Questions: 4. In each case, a student is holding a nearly massless wooden stick horizontally. Each stick has one mass attached at the halfway mark and another mass at the far-end of the stick. The sticks are identical, and the specific values and locations are given in the figures. Is the magnitude of the torque exerted by the student greater in Case A, greater in Case B, or the same in both cases? Explain your reasoning.

Solution Steps

In both cases, the system is in equilibrium. This means the net torque is zero. The torques involved are the torque exerted by the student and the torque due to the weights. The torque due to the weights is equal and opposite to the torque exerted by the student.

In Case A, the torque due to the weights is (0.5 kg * g * L/2) + (1 kg * g * L) = 1.25 * g * L/2. Where _g_ is the acceleration due to gravity, and L is the length of the stick.

In Case B, the torque due to the weights is (1 kg * g * L/2) + (0.5 kg * g * L) = 1.25 * g * L/2.

Final Answer