Physics education research, electronic materials, and the musings of Christopher Moore, Ph.D.

Hello all....
I have a problem of mechanics that I think is a relatively simple one for the mathmatically minded. For the record, Being an artist mathmatics has never been my strong point.  My math education stopped at pythagorius back in the 'late 70s so the minimal amount I've retained to this point is leaving me high and dry.
Here goes my attempt at explaining:
Imagine two 24 inch panels hinged together.  For visual sake let's say the hinge is on the left, not that it matters, and the inches are marked from left to right. 
So.......two 24 inch panels sandwiched together and hinged together.  A 200 pound weight sits on top of the upper panel at the midpoint, 12 inches.  When fully open the lower panel is 90 degrees from the upper panel like the letter L.  For argument's sake let's say that when the panels are closed like a book the upper panel rotates clockwise to 85 degrees from it's fully opened position.  The result when closed is that the upper and lower panels are not fully parallel to each other.  Similar to the appearance of a closed book with note papers stuff inside the front cover.
A linear actuator is permanently attached to the lower panel and the midpoint of the upper panel with the centerline of the actuator's pushrod at 1 inch above the lower panel.  If a 200 pound weight is sitting at the midpoint of 12 inches can someone tell me how much force is needed to raise the upper panel to vertical?  How about if the 200 pound weight is located at the edge of the unhinged end of the upper panel at the 24 inch mark?

Lastly I ask that you express the results in a term I'm able to comprehend.  For instance, I have nooooooo clue what a Newton is other than a variety of chewy fig cookie.  Can you express the results in PSI of force at the midpoint of the upper panel?
I know there's a formula for something of this nature but I do NOT know math.  Perhaps I'm oversimplifying it but from what I understand this is a fairly simple calculation with the information I've provided so far.  Can someone please, PLEASE help me out?  It's for a project I'm tinkering with but I can't really explain the details at this point. 

Please feel free to email me at VINCENTS7523@hotmail.com if I need to better explain my quandary and I really appreciate any help you can provide.
Thanks very VERY much....
PNTR815

Last edited by PNTR815 (2012-01-17 23:01:40)