How Can I Calculate the Force on the Pivot Point in a Torque Experiment?

[Sinister]

Homework Statement

For this lab we put a ruler (of mass 200g) horizontal using two rods and then we added a 100g weight somewhere along the ruler. We had a Newton scale attached at a distance of 50 cm to measure the force. I calculated the centre of mass to be around 57 cm. How can I go abouts calculating the force acting on the pivot point?

Homework Equations

F = F x D
Tg= mgc (C is centre of mass)
Mgl <--- no idea what that's caculating

The Attempt at a Solution

Found the F= F x D and the torque of gravity but how do i find the force acting on the pivot point and the Mgl

 

[anathema]

equation?

Thank you for sharing your lab setup and question. It's great that you have already calculated the centre of mass and are familiar with the equations for force and torque. To calculate the force acting on the pivot point, you can use the equation F = T/D, where F is the force, T is the torque, and D is the distance from the pivot point to the point where you are measuring the force (in this case, 50 cm). This will give you the force acting on the pivot point.

As for the Mgl equation, this is the equation for the torque of a mass (m) at a distance (l) from the pivot point due to gravity (g). It is often used in the context of a simple pendulum, where the mass is attached to a string and swings back and forth. In your lab setup, you can use this equation to calculate the torque of the weight (100g) at a distance of 57 cm from the pivot point due to gravity.

I hope this helps and good luck with your calculations! Remember to always double check your units and make sure they are consistent throughout the equations.