Weights of 600g and 2.4kg are suspended at the ends of the lever in equilibrium.

Weights of 600g and 2.4kg are suspended at the ends of the lever in equilibrium. Distance from fulcrum to greater force = 18cm. Determine the length of the arm.

m1 = 600 grams = 0.6 kilograms – the mass of the smaller load;

m2 = 2.4 kilograms – the mass of a larger load;

l2 = 18 centimeters = 0.18 meters – the distance from the fulcrum to the larger load.

It is required to determine L (meter) – the length of the lever.

Since the problem statement is not specified, we assume that the lever itself has no weight. Then, we find the distance from the fulcrum to the smaller load:

F1 * l1 = F2 * l2;

m1 * g * l1 = m2 * g * l2, where g is the acceleration of gravity;

m1 * l1 = m2 * l2;

l1 = m2 * l2 / m1 = 2.4 * 0.18 / 0.6 = 0.72 meters.

Then the length of the lever will be:

L = l1 + l2 = 0.72 + 0.18 = 0.9 meters.

Answer: The arm length is 0.9 meters.