Question

A 90.0 gram mass is 0.75 meters from the pivot point on a balance scale. what mass must be placed 0.45 meters from the pivot to balance?​

Answer 1

To balance a balance scale using the concept of torque, the mass needed on the right side to balance a 90.0 gram mass at 0.75 meters from the pivot would be 150.0 grams, placed 0.45 meters from the pivot.

Step-by-step explanation:

To balance a balance scale, you use the concept of torque, which is the product of the force applied (here, due to mass) and the distance from the pivot point. Since the scale is in equilibrium, the torque on one side must equal the torque on the other side. This means that you can set up the following equation:

Mass on left × Distance from pivot on left = Mass on right × Distance from pivot on right

For the given question,

90.0 g × 0.75 m = Mass on right × 0.45 m

To find the mass that must be placed on the other side of the pivot:

Mass on right = (90.0 g × 0.75 m) / 0.45 m

Mass on right = 150.0 g

This mass needs to be placed 0.45 meters from the pivot to achieve balance on the scale.