Assume the ruler is exactly 1 m long, and the mass hangers have negligibbe mass.

Question

Assume the ruler is exactly 1 m long, and the mass hangers have negligibbe mass.

a) Suppose the ruler in procedure 2 is asymetrical, and it is balanced at the 46.2 cm mark (at the center of mass). Now, mass M is hung on the ruler at the 100 cm mark. Where must you hang mass 2.61M so the system remains in equilibrium?

b) The method of procedure 2 can be used to accurately determine the mass of a light coin (as in procedure 4). Suppose the ruler is perfectly symmetrical, and it balances at the center. The coin of unknown mass is placed at the 0 cm mark, it is balanced by a mass m = 41.7 g placed at the 73.4 cm mark. Find the mass of the coin.

Explanation / Answer

Part A)

For the balancing of torques

(M)(53.8) = (2.61M)(x)

x = 20.6 cm from the 46.2 cm mark

46.2 - 20.6 = 25.6 cm mark

Part B)
Balance the torques

(41.7)(23.4) = (m)(50)

m = 19.5 grams

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