Statics: Balancing beam of unknown length

AI Thread Summary
To determine the balance point of a horizontal meter stick with weights, the total torque and net force must equal zero. The weights are positioned at specific distances, and their respective masses contribute to the overall torque calculation. The center of mass formula can be applied to find the location where the stick would balance. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding torque and force equilibrium in solving statics problems. The user expresses uncertainty about the approach but acknowledges a correction regarding the meter stick's length.
togg
Messages
3
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A horizontal meter stick has a mass of 217 g. Three weights ride on the meter stick: 265 g at 40.7 cm, 191 g at 75.9 cm, and 195 g at 99.3 cm. At what location on the meter stick would the system be in balance if it were suspended there?

Homework Equations


ƩF=0
Ʃτ=0
Center of mass (x-dimension) = (M1X1 +M2X2...)/(M1+M2...)

The Attempt at a Solution


I know that in order for the system to balance the torque on the system as well as the net force must both equal zero. I have just begun this section and I am not really sure how to approach this problem. Thank you for your time.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Your post topic says "Statics: Balancing beam of unknown length".
The problem statement says, "A horizontal meter stick ..."

I don't know how long your meter stick is, but all of mine are 1 meter long.
 
You were correct. That was a simple mistake, thank you for the help.
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'
In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top