11.14. The horizontal beam in the figure weighs 150 N, and its center of gravity is at its center.

Find (a)
the tension in the cable and (b) the horizontal and vertical components of the force exerted on the
beam at the wall.

Identify: Apply the first and second conditions of equilibrium to the beam.

Set Up: The free-body diagram for the beam is given in Figure 11.14. H v and H h are the
vertical and horizontal components of the force exerted on the beam at the wall (by the
hinge). Since the beam is uniform, its center of gravity is 2.00 m from each end. The
angle has cos 0.800 and sin 0.600 . The tension T has been replaced by its x and y
components.
Execute:

(a) H v , H h and Tx T cos all produce zero torque. 0 gives

w(2.00 m) wload (4.00 m) T sin (4.00 m) 0
and
(150 N)(2.00 m) (300 N)(4.00 m)
T 625 N
(4.00 m)(0.600) .

(b) F x 0
gives H h T cos 0 and H h (625 N)(0.800) 500 N . F
y 0
gives
H v w wload T sin 0
and
H v w wload T sin 150 N 300 N (625 N)(0.600) 75 N
.

Evaluate: For an axis at the right-hand end of the beam, only w and H v produce torque. The
torque due to w is counterclockwise so the torque due to H v must be clockwise. To
produce a counterclockwise torque, H v must be upward, in agreement with our result
from F y 0
.
Figure 11.14