A student of mass and another student of mass sit at opposite ends of a board of length and negligible mass. The board is free to pivot about a support at its center. At the instant shown above, the board is horizontal
a. Derive an expression for the magnitude of the net torque exerted on the students-board system about the support at the instant shown in the figure. Express your answer in terms of , and physical constants, as appropriate
b. The students want to be able to balance the board horizontally without the students touching the ground. They figure out that one student needs to move closer to the support while the other student remains in their original position at the other end of the board. Which student should move closer to the support? The student of mass ____ The student of mass ______
Briefly explain your reasoning.
c) Derive an expression for the distance that the student indicated in part (b)(i) should move.
Express your answer in terms of , and physical constants, as appropriate.
d) Determine the magnitude of the force exerted on the board by the support after the student has moved and the board is balanced horizontally. Express your answer in terms of , and physical constants, as appropriate.