Chapter 9 Bodies in Equilibrium

1. Imagine you have a uniform plank weighing 400 N with each end resting on a balance, and a 60 N block sitting exactly in the center.  What force would each balance read?  Be specific and explain how you determined your numbers.

2. For the same set up, how do the balance readings change (if at all) if the block were shifted so that it was 1/4 of the way down the plank from one end?  For this one, don't determine the exact numbers but talk about whether or not the balance reading will change, and if they will change, in what way.

3. Are there any thoughts you wish to share, whether they are about this assignment, the reading (what seems impossible, what makes no sense, what you'd like to spend time on in class, what you really found interesting etc) or the course?