Question

A meter stick is found to balance at the 49.7-cm mark when placed on a fulcrum. When a 49.0-gram mass is attached at the 13.0-cm mark, the fulcrum must be moved to the 39.2-cm mark for balance. What is the mass of the meter stick?

Answer 1

Answer: M = 118.9g

Step-by-step explanation:

Using the principle of moment to solve the equilibrium question,

Sum of clockwise moments is equal to the sum of anticlockwise moments

*Check attachment for the diagram

Note that the mass of the body is always located at the center i.e 50cm from the end.

To get M, taking moment about the fulcrum,

Since moment is force × perpendicular distance and according to the above principle, we have;

49×26.2= M×10.8

M= 49×26.2/10.8

M = 118.9g