---
title: "A uniform horizontal beam of length \\(L\\) and mass \\(M\\) is supported at its two ends by vertical pillars at \\(x = 0\\) and \\(x = L\\). A worker of mass \\(m\\) walks along the beam from \\(x = 0\\) to \\(x = L\\). In each graph, the solid curve represents the magnitude of the normal force \\(F_1\\) exerted by the pillar at \\(x = 0\\), and the dashed curve represents the magnitude of the normal force \\(F_2\\) exerted by the pillar at \\(x = L\\). Which of the following graphs best represents \\(F_1\\) and \\(F_2\\) as functions of the worker’s position \\(x\\)?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/124377/"
date_modified: "2026-09-28T14:05:01+00:00"
---

# A uniform horizontal beam of length \(L\) and mass \(M\) is supported at its two ends by vertical pillars at \(x = 0\) and \(x = L\). A worker of mass \(m\) walks along the beam from \(x = 0\) to \(x = L\). In each graph, the solid curve represents the magnitude of the normal force \(F_1\) exerted by the pillar at \(x = 0\), and the dashed curve represents the magnitude of the normal force \(F_2\) exerted by the pillar at \(x = L\). Which of the following graphs best represents \(F_1\) and \(F_2\) as functions of the worker’s position \(x\)?

A uniform horizontal beam of length \(L\) and mass \(M\) is supported at its two ends by vertical pillars at \(x = 0\) and \(x = L\). A worker of mass \(m\) walks along the beam from \(x = 0\) to \(x = L\). In each graph, the solid curve represents the magnitude of the normal force \(F_1\) exerted by the pillar at \(x = 0\), and the dashed curve represents the magnitude of the normal force \(F_2\) exerted by the pillar at \(x = L\). Which of the following graphs best represents \(F_1\) and \(F_2\) as functions of the worker's position \(x\)?

![A horizontal beam of uniform thickness extends horizontally from a left pillar at x = 0 to a right pillar at x = L. Two narrow vertical rectangular pillars support the beam from below at its left and right ends. A person, represented as a simple stylized figure, stands on the top surface of the beam at a distance x from the left end. A horizontal coordinate axis runs parallel below the beam with tick marks labeled x = 0 at the left pillar and x = L at the right pillar. A double-headed horizontal arrow indicates the distance x from the left end to the person. No other labels, lines, text, or axes appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1790604299-yXjofp.jpg)

- **A.** Graph A
- **B.** Graph B
- **C.** Graph C
- **D.** Graph D

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/124377/*