A lever is placed on a fulcrum. A rock is placed on the left end of the lever and a downward (clockwise) force is applied to the right end of the lever. What measurements would be most effective to help you determine the angular acceleration of the system? (Assume the lever itself has negligible mass.)
the angular velocity and mass of the rock
the angular velocity and mass of the rock, and the radius of the lever
the velocity of the force, the radius of the lever, and the mass of the rock
the mass of the rock, the length of the lever on both sides of the fulcrum, and the force applied on the right side of the lever
The correct answer is the velocity of the force, the radius of the lever, and the mass of the rock.
Angular acceleration is determined by the net torque acting on an object. In this case, the torque is produced by the force applied on the right end of the lever. The torque (τ) can be calculated using the equation τ = rF, where r is the distance from the fulcrum to the point where the force is applied, and F is the magnitude of the force.
The mass of the rock does not directly affect the angular acceleration in this scenario, as it is not involved in the torque calculation. The length of the lever on both sides of the fulcrum is also not necessary information to determine the angular acceleration.