A uniform lever arm is used in conjunction with a pivot to weigh an object A. th

Question

A uniform lever arm is used in conjunction with a pivot to weigh an object A. the mass of the lever arm

is not negligible but is unknown. The pivot point may be moved relative to the lever arm.

a) Where should the pivot be placed along the lever arm so that the mass of the lever arm does

not appear in the calculation?

b) If the unknown mass is balanced by a 0.5 kg mass hung from the lever arm 1.5 m from the

pivot point, how much does the unknown mass weigh given that it is hung from the lever arm

at a point 3 m on the other side of the pivot point?

Explanation / Answer

a)

the pivot should be placed at the center of mass of the the lever

(at the center of the lever it is uniform) so that no torque of the lever acts

b)

balancing the torques,

0.5*1.5=m*3

m=0.25kg

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