Comparing the masses of two objects can help determine how they interact when combined or placed in systems like the meterstick problem. Here, we were tasked to compare the mass of the meterstick to an 86 g necklace.
This can be done using the concept of torque equilibrium, which states that for an object to be balanced, the sum of torques around any pivot must be zero. The torque is calculated as the product of the force (mass times gravity) and the distance from the pivot point. For the necklace and meterstick:
- The torque of the necklace is calculated as the weight of the necklace (86 g) multiplied by its distance (50 cm) from the new center of mass.
- The torque of the meterstick is its mass (m) times the shift in the center (8.2 cm).
Solving this equation, we found the meterstick's mass to be greater, 524 g, indicating a greater influence on the overall balance.