Final answer:
The problem revolves around finding the mass of a baseball bat by using the principle of moments to balance torques before and after a glove is attached. By setting up an equation with the given distances and rearranging, the mass of the bat can be determined.
Step-by-step explanation:
Finding the Mass of the Baseball Bat
Let's address the student's first question regarding the mass of the baseball bat. This problem is an example of applying the principle of moments, or torque balance, to find an unknown mass. The balance point, or center of mass, of the bat is initially 74.9 cm from one end. After attaching a 0.560-kg glove to that end, the new balance point is 25.3 cm closer to the glove. We can set up an equation based on the center of mass before and after the glove is attached:
Initial balance point: (Mass of bat)(74.9 cm) = (Mass of bat + Mass of glove)(74.9 cm - 25.3 cm)
Let's call the mass of the bat 'M'. Then, after rearranging the equation and solving for 'M', we get:
M(74.9) = (M + 0.560 kg)(49.6 cm)
When you solve the equation, you will find the mass of the bat.