A balanced lever has two weights on it, one with mass #2 kg# and one with mass #15 kg#. If the first weight is # 3 m# from the fulcrum, how far is the second weight from the fulcrum?

1 Answer
Narad T.
Aug 10, 2017

The distance is #=0.4m#

Explanation:

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The masses are

#M_1=15kg#

#M_2=2kg#

The distance #b=3m#

Taking moments about the fulcrum

#M_1g*a=M_2g*b#

#a=M_2/M_1*b=2/15*3=0.4m#

The distance is #=0.4m#

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