A uniform beam is suspended horizontally and attached to a wall by a small hinge (Fig. Q11.19). What are the directions (upward or downward, and to the left or the right) of the components of the force that the hinge exerts on the beam? Explain.

The Center of the Mass is a physical interpretation of the point located somewhere inside the object on which the whole mass of that object is being concentrated.

Given, a uniform beam is suspended horizontally as shown in the figure:

Here, the wire applies the tension towards the right side. Therefore the hinge will exert equal and opposite force towards the left side to balance the beam. So, the horizontal force is towards the left side of the hinge.

Again, the center of the mass is exerting the force downward side. This will create the torque at the point where the wire is connected. Therefore the hinge

will apply an equal and opposite torque downward to balance the torque on the beam. So the vertical forceis towards the downward side of the hinge.

Hence, this is the required answer.