Torque excerted on the support by a mass

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the torque exerted by a 125-gram mass placed 25 cm from the support of a balance. The correct calculation involves converting the mass from grams to kilograms, resulting in a torque of 0.30656 N*m, not 306.56 N*m as initially stated. The error arose from using the incorrect unit of mass, leading to a significant miscalculation in torque. Proper unit conversion is essential for accurate torque calculations.

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mikefitz
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A 125-g mass is placed on one pan of a balance, at a point 25 cm from the support of the balance. What is the magnitude of the torque about the support exerted by the mass?

125kg*9.81m/s^2*.25m = 306.56 N*m

why is this wrong?
 
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mikefitz said:
A 125-g mass is placed on one pan of a balance, at a point 25 cm from the support of the balance. What is the magnitude of the torque about the support exerted by the mass?

125kg*9.81m/s^2*.25m = 306.56 N*m

why is this wrong?

You mixed up the units [kg] and [g].
 
thanks a lot
 

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