Balancing Broom 02-07-15

 
Balancing Broom

If you balanced a broom horizontally on your finger, so that your finger was exactly on the broom's center of gravity, marked that spot and cut the broom in two, then you would have a long and a short piece. The long piece being most of the handle and the short piece being the bristle end and a small part of the handle. Now what will happen if you weigh both pieces? (pick all that apply)

A) The short piece will weigh more.

B) The long piece will weigh more.

C) Both will weigh the same.

D) Your mom will find out and hit you with both pieces!

(Scoll Down for Solution)

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Hint:

Think about two kids on a see-saw. Where does the heavy kid have to sit to balance the see-saw with his smaller friend?.

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Solution

A) The short piece will weigh more!

This is due to the torque needed to hold the long piece up. It is the same reason a heavy kid has to sit closer in on a see-saw when he is on it with a lighter friend.

Oh yeah, D) may also be correct depending on your mother's temperament.