- #1
Kandycat
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Homework Statement
A meter stick is pivoted at its 50 cm mark but does not balance because of the nonuniformities in its material that cause its center of gravity to be displaced from its geometrical center. However, when weights of 150 g and 300 g are place at the 10 cm and 75 cm marks, respectively, balance is obtained. The weights are then interchanged and balance is again obtained by shifting the pivot point to the 43 cm mark. Find the mass o the meter stick and the location of its center of gravity.
Homework Equations
t1 = t2
m1gr1 = m2gr2
The Attempt at a Solution
I tried to figure out the mass of the meter stick first by using the equation below:
m1gr1 = m2gr2
So... I plugged in the numbers (g cancels out)
(300 kg)(25 cm) = (150+x)(25 cm)
I thought it was 25 cm because from 0 to 50 cm, the diameter is 50 cm and the radius must be 25 cm. I don't know... my teacher lost me. X is the mass of the meter stick.
But I got lost and confused since there is another piece of information that I think I need to use. I don't really understand torque very well.