UPSC Civil Service Exam Questions - Engineering

Q1:

Two men, one stronger than the other have to lift a load of 1200 N which is suspended from a light rod of length 3 m. The load is suspended between the two persons positioned at the two ends of the rod. The weaker of the two persons can carry a load up to 400 N only. The distance of the load to be suspended from the stronger person such that the weaker person has the full share of 400 N is

A 0.5 m

B 1.0 m

C 1.5 m

D 2.0 m

ANS:D - 2.0 m

The weight is divided between the two persons and so will become 400N for the weak person and 1200-400=800N for the stronger one.now by taking moment at strong person side we get the equation as:

Moment at strong person=0.

=> 400x3=1200x(X).
=> X=(400x3)/1200,
=> X=1m/s(from weaker person to the load acting).

Now from the strong person will be=3-1=2 m/s.
(or)
This can be directly done by taking moment at weaker person it self where we get it as:
=> 800x3=1200x(X),
=> X=(800x3)/1200,
=> X=2m/s.