To balance this lever the torques on each side of the fulcrum must be equal. Torque is weight x distance from the fulcrum so the equation for equilibrium is:

R_ad_a = R_bd_b

Solving for R_a, our missing value, and plugging in our variables yields:

R_a = \( \frac{R_bd_b}{d_a} \) = \( \frac{5 lbs. \times 1 ft.}{4 ft.} \) = \( \frac{5 ft⋅lb}{4 ft.} \) = 1.25 lbs.

Work is accomplished when force is applied to an object: W = Fd where F is force in newtons (N) and d is distance in meters (m). Thus, the more force that must be applied to move an object, the more work is done and the farther an object is moved by exerting force, the more work is done. By definition, work is the displacement of an object resulting from applied force.

Tension is a force that stretches or elongates something. When a cable or rope is used to pull an object, for example, it stretches internally as it accepts the weight that it's moving. Although tension is often treated as applying equally to all parts of a material, it's greater at the places where the material is under the most stress.

For any given surface, the coefficient of static friction is higher than the coefficient of kinetic friction. More force is required to initally get an object moving than is required to keep it moving. Additionally, static friction only arises in response to an attempt to move an object (overcome the normal force between it and the surface).

To balance this lever the torques on each side of the fulcrum must be equal. Torque is weight x distance from the fulcrum so the equation for equilibrium is:

R_ad_a = R_bd_b

Solving for d_a, our missing value, and plugging in our variables yields:

d_a = \( \frac{R_bd_b}{R_a} \) = \( \frac{15 lbs. \times 3 ft.}{5 lbs.} \) = \( \frac{45 ft⋅lb}{5 lbs.} \) = 9 ft.