A balanced lever has two weights on it, the first with mass #5 kg # and the second with mass #8 kg#. If the first weight is # 7 m# from the fulcrum, how far is the second weight from the fulcrum?

1 Answer
Mar 29, 2017

The distance is #=4.375m#

Explanation:

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#M_2=5g N#

#b=7m#

#M_1=8gN#

Taking moments about the fulcrum

#M_1*a=M_2*b#

#8g*a=5g*7#

#b=(5g*7)/(8g)#

#=4.375m#