What is the Mass of Meter Stick in Sketch?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the mass of a meter stick that is balanced, as depicted in a provided sketch. The context relates to concepts of torque and balance in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the concept of torque and how the mass of the meter stick contributes to the balance of the system. There are attempts to conceptualize the meter stick as massless and to analyze the forces acting on it. Some participants express confusion about the problem's requirements and the physics concepts involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes various interpretations of the problem, with some participants suggesting methods to approach the solution while others express uncertainty about their understanding. There is no explicit consensus on the correct answer, but guidance has been offered regarding the application of torque principles.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention their background in other fields, indicating a potential lack of familiarity with physics concepts, which may affect their understanding of the problem. There is also mention of the professor not covering the topic in class, contributing to the confusion.

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Homework Statement


What is the mass of the meter stick, which is shown in the sketch below while it is balanced?

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/9819/problemeo4.jpg
a 160 grams b 120 grams c 80 grams d 200 grams e none of the above

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I am completely CONFUSED! Our professor never discussed finding the mass of the lever.
 
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The meter, you can think of like a mass that adds torque to the system. Consider the each side of the meterstick as a mass concentrated at that center of gravity for the side. Then you can solve for the sum of the torques = 0.
 
To reiterate what thepanda said, think of the leaver as mass less, and simply assume there is a mass of "x" weight hanging from the 50cm mark of the meter stick (20cm to the right of the fulcrum). Simply solve for "x".

*It is placed here because it is the object's center of mass
 
Okay I know I am going to sound completely stupid, but I am still getting really confused. I have a political science degree and working on a history degree. I am in the lowest level physics and I am still getting really confused.

Sorry.
 
so does X = 120 grams?
 
that is the correct answer.
 

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