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Physics
Balancing a lever
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Lever balance
Preparing the balance…
Drag from the tray to a mark
0 s
Select an object on the plank to change its position.
No objects on the plank
The plank can rotate freely
- Left
- 0kg·m
- Right
- 0kg·m
Compare the sum of m × d on each side. d is the distance along the plank from the pivot; both sides share the same geometric factor.
Tilt angle
Model notes
- The plank has mass and uses simplified rotational motion for observation; do not use this motion to measure a real moment of inertia.
- Objects snap to marks 0.25 m apart, excluding the pivot. For the same mass, a larger distance has a greater turning effect.
- Supports can hold the plank level even when the moments do not balance. The sum m × d is measured in kg·m, not torque in N·m.
- People, blocks and colours identify objects; unknown masses can be inferred by balancing.