A half metre rod is pivoted at the centre with two weights of 20 gf and 12 gf suspended at a perpendicular distance

A half metre rod is pivoted at the centre with two weights of 20 gf and 12 gf suspended at a perpendicular distance of 6 cm and 10 cm from the pivot respectively as shown below.

1. Which of the two forces acting on the rigid rod causes clockwise moment?
2. Is the rod in equilibrium?
3. The direction of 20 kgf force is reversed. What is the magnitude of the resultant moment of the forces on the rod?

Answer

1. 12 kg f
2. Yes
3. On reversing the direction of 20 kg f, the magnitude of the resultant forces on the rod = 20 × 6 + 12 × 10 = 240