Question

A train engine that weighs $5000N$ stops at the exact centre of a bridge of weighs $75,000N$ and has two equally spaced pillars to support the bridge. Calculate the upward force exerted by each pillar:

• A. $75,000N$
• B. $40,000N$
• C. $37,500N$
• D. $2500N$
• E. $0N$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $40,000N$

As the pillars are equidistant from the centre of the bridge and the weight of bridge along with that of engine acts on the centre of bridge, thus the two pillars exert same reaction force.

$\therefore$ $R+R=75000+5000$

OR $2R=80000$ $⟹R=40000$ N