Describe the forces at work when a gymnast balances on a balance beam.

A. Forces are unbalanced when gravity pulling down differs from the gymnast's legs pushing up.

B. Forces are unbalanced when gravity reduces to match the balance beam force pushing up.

C. Forces are balanced when gravity pulling down equals the balance beam force pushing up.

D. Forces are balanced when gravity pulling down is weaker than the balance beam force pushing up.

The gymnast's balance on the beam is maintained by the balance of the upward normal force and the downward gravitational force. In equilibrium, these forces are equal, allowing the gymnast to remain stable. A shift in weight disrupts this balance, potentially leading to a fall.

Explanation:

Forces Acting on a Gymnast on a Balance Beam

When a gymnast balances on a balance beam, several forces are at work to maintain equilibrium. The primary forces involved include:

Gravity: This force acts downward, pulling the gymnast towards the Earth. It is concentrated at the gymnast's center of mass.
Normal Force: The balance beam exerts an upward normal force at the point of contact with the gymnast's feet. This force counteracts the weight of the gymnast.

In a stable position, these forces must be balanced, meaning the upward normal force equals the downward force of gravity. As a result, we can express the balance condition mathematically as:

Normal Force = Weight of the Gymnast (Gravity)

Thus, when the forces are balanced, the gymnast remains stable on the beam without tipping over. If the gymnast shifts their weight, the forces become unbalanced, which could lead to a fall unless corrected.

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