A meter rule has a center of gravity of 60cm the meter rule balances on a fulcrum place at 35cm mark. What is the mass of the meter rule
To find the mass of the meter rule, we can use the principle of moments. The principle of moments states that for an object to be in rotational equilibrium, the sum of the clockwise moments about any point must be equal to the sum of the anticlockwise moments about the same point.
In this case, we can consider the point of balance on the fulcrum at the 35cm mark. Let's denote the mass of the meter rule as M.
The moment of a force is given by the formula: moment = force × distance.
On one side of the fulcrum (anticlockwise), the moment is due to the weight of the meter rule. The weight is equal to the mass multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2) and acts at the center of gravity, which is 60 cm from the fulcrum. So, the anticlockwise moment is: M × 9.8 × 0.60.
On the other side of the fulcrum (clockwise), there is no other force acting. Hence, the clockwise moment is zero.
Since the meter rule is balanced, according to the principle of moments, the anticlockwise moment must be equal to the clockwise moment.
Therefore, M × 9.8 × 0.60 = 0.
Simplifying the equation, we find:
M = 0 / (9.8 × 0.60) = 0 kg.
From the calculation, the mass of the meter rule is 0 kg.