Create a simple balance using a ruler as the balance beam and a pencil as the fu

ID: 2092794 • Letter: C

Question

Create a simple balance using a ruler as the balance beam

and a pencil as the fulcrum. (A pencil or pen with a hexagonal cross section is easier to use than one with a round

cross section.)

a. Does the ruler balance exactly at its midpoint? What

does this imply about the ruler?

b. Using a nickel as your standard, what are the ratios of

the weights of pennies, dimes, and quarters to that of the

nickel? Describe the process used to find these ratios.

c. Is the distance from the fulcrum necessary to balance

two nickels on one side with a single nickel on the opposite side exactly half the distance for the single nickel?

How would you account for any discrepancy?

a) yes..the ruler balance exactly at its midpoint this says that it has uniform mass distribution

b) we put the nickel at one end of the ruler and pennies dimes and quarters at the other sides of the rular

we calculate the balance points....the ratio of lengths on the ruler gives us the ratio of their weight.

c) yes...the distance from the fulcrum necessary to balance

two nickels on one side with a single nickel on the opposite side exactly half the distance for the single nickel

because of the balance of torques of the weight

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