Question

1. Equilibrium Lab Example.

A meter stick with unknown mass is suspended by two strings of length 60 cm, so that it forms an equilateral triangle, 30 cm from the center on each side as shown. Three masses, mass 1= 200g, mass 2= 400 g, and a third unknown mass are hung at 3 different positions as shown (mass 1 at 50 cm meter stick position, mass 2 at the 20 cm position, and mass 3 at the 90 cm position 10 cm from left). The system is in static equilibrium, tension, T of the top string is 8 N, and the center of gravity of the meter stick of unknown mass is in the center.

Do the following:

1. Show both torque and free-body diagrams! Attach separate paper, if needed.
2. Find the unknown mass 3 at the 90 cm position (10 cm from the left).
3. Can you find the mass of the meter stick? If so, find!

Answer 1