Determine the force reading F if the length is AC = 1m, BC = 25cm, and P = 20 N.

We have a lever where the “C” point is the fixed support. Then “AC” and “BC” are the levers of the lever. The leverage rule can be represented as the following formula: F₂ / F₁ = L₁ / L₂ where L₁ and L₂ are the leverage arms, and F₂ and F₁ are the forces applied to them. The condition does not specify which arm the force “P” is applied to. Therefore, we calculate both options: 1) Force “P” is applied to the shoulder “AC”, then the formula can be written as follows: F / P = AC / BC whence: F = P * AC / BC F = 20 * 1 / 0.25 = 80 [H] 2) Force “P” is applied to the shoulder “BC”, then the formula can be written as follows: F / P = BC / AC whence: F = P * BC / AC F = 20 * 0.25 / 1 = 5 [H]
Answer: choose the correct answer, depending on the place of application of the force “P”.