To determine the location of his center of mass, a physics student lies on a lig

Question

To determine the location of his center of mass, a physics student lies on a lightweight plank supported by two scales L = 4.90 m apart, as indicated in the figure below. (a) If the left scale reads 299 N, and the right scale reads 125 N, find the student's mass. kg (b) Find the distance from the student's head to his center of mass. m

To determine the location of his center of mass, a physics student lies on a lightweight plank supported by two scales L = 4.90 m apart, as indicated in the figure below. (a) If the left scale reads 299 N, and the right scale reads 125 N, find the student's mass. kg (b) Find the distance from the student's head to his center of mass. m

Explanation / Answer

a) Total weight = 299 + 125 = 424 N

Mass m = W/g = 424/9.81 = 43.22 kg

b) Let distance be x.

Balancing moments about centre of mass, 299*x = 125*(L - x)

299*x = 125*(4.9 - x)

x = 1.44 m

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