A balanced lever has two weights on it, the first with mass 4 kg 4kg and the second with mass 6 kg6kg. If the first weight is 8 m8m from the fulcrum, how far is the second weight from the fulcrum?

1 Answer
Apr 3, 2016

The equation is F_Lxxd_L=F_Rxxd_RFL×dL=FR×dR
Where F=F=force, d=d=distance, L=L=left, R=rightR=right

Explanation:

When we translate the masses into forces, we have the constant gg on both sides, so they cancel. The equation then turns into:
m_Lxxcancelgxxd_L=m_Rxxcancelgxxd_R

4kgxx8m=6kgxxd_R

d_R=(4cancel(kg)xx8m)/(6cancel(kg))=32/6m=5 1/3m