Physics Problem Solving

Question

A meter stick sits balanced on a fulcrum, placed at the 40cm mark with a weight (W) placed at the 10cm mark. What is the weight of the meter stick?

Answer 1

Assume the weight of the meterstick is located at its center of mass: 50 cm. The torque balance for equilibrium requires that :

W_(stick)d_(stick) = Wd_(weight) where d's (lever arms) are distances to fulcrum. In a sense the meterstick COM is |40-50| away from the fulcrum and the weight is |40 -10| away from the fulcrum.

Good luck!

Answer 2