Mechanical Advantage Lesson Plans & Worksheets :: 25 - 48 - Free Printable

Let’s solve this step by step.

We’re given a lever system with two forces:
- A 10 N force acting downward on the left side, 2 meters from the fulcrum (pivot point).
- An unknown force F₂ acting downward on the right side, 4 meters from the fulcrum.

The lever is in balance — that means it’s not rotating. So, the clockwise moment must equal the counterclockwise moment.

Moment = Force × Distance from pivot

Left side (counterclockwise moment):
Force = 10 N
Distance = 2 m
Moment = 10 × 2 = 20 N·m

Right side (clockwise moment):
Force = F₂ (unknown)
Distance = 4 m
Moment = F₂ × 4

Since the lever is balanced:
Clockwise moment = Counterclockwise moment
F₂ × 4 = 20

Now solve for F₂:
F₂ = 20 ÷ 4
F₂ = 5

So the missing force is 5 Newtons.

Final Answer:
5