Dynamics Dungeon: Balance Beam

Mass 1 (kg)

Position of mass 1 (m)

Mass 2 (kg)

Position of mass 2 (m)

Pivot position (m)

PREDICT

How this connects to AP Physics 1 (Topic 2.1, Systems and Center of Mass): the center of mass of a system is the weighted average of the positions, x_cm = Σ(m x)/Σm. A beam balances when the pivot is at the center of mass, which is the same as saying the torques (m g d) on the two sides are equal.