Question

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

Answer 1

The equation is `F_Lxxd_L=F_Rxxd_R`
Where `F=`force, `d=`distance, `L=`left, `R=right`

Explanation:

When we translate the masses into forces, we have the constant `g` 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`