultant moment.
The formula for moment is M = F × d, where F is the force and d is the distance from the pivot.
Common mistake
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