This document calculates the torque and forces acting on an object consisting of two masses attached to an inclined axis. It first uses torque equations to find the torque force from the 15 kg mass is 1900 N, acting to rotate the object counterclockwise. It then uses force equilibrium equations to find the force from the 2 kg mass is also 1900 N, pointing downward to balance the system.

1. 18. (a) All forces are vertical and all distances are measured along an axis inclined at 30◦ . Thus, any
trigonometric factor cancels out and the application of torques about the contact point (referred to
in the problem) leads to
(15 kg) 9.8 m/s2 (35 cm) − (2.0 kg) 9.8 m/s2 (15 cm)
Ftripcep = = 1.9 × 103 N .
2.5 cm
(b) Equilibrium of forces (with upwards positive) leads to
Ftripcep + Fhumer + (15 kg) 9.8 m/s2 − (2.0 kg) 9.8 m/s2 = 0
and thus to Fhumer = −1.9 × 103 N, with the minus sign implying that it points downward.