
Answer:
(a) 29 cm
(b) 43.5 cm
Explanation:
(a) when loop A is slack, there are three forces acting on the metre rule.
-0.9 N at 50 cm mark
T at 70 cm mark
-2 N at x
Taking the sum of the torques about B:
βΟ = IΞ±
(-0.9 N) (50 cm β 70 cm) + (-2 N) (x β 70 cm) = 0
18 Ncm β 2 N (x β 70 cm) = 0
2 N (x β 70 cm) = 18 Ncm
x β 70 cm = 9 cm
x = 79 cm
The distance from the center is |50 cm β 79 cm| = 29 cm.
(b) when loop B is slack, there are three forces acting on the metre rule.
-0.9 N at 50 cm mark
T at 20 cm mark
-2 N at x
Taking the sum of the torques about A:
βΟ = IΞ±
(-0.9 N) (50 cm β 20 cm) + (-2 N) (x β 20 cm) = 0
-27 Ncm β 2 N (x β 20 cm) = 0
2 N (x β 20 cm) = -27 Ncm
x β 20 cm = -13.5 cm
x = 6.5 cm
The distance from the center is |50 cm β 6.5 cm| = 43.5 cm