Question

Beam A is bisected by Beam B. A force F is applied to beam B (at a distance of X away from Beam A). Would the force on Beam A at the intersection be equal to F or does the magnitude vary with distance?
Thank you

Answer 1

You'll need to give us a bit more information than that.. A corresponding image perhaps?

Answer 2

I'm sorry I wasn't given anymore information.

Answer 3

Oh sorry, I hadn't fully read your question.

Lets draw it out:


Assuming the system is in equilibrium (nothing is accelerating), then there must be a balance of forces. Assuming that the directions I assumed were correct, then you wouldn't need to worry about the force of gravity (it only provides a vertical force component). All you are interested in, from what I can gather, is F and R (the reaction force on beam A).

The short answer is that in an ideal system, the magnitudes of the forces have to be the same for the system to remain at rest.

The more complicated "real world" analysis is that there would have to be an equal and opposite force to keep the system from accelerating to the right, but also a couple moment (a torque in which there is no net resultant force) to counteract the moment caused by the force F at a distance X.

I can speak more on that if you're interested, but for the scope of your question, I think you can stick with the first answer