Need Confimation on Answer Process for Wheelbarrow Physics Question

[ruzoo]

The questions is:
A wheelbarrow is used to carry a load of 100Kg. The load's centre of mass lies 1/3 of the way between the axis and the point where the handles are held (the distance between the axis and the handles is 1.5m), how much effort will be required to lift the load and hold it at an angle of 30 degrees from the ground?
This is what I did :
Used the equation of static equilibrium, where E = sigma, sum of
ETk = 0
ETk = (Fm sin 30)(df) - (wt)(dwt)
0 = (Fm sin30)(0.5m) - (980 N)(1.5m)
0 = Fmsin30 - 1470Nm
Fm = 5880 N
Is the method I took correct? Just looking for some insight...
Thanks

 

[Andrew Mason]

The questions is:
A wheelbarrow is used to carry a load of 100Kg. The load's centre of mass lies 1/3 of the way between the axis and the point where the handles are held (the distance between the axis and the handles is 1.5m), how much effort will be required to lift the load and hold it at an angle of 30 degrees from the ground?
This is what I did :
Used the equation of static equilibrium, where E = sigma, sum of
ETk = 0
ETk = (Fm sin 30)(df) - (wt)(dwt)
0 = (Fm sin30)(0.5m) - (980 N)(1.5m)
0 = Fmsin30 - 1470Nm
Fm = 5880 N
Is the method I took correct?

No.
The equation for static equilibrium is:

\tau = 0

There are two torques acting here, and they are equal and opposite:

M_{load}\vec g \times \vec{d_{load}} = \vec F_{hand}\times \vec{d_{hand}}

where M_{load} = 100 kg.; d_{load} = .5 m and d_{hand} = 1.5 m

So:
M_{load}gd_{load}sin(60)/d_{hand} = F_{hand}

F_{hand} = 100 * 9.80 * .5 *.87 /1.5 = 284 N.

This assumes that the force on the handles is always applied at right angles to the handles.

AM

 

[ruzoo]

I understand, sort of...where does the sin 60 come in? Where are you getting "60" from?

 

[Andrew Mason]

I understand, sort of...where does the sin 60 come in? Where are you getting "60" from?

It is the cross-product:

M_{load}\vec g \times \vec d_{load} = M_{load}gd\sin(\theta)

where \theta is the angle of the force from the perpendicular to the line between the fulcrum and the point of application of the force. That angle is 60 degrees if the wheelbarrow is lifted 30 degrees from the horizontal.

AM